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Bozeman Primary Care

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

DPC is a new and innovative model of healthcare delivery that offers primary and preventive care to patients without the hassles of insurance. There are no copays, deductibles, or hidden fees. You pay a low monthly fee in exchange for an expansive array of primary care services. These services provide convenient and direct access to your provider day or night, longer appointment times, and intensive coordination of care.  See below for specifics.

2. What are the benefits of the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model?

You get a provider that will know you inside and out. DPC providers have far fewer patients on their panels, which means they’ll get to know you and your medical history. This results in more personalized care that focuses on quick resolution of acute issues, effective management of chronic illnesses, and education and prevention around living a healthier life. You get all this and the services that our clinic has to offer for one low monthly membership fee. Plus, unparalleled access to your provider through phone, text, video chat and email day and night. For a full list of services click here.

3. What does the DPC membership fee include?

The DPC membership covers a whole host of primary care services that you would expect from your family practice provider. A complete list can be found here. Wellness visits, urgent care visits, office procedures, well child visits, sports physicals… and much more! It also covers all direct communication with your provider: phone, text, video chat, or email.

4. Is this concierge medicine?

Maybe. Some would say this model is “Concierge for the Masses”. You get many of the same services and benefits as you would expect from a concierge practice for a lower price tag.

5. Why would I pay “extra” fees for my healthcare?

Two simple reasons-

  1. Superior service/patient experience
  2. Overall cost savings

Switching to a high deductible insurance plan or a cost sharing plan could save thousands a year. Couple this with a low monthly membership fee, and your total won’t even come close to your annual deductible. This will reduce unnecessary costs, like emergency room visits or specialty consultations, that could have been avoided by getting routine care and having easy access to your provider. Our membership plan will cover 90 plus percent of your medical needs.

6. How can this be so inexpensive?

Insurance companies bundle primary care services with high cost hospitalizations, surgeries, drugs, and emergency room visits that raise the cost for everyone.

7. Will I benefit from Direct Primary Care (DPC) if I don’t visit the doctor often?

Definitely! Everyone will benefit from a medical service tailored directly to you; that’s the genius of this model. It fits your lifestyle. If you’re busy and on the go, we will be there for you with different options to access medical care. Whether it’s a text or a phone call to fit your needs, we’ll be there. When you need us on vacation or if you develop a chronic medical condition and need to know where to turn, we’ll be there. If you just need us to guide you through a proactive, every day, healthy lifestyle, we are here for that as well.

8. How much does the membership cost?

See our prices here. We charge a low, flat monthly fee in exchange for a caring, unrushed provider with unlimited office visit types to fit your schedule, on your terms.

9. What happens if I need to go to a specialist or the hospital?

First off, the main reason to be a Direct Primary Care (DPC) patient in the first place is to prevent those circumstances from occurring. However, when you need it, we will work closely with the specialist or hospitalist and arrange follow up for you in the best manner possible.

10. Do you accept my insurance if I sign up for Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

No – fortunately for both of us. If you sign up for Direct Primary Care (DPC) we will no longer bill your insurance for any services. Perhaps the critical distinction in our model of care centers on a relationship between you and your provider. There is no insurance company deciding on what type of care you receive. This directness carries over to our business model as well. You might use your auto insurance to fix a smashed hood or other major damage but you’d never use it to get an oil change or pay for gas. Unfortunately, health insurance has become something that is being used for the equivalent of oil changes in humans – routine physicals, office visits, simple blood tests etc. We believe there is a better way.

11. Do I still need insurance?

Yes. We recommend that you still carry some form of insurance or health sharing plan. Many Direct Primary Care (DPC) patients couple their membership with a health sharing plan such as Sedera, Liberty Health, or Medi-Share. These health sharing plans are much more cost effective than insurance while being compliant with the everchanging regulations in healthcare.

12. If I have Medicare, can I still be a Direct Primary Care (DPC) member?

Unfortunately, not. At this time Medicare patients cannot sign up for our Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership due to federal regulations. We are happy to see Medicare patients using the traditional insurance model.

