"What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?"
DPC is an innovative primary care model of medicine in which the physician-patient relationship is at the heart of how medicine is practiced. DPC practices offer a full range of primary care services for a monthly or annual retainer fee paid directly to the practice.This model of care allows the two people most invested in your health --you and your doctor-- to be in control of your primary health care. This plan results in significant savings: money, paperwork, and time. You are able to see the doctor you want, who will have the time to address your needs at a relaxed pace.
“Is concierge medicine the same as Direct Primary Care?”
"Concierge" or "Boutique" medicine typically refer to medical practices that provide enhanced access similar to Direct Primary Care (same day visits, direct email and phone communication with the physicians) but involve high annual membership fees, sometimes as high as $10,000. The terms are often used interchangeably but Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model focused on putting the patient first. Direct Primary Care clinics don’t accept insurance, rather they choose to work directly with the patient, providing wholesale labs, deeply discounted prescription prices, and other costs savings along the way. By keeping our overhead low, we are able to offer similar services at a fraction of the price.
“How will I know if the doctor at Georgia Direct Family Care is right for me?”
Come get to know us! Schedule a free, unconditional visit to discuss your healthcare needs. This is the best way to begin what we trust will be a long, productive, healthy relationship.
“Does Georgia Direct Family Care accept health insurance?”
No. One of the most important tenants of the Direct Primary Care model is the direct, personal relationship between you and your doctor. We believe there is no reason for any insurer to have a voice about either the quality or the cost of your family’s care. We forgo insurance payments in order to save our patients from the subjective decisions that inevitably follow with third-party payors. Furthermore, this direct fee-for-services arrangement frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent physicians from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications.
"I have good insurance. How is paying a membership fee going to save me money?"
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with what you have been paying for health care. How much is taken out of your paycheck? How much is your monthly premium? What is your copay for office visits? What is your deductible? How much did you spend on health care for your family last year? We’ve done the research: About 75% of our families will save money in Direct Primary Care and will know their costs up front; no more surprise bills from insurance. After you crunch the numbers, feel free to call, email us, or come in (no charge) to discuss further.
“As a patient of Georgia Direct Family Care, will I still need health insurance?”
Yes. We recommend our patients continue a major medical plan with a high deductible and health savings account to ensure financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. We’re happy to refer you to insurance representatives who can help customize an insurance plan to your specific needs.
"What if I need to be referred to a specialist?"
The hope is that by spending more time with your primary care physician, the need to refer you to a specialist will decrease significantly. However, in the event that you do need to be referred to a specialist, Dr. Alan will personally call the specialist on your behalf in order to schedule an expedited appointment.
“Will I benefit from Georgia Direct Family Care if I don’t require frequent medical attention?”
Of course. At Georgia Direct Family Care, we offer truly custom healthcare. Our practice is devoted to the maintenance of your good health and physical well-being. As a member, we are here when you need us. But proactive healthcare is important, and we’re here for that, too. In every aspect of family care, and custom healthcare, we promise accessibility, convenience, and affordability. Our goal is to help you live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
“If I have Medicare, can I still join Georgia Direct Family Care?”
Yes. At Georgia Direct Family Care, we accept patients that are on Medicare; however, we do not bill Medicare, nor can the patient bill Medicare for primary care services that we provide. You need only sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor your doctor will directly bill Medicare for our services. Medicare will still cover any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, referrals to specialists, and hospitalizations.
"Is the doctor really available at any time?"
Ideally, yes. Of course, we are human and can’t guarantee 100 percent availability. That said, a reasonable expectation for availability would be that the doctor returns your call by the end of business day, be available for urgent calls in the evening, and responds by the next business day for emails/texts.
“What if I need medical attention while I’m away from home?”
Because we know you well, we can streamline your care when you’re sick away from home. Many illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with a simple conversation by phone, email, text or webcam. We’ll locate the nearest pharmacy and order the medications most appropriate for your circumstances.
"What if I want to cancel my membership or change practices?"
Normally memberships are for an entire year. However we understand that circumstances do come up. For example, if you move out of state, you may be entitled to a refund of unused months. If you decide to cancel your membership for any other reason, we require thirty (30) days written notice. Once you change practices, we will forward your medical records to your new provider.
