What is Value?

The Direct Primary Care (DPC) Model is new to most of you in this area. As such, I have been asked to explain the fee structure and what the value is for your dollar. I have reflected on this and I have done my best to remove emotions from the examination of my value. That is difficult for a people pleaser, who wants to make everyone happy. Most significantly the fact that I cannot make everyone happy. The next important fact is that value is different for everyone. So I have set out to describe what I find to be the value in membership here at WHOLEhealth MHK, and with DPC in general. 

What you get with this practice:

1. The no brainer to me: 24/7 access to your PHYSICIAN, via email, text and/or phone. In this world of instant messaging, I get all of your emails, texts and messages in real time. If the question is not of an urgent manner, I will get back to you during business hours, but if you have an urgent need or emergency, I’m just a phone call away. 

2. Excellent access to affordable lab prices for routine labs through negotiated price sets. You can still use your insurance if you have it and have good coverage, or use my pricing.

3. Access to discounts on professional grade supplements through FULLSCRIPT and WHOLESCRIPT, with access to frequent sales.

4. The hookup with local and regional alternative and complementary providers, including acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, spiritual counseling, lymphatic treatment, integrative physical therapy, muscle testing/kinesiology, craniosacral and many more. 

5. A compassionate staff that consists of a physician with training in Family Medicine with a background in emergency, intensive care, perinatal patient care (I do not do prenatal care or  manage pregnancy but can help you have a healthy conception and pregnancy), oncology, hospice and outpatient care, with the icing on the cake being a certificate in Integrative Medicine and current training through Institute for Functional Medicine. A skilled RN with a heart for education, safe care, and communication, with a background in critical care. She also has experience with military nursing across multiple scopes. Our Office Manager has heartfelt enthusiasm and desire to make this practice your medical home with the emphasis on organization and follow through. We are working to develop our flow after working together this last month. We also are fortunate to have in house access to a mental health therapist with a very broad scope of skills. 

6. A referral base for other DPC based specialists, imaging centers and procedures if you do not have insurance coverage, and access to the local health systems for your needs if you do have insurance. 

7. An inclusive environment accepting of all beliefs, as long as the same respect is offered to all. 

What we are not:

1. We are not a concierge service (I call this beck and call). I do not double dip like concierge services (they bill you a ton and then bill the insurance). Their prices are generally upward of $3000/year per person for services, and the expectation is they will drop everything and come to you. They generally have a very small patient panel. 

2. We do not bill insurance. That means when I do a prior auth or send a letter to insurance, I do it because I want to help you utilize what you have access to. I cannot spend hours fighting with insurance however. I will try once (as it says in the terms and conditions).

3. We are not pushy. I will not pursue you or ask you to come back all the time if you are doing well. I will have expectations that you will follow up appropriately and reach out to me if you need me, and don’t be surprised if I check in on you if I have not seen you in awhile. I will promise to offer guidance and support to you along your journey, but cannot do more work than you are willing to do for yourself. 

4. We are not perfect. We strive to improve daily and learn from our mistakes and welcome constructive criticism.