Who should join us?

As your primary care physician, my intention is to optimize your heath by thoroughly addressing physical, emotional and nutritional needs. My career dream is to join you or your loved one on the life-health journey at any step of the health lifeline: preventive and nutritional health, health care maintenance, acute illness, chronic illness or the end-of-life experience and hospice care. If this sounds appealing, then you should be part of this medical community.

What is a medical community?

I strive to encourage, build and support a medical community. Have you heard the phrase “It takes a village to raise a child.”? Likewise, a community of individuals with a common aspiration of maintaining good health, will provide an infinite potential of wisdom and resources to each other when provided with the opportunity. Our community will have quarterly meetings with myself, interested members and guest speakers/community health care providers about various health topics. The healing potential of the clinic lies not only in the skills offered by the doctor, but in the untapped potential of the medical community we build.

What are the fees?

I charge a monthly membership fee of $75/month. I do not bill health insurance so there are no copays or deductibles. There are no additional fees for visits to see me. Visits without monthly membership are also available.

Are there additional fees or copayments/deductibles?

There are no additional fees beyond the monthly fee. You are responsible for expenses for labs/imaging/medications/referrals - these should be covered by your insurance. Discounted labs, medications and imaging will be offered if you need.

Do you take insurance?

My clinic is a direct primary care practice. This means the doctor-patient relationship is without outside interference. I work for you, not your insurance company.

Why would I join when my insurance covers primary care?

Most health insurance only offers partial reimbursement for doctor visits. You are responsible for copays, co-insurance and/or deductibles. If you were to visit the doctor several times, these expenses quickly add up. You may see an unfamiliar doctor or go to the urgent care, which can easily empty your pocket. When you become a member of my clinic, I truly become your doctor. I offer direct physician access via phone and email, house calls when appropriate and courtesy hospital visits if you are admitted. By eliminating the middlemen, I have preserved my time to dedicate to your health. I offer such diligent attention that you may feel like you are my only patient. More time also allows for the practice of a wider variety of services such as functional medicine and integrative medicine. In addition, my clinic will offer a community atmosphere with opportunities to hear from various community healers. I believe that a primary care physician should help facilitate this connection between patients and community resources. With a receptive and respectful relationship, we can support each other through both illness and good health. Is there something better you can think of doing with the monthly fee?

Will I still benefit even if I don't go to the doctor very often?

Of course. Maintaining your health is the best way to prevent illness. The current health care system is designed to take care of symptoms of illness. In contrast, I intend to help you maintain your good health and would advise and expect my "healthy" patients to come in for visits at least twice a year to discuss important health maintenance issues such as diet, sleep, mood and exercise. The goal of health care should be to optimize your body for good health and longevity. I am also pursuing training in functional medicine to offer another layer of support to my patients.

What does the membership fee cover?

24/7 direct physician access via telephone and email, courtesy visits at the hospital and/or nursing home when able, quarterly community meetings at the clinic with the doctor/community healers, office visits as needed, same day appointments for urgent needs, home visits within a 10 mile radius when appropriate, Hospice MD care and personal MD coordination of care with other providers involved in your care. You will also have access to wholesale labs and medications, which can offset some out-of-pocket health expense for you.

Won't you be too busy and wind up being too difficult to reach like my regular doctor?

No. The average primary care physician has between 2500 and 4000 patients and sees greater than 125 patients per week. By stepping away from health insurance and corporate offices, I will limit my practice size to <10% of this so that I can provide high quality medical care and always be available to you.

Is my fee tax deductible?

You should be able to use your Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account for your membership fees, however I advise that you contact your health account carrier or tax accountant to verify.

If I don't have insurance will you still see me?

Yes. If you are committed to your health care, I will see you. I accept credit card payments.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes. As an Internal Medicine physician, I can only see adults age 18 and older.

How do I schedule an appointment?

Current patients have my cell phone number to contact me directly. Eventually scheduling will be online, so that you don't need to call to schedule. If you are not a current patient, but are interested in becoming one, please click here.

What if I want to be part of this, but I just can't afford it?

Please look at the Robin Hood page.

What's up with Robin Hood?

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford a monthly membership cost due to financial hardship, emotional or physical disability, or a sudden change in life situation. The Robin Hood wait list is intended for those patients who would like to be a member of this medical community but are unable to afford the membership cost. As donations are received to sponsor a new enrollee, patients will be taken from the Robin Hood wait list. Priority will be given to those patients approaching end of life and needing palliative or hospice care so as to enable a smooth transition to the spiritual realm. This is community supported health care at its best!!!

Does this replace my health insurance?

No. I will provide you with excellent primary care, but you will need health insurance to cover any hospital, emergency department, specialist service, labs, medications and imaging. Since there are no third party payor systems (health insurance) involvement in my clinic, I do have the ability to provide access to labs and some medications at a great discount.

What if I get sick away from home?

Because I will have spent so much time with you at your appointments so that I know you well, and have immediate 24 hours access to your electronic medical records, I can provide excellent consultation services from afar. Using a secure, web based system, your medical records will be available to you wherever there is internet or email access.

What happens if I have an emergency or I am admitted into a hospital?

My clinic is not a substitute for 911. However, I am well connected with the local emergency medicine system and would want to be called after the paramedics are on their way to ensure that you are getting the best of emergency medical care. If you are admitted into a hospital, I want to hear about it as soon as possible so that I can coordinate your care with the admitting hospitalist and provide any additional health history without a gap in your care.

What is Palliative care?

Life is a beautiful gift, and each individual entrance as well as departure from this physical world also harbors potential to be equally beautiful. As physical illness advances and one approaches the limits of modern medicine in improving quality of life, palliative care physicians can guide patients and their families in the transition from diagnosis and treatment focus to a goal of comfort and life quality. Palliative care is often underutilized in patients with advanced lung disease, heart disease and dementia. Most people would prefer to die at home, however, due to the lack of early palliative care involvement, the majority end up dying in the hospital setting. For more information, click here.

Can my small business sign up with your clinic?

My clinic can provide primary care for your employees, keeping them healthy and happy. Excellent health returns a business with fewer sick days, increased employee satisfaction, productivity and overall business success. In fact, your employees may be so happy with their employer-provided health care experience, they may not want to leave their job EVER! The overall health care expenses for patients cared for in my clinic model is markedly less than the typical system - simply because by spending more time listening and providing direct access, there is less need for labs, imaging and even specialist referrals. As a small business myself, I would love to support your business in the best way possible - by providing excellent and cost-effective health care to your workforce!

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