DPC is an innovative primary care model of medicine in which the physician-patient relationship is at the heart of how medicine is practiced. DPC practices offer a full range of primary care services for a monthly or annual retainer fee paid directly to the practice.This model of care allows the two people most invested in your health --you and your doctor-- to be in control of your primary health care. This plan results in significant savings: money, paperwork, and time. You are able to see the doctor you want, who will have the time to address your needs at a relaxed pace.
“Is concierge medicine the same as Direct Primary Care?”
"Concierge" or "Boutique" medicine typically refer to medical practices that provide enhanced access similar to Direct Primary Care (same day visits, direct email and phone communication with the physicians) but involve high annual membership fees, sometimes as high as $10,000. The terms are often used interchangeably but Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model focused on putting the patient first. Direct Primary Care clinics don’t accept insurance, rather they choose to work directly with the patient, providing wholesale labs, deeply discounted prescription prices, and other costs savings along the way. By keeping our overhead low, we are able to offer similar services at a fraction of the price.
“How will I know if the doctor at Georgia Direct Family Care is right for me?”
Come get to know us! Schedule a free, unconditional visit to discuss your healthcare needs. This is the best way to begin what we trust will be a long, productive, healthy relationship.
“Does Georgia Direct Family Care accept health insurance?”
No. One of the most important tenants of the Direct Primary Care model is the direct, personal relationship between you and your doctor. We believe there is no reason for any insurer to have a voice about either the quality or the cost of your family’s care. We forgo insurance payments in order to save our patients from the subjective decisions that inevitably follow with third-party payors. Furthermore, this direct fee-for-services arrangement frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent physicians from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications.
"I have good insurance. How is paying a membership fee going to save me money?"
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with what you have been paying for health care. How much is taken out of your paycheck? How much is your monthly premium? What is your copay for office visits? What is your deductible? How much did you spend on health care for your family last year? We’ve done the research: About 75% of our families will save money in Direct Primary Care and will know their costs up front; no more surprise bills from insurance. After you crunch the numbers, feel free to call, email us, or come in (no charge) to discuss further.
“As a patient of Georgia Direct Family Care, will I still need health insurance?”
Yes. We recommend our patients continue a major medical plan with a high deductible and health savings account to ensure financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. We’re happy to refer you to insurance representatives who can help customize an insurance plan to your specific needs.
"What if I need to be referred to a specialist?"
The hope is that by spending more time with your primary care physician, the need to refer you to a specialist will decrease significantly. However, in the event that you do need to be referred to a specialist, Dr. Alan will personally call the specialist on your behalf in order to schedule an expedited appointment.
“Will I benefit from Georgia Direct Family Care if I don’t require frequent medical attention?”
Of course. At Georgia Direct Family Care, we offer truly custom healthcare. Our practice is devoted to the maintenance of your good health and physical well-being. As a member, we are here when you need us. But proactive healthcare is important, and we’re here for that, too. In every aspect of family care, and custom healthcare, we promise accessibility, convenience, and affordability. Our goal is to help you live a longer, happier, and healthier life.
“If I have Medicare, can I still join Georgia Direct Family Care?”
Yes. At Georgia Direct Family Care, we accept patients that are on Medicare; however, we do not bill Medicare, nor can the patient bill Medicare for primary care services that we provide. You need only sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor your doctor will directly bill Medicare for our services. Medicare will still cover any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, referrals to specialists, and hospitalizations.
"Is the doctor really available at any time?"
Ideally, yes. Of course, we are human and can’t guarantee 100 percent availability. That said, a reasonable expectation for availability would be that the doctor returns your call by the end of business day, be available for urgent calls in the evening, and responds by the next business day for emails/texts.
“What if I need medical attention while I’m away from home?”
Because we know you well, we can streamline your care when you’re sick away from home. Many illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with a simple conversation by phone, email, text or webcam. We’ll locate the nearest pharmacy and order the medications most appropriate for your circumstances.
"What if I want to cancel my membership or change practices?"
Normally memberships are for an entire year. However we understand that circumstances do come up. For example, if you move out of state, you may be entitled to a refund of unused months. If you decide to cancel your membership for any other reason, we require thirty (30) days written notice. Once you change practices, we will forward your medical records to your new provider.