13. Is the membership fee eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursements?

Yes. Our fees our generally reimbursable. This is a great way of paying for your healthcare needs through your pre-tax dollars. Please confer with your tax consultant or insurance specialist for specifics.

14. Is Direct Primary Care (DPC) a type of insurance?

No. We are providers who directly contract with our patients to provide primary care services. Our plan is membership based with a low monthly fee, much like a gym membership.

15. Are there exclusions for pre-existing conditions?

No. There are no pre-existing condition exclusions and there is no increase in membership fees based upon your prior health history. In fact, those with chronic health conditions are perfect for Direct Primary Care (DPC). The only exception is that our providers do not prescribe chronic pain medications or chronic controlled substances.

16. What is not included in the membership?

Currently, obstetrical services, specialty consults, blood work other than routine labs, emergency room visits, comprehensive radiology services, major surgeries, and patients needing chronic pain medications or controlled substances are not covered in our DPC model.

17. What about lab work?

Once a year, with your annual wellness exam, your membership includes a broad health panel that will help evaluate your health risks or chronic medical issues. If you need additional bloodwork, we’re contracted with Quest diagnostics here in Bozeman, Montana. They offer Bozeman Primary Care patients a substantially discounted rate. We’ll discuss those costs with you up front if the need arises.

18. What about X-Rays?

If you need an x-ray, we’ve contracted with Big Sky Mobile Imaging. They offer portable x-rays and will meet you wherever you are, (we hope that’s our office) and a board-certified Radiologist to read the x-ray, all for the very affordable package cost of $55.

19. What about additional Imaging

If you need an MRI or additional types of imaging, we’ll use our local partners and discuss with you cost of services.

20. What happens if I need medical attention while I’m away from home?

We are happy to communicate with you through phone, text, video chat or email while you are away. Many times, we are able to help you with your issue and even prescribe a medication through a pharmacy near you to get you by until you are back in town to see us. This can avoid a visit to an urgent care or emergency room in many situations.

21. Do you give immunizations?

No. At this point we have no way to save you money on immunizations. The immunizations at the local pharmacies and Health Department are discounted or free. We’ll make sure at your annual wellness exam/well child visit that you are up-to-date on all immunizations and if you aren’t, we’ll discuss the CDC’s recommendations. We’ll also update our state registry of your immunization status, so all providers and emergency departments are aware of these important records.

22. I’m an employer and am interested in Direct Primary Care (DPC) for my employees.

Please contact us about the benefits to your business including productivity and membership cost savings. To find out more, please email us or call (406) 404-1525.

Watch these great  videos to learn more about DPC for your business:

  • Direct Primary Care (DPC) for your business
  • DPC for You
23. Want to read from other sources about Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
  • FORBES
  • AAFP
  • TIME
  • WRAL
  • USNEWS
  • AARP
24. What do we recommend for the “big stuff,” like hospitalizations?

For the “big stuff,” we recommend a high deductible insurance plan. The primary care model works well for those patients with high deductible insurance plans.

Alternatively, Bozeman Primary Care can help you create an all-inclusive healthcare plan that will meet all your healthcare needs more affordably. We work with independent HealthSharing organizations to offer innovative programs that work well with our Direct Primary Care (DPC) model.

25. How do HealthSharing programs work?

Through a HeathSharing program, the burden of high cost healthcare expenses like hospitalizations, surgeries and specialty consults is shared among like-minded individuals. Patients share montly costs via the HealthShare Program’s own payment system and often see a large cost savings when compared to a conventional insurance plan purchased on the insurance exchange.

When you pair a HealthSharing plan with a Direct Primary Care plan, you have the best of both worlds. Our concierge-level membership plan covers your primary care needs, and the HealthShare organization handles any high cost health catastrophes.

26. Want more information on the top HealthSharing plans in the US?
  • Liberty HealthShare
  • Altrua HealthShare
  • Sedera Health Share
  • Christian Healthcare Ministries
  • Medi-Share
  • Samaritan Ministries

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Bozeman Primary Care
4535 Valley Commons Drive, Suite 104
Bozeman, MT 59718
phone: (406) 404-1525
fax: (406) 548-9777
info@bozemanprimarycare.com
Monday – Friday | 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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