Frequently Asked Questions
-
Please refer to the Prices Page to see the current costs and the benefits of that membership.
-
Some services may not be included in the membership and may have an additional fee. These can include certain laboratory tests, imaging, medications, procedures, or services provided outside the practice.
I will explain any applicable costs before services are provided whenever possible.
-
Membership benefits include:
Comprehensive primary care visits
Preventive and wellness care
Chronic condition management
Annual wellness visits
Convenient appointments when available
Tele-health visits
Secure messaging or email for non-urgent matters
Text or phone to me for urgent or non-urgent matters.
Personalized health planning
Coordination with specialists and other healthcare providers
-
Getting started is simple:
Schedule a complementary visit at the appointment page. There is a $50 dollar reservation fee that is returned after the appointment. If you don’t show up however, the fee is forfeit.
Meet with myself and learn how the practice works.
Complete your membership enrollment.
Schedule your first comprehensive visit.
-
Yes. Telehealth appointments may be available for appropriate medical concerns, follow-ups, and wellness needs.
-
I strive to make appointments convenient and accessible for my members. Depending on availability and the nature of your concern, appointments may be available the same day or the next day.
-
Definitely. In order to provide the best care to all of my patients, I have a strict limit of 150 patients total.
-
Direct Primary Care and membership is not and does not provide any emergency services.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
-
I do not accept nor do I bill insurance for anything. I do not accept Medicare nor Medicaid, and I am unable to provide any primary care services for any individual with or eligible for either of these insurance plans.
However, you may still choose to maintain health insurance for services outside our practice, such as specialists, hospital care, emergency services, imaging, and other services not included in your membership.
-
Yes. Many people maintain health insurance while also participating in a Direct-Primary-Care (DPC) practice. Health insurance can provide coverage for services outside the DPC practice, while your DPC membership provides access to your primary care team according to the practice's membership agreement.
-
No. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a primary care service and membership model, not health insurance. A DPC membership generally does not replace coverage for hospitalization, emergency care, specialty care, or other services outside the practice.
-
Yes, there is a 5% discount on the membership fee that are paid on-time, in-full, and in cash or check.
This discount does not apply if you pay late. However, if you feel you have a special circumstance, feel free to discuss with me.
-
No, but there is a 5% discount for paying your membership fee with cash or check if you pay it in full and on-time.
-
No. Optimantra stores the last 4 digits, but not whole the number. The credit card processor (FiServ) stores the whole number on their system, which I don’t have access to.
-
Yes. I take the privacy and security of your health information seriously and follow applicable privacy requirements.
-
Direct Primary Care is a membership-based approach to healthcare that allows you to have ongoing, personalized access to your primary care provider without relying on insurance for routine primary care services. DPC practices, like this, focuses on longer visits, preventive care, wellness, and understanding your needs.
I believe that the physician-patient relationship should be cooperative. Instead of the physician telling you, as the patient, what to do, I provide advice based on my skills and education, and then we can discuss and choose how we implement that plan.
I also believe that every person is in-charge of their own bodies and their health. Insurance and other middle-men should not dictate how care is chosen and delivered.
-
Members pay a recurring fee in exchange for access to a defined range of primary care services. Most of my memberships include office visits, preventive care, chronic disease management, same-day or next-day appointments, and telehealth services. Of course, during your membership period you will have on-going communication with me for non-emergency questions between appointments.
-
Wellness care focuses on helping you maintain and improve your overall health—not simply treating illness when it occurs. Depending on your individual needs, wellness care addresses nutrition, physical activity, fluid intake, sunlight and outside time, temperance, sleep, stress management, preventive screenings, healthy habits, and other aspects of long-term health.
I believe that the principles of NEWSTART (www.newstart.com) are important to help us achieve the best possible long-term outcomes, regardless of where we are in our personal medical journey.
-
Yes. Direct Primary Care provides ongoing management for many common chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, thyroid conditions, and others.
I will work with you to develop an individualized care plan and coordinate specialty care when needed.
-
Members can communicate with me easily via multiple channels.
If non-urgent then
If urgent, but NOT an emergency then
This will allow me adequate time to address your questions thoroughly and appropriately between appointments.
If you have a true emergency, you should go to your local emergency room or call 911 immediately.
-
Yes. Preventive care is an important part of my approach. Depending on your age, health history, and individual risk factors, preventive care may include wellness visits, screenings, health counseling, and monitoring of important health measures.
I believe in the NEWSTART (www.newstart.com) principles for the best long-term positive impact on anyone’s health, regardless of where they are in their personal health journey.
-
No. However, recommendations for vaccines can be provided and then they can be obtained at most CVS locations, with an appointment (https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/get-vaccinated).
Vaccines that CVS carries include:
COVID-19
Yearly flu
Hepatitis B
HPV
Meningitis
MMR
Mpox
Pneumococcal
Polio
RSV
Shingles
Tdap
Varicella
-
Yes. I can work with you on practical, individualized strategies related to nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, weight management, and other lifestyle factors that may support your overall health.
-
I can address many common, non-emergency medical concerns. However, Direct Primary Care is not a replacement for emergency services.
For symptoms that may represent a medical emergency, call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately.
-
Yes, I am currently accepting new patients.
Membership availability may vary.
-
No, not directly. But the same healthy habits we should have as adults are learned as children. I am happy to discuss your children with you, but I have no formal training with anyone less than 16.
-
Unfortunately, due to the current Medicare rules, I am not able to provide any primary-care services to Medicare or Medicare-eligible patients.
This includes anyone >65 years old, end-stage renal disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease), or some disabilities.
-
I can help coordinate specialty care when appropriate. I can also help you understand your care plan and communicate relevant information with other members of your healthcare team.
-
I can provide guidance and, when appropriate, telehealth support while you are traveling. Care that requires an in-person evaluation or emergency treatment may need to be provided by a local healthcare facility.
-
If you have questions about membership, services, pricing, or whether Direct Primary Care is right for you. Call me at 706-406-8170 or email me at DrTuel@redclaywellness.com or schedule an introductory visit.