General Questions:
What is Direct Primary Care? Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an alternative payment model that allows transparency between the doctor and patient. The DPC model allows doctors to practice medicine without worrying about the escalating documentation demands and administrative intrusions that come with accepting insurance. Insurance companies have incessant, ever-changing requirements they impose on physicians, which alters a physician's care. Without bureaucracy constrains of insurance, we are able to spend more time listening to patients. We are also able to eliminate unnecessary costs and pass those savings on to you! We provide a system that is cost saving and compassionate. in a timely and transparent way.
Is Core Health the same as Concierge Medicine? No. Concierge medicine charges a retainer fee and also bills insurance. We will not be billing insurance as your subscription fee will cover all of our medical services (excluding labs and some imaging).
Why are you doing this? We want to serve our community in a way that will matter. At Core Health, we can develop real relationships with patients by being able to spend more time with and giving them our full attention. You can expect appointments to be on time and your health concerns addressed in a way that is best for you rather than what is best for the insurance company. Traditional care increases costs and decreases patient care. Better access to your physician equals better health outcomes for patients.
Who does Core Health work best for? - Patients who want to take charge of their healthcare. - Patients who want to make healthcare decision without government or insurance interference. - Patients who want a real relationship with their doctor. - Patients who value wellness and want to stay healthy - Patients with high deductible insurance policies. - Patients who make too much income to qualify for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. -Patients who are self employed. - Patients who receive little benefit from their current insurance company. - Patients who prefer to pay cash for their medical services
Does Core Health see patients of all ages? Yes! We see patients of all ages, including pediatrics, teens, adults, and geriatrics!
How do I get childhood vaccinations? We value vaccinations and think it is an important part of your child's health. At this time, we are asking you to go to the county health department to get your vaccines.
Is my private information ever shared with anyone? No. Core Health will never share any patient information with a third party unless you specifically ask us to do so or we are presented with a lawful subpoena or search warrant.
How do you work with specialists / referrals? Although DPC patients are less likely to be referred to specialists, there are cases when a referral is needed. Core Health is well connected and will find the right fit for you, coordinate your care across the system, and work within your insurance network, if applicable.
Membership Questions:
What does the membership include? Your first visit will include an initial health evaluation. As part of this process, the doctor will have a conversation with you to understand your health needs and any concerns you may have. You will then have numerous office services covered and direct access to your doctor. If you need an appointment, we will work extremely hard to grant you a same-day or at least, the next day with low wait times in office. The following are included free of charge: Annual physicals / wellness exams, Well Child exams, Sports and School physicals, Basic office procedures, Treatment of illnesses and injuries. You will also get access to over 1,000 prescription medications for FREE. Labs will be offered at super low, wholesale pricing.
What if I want to cancel my membership? You may cancel your membership at any time, but you will have to pay the enrollment fee again if you decide to re-activate your membership.
Are there different plans for someone who visits twice a year vs. someone who has a chronic illness and comes in frequently? No. We do not offer different plans. The fee for service (FFS) model and value based care (VBC) models that currently exists in traditional medicine is one of the main reasons it is so hard to see your doctor regularly. If the payment structure is based on when a patient comes in, then the goal for a doctor is to turn everything into an "office visit". Most health concerns can be triaged over the phone. We want to allow patients to have the peace of mind that comes from quality healthcare without feeling nickel-and-dimed every time they want to reach out to their doctor. Note: If you do not have a membership, then you will be charged the non-member, one-time-visit fee as follows: Non-member one-time visit: $185. - Additional diagnostic fees may apply. - All fees will be disclosed prior to any treatment decisions to allow you to make an informed decision.
Will I benefit from Core Health if I don't require frequent medical attention? Yes! Preventative medicine is the best way to stay health any avoid crippling medical debt. Under the current model, most people do not visit their doctor unless they are experiencing significant pain or dealing with a long term medical condition. At Core Health, you can seek help from a Board Certified Physician specialist at any time instead of asking Dr. Google and sifting through the opinions of keyboard warriors.
If I call in for an emergency, how long will it take for me to talk to a doctor? Our nursing staff is trained to triage all incoming calls. Any emergency related calls are given the highest priority and the doctor is quickly notified.
Is Core Health available for businesses? Yes! Please reach out on the business service page to inquire about pricing for your business.
Will my membership automatically renew? Yes.
Cost Questions:
Can I come in for a one-time-visit and pay cash without a membership? Yes. You will be charged the following for the visit: $185 (plus diagnostic fees). Any follow up visit: $150. All fees will be disclosed before testing is performed.
When do I pay my fees for non-covered procedures and labs? Extra-ordinary fees are paid at the time the procedure is performed.
What about the cost for labs? We have negotiated a significant discount on labs compared to what you are charged at a typical medical office.
Can I use a Credit Card? Yes and you can use your bank information for ACH direct payment. The preferred method for payment is ACH as it helps us keep our prices low for you. However, we want this to be convenient. So, make the choice that is best for you.
Outside the Office Questions:
Does Core Health see nursing home patients? We are committed to providing quality healthcare at all stages of life.
What if I am hospitalized? We have a good working relationship with hospitals in Fort Smith and Northwest Arkansas. We can be involved in your hospital care and advocate for a healthcare plan that you feel comfortable with at the time. We will also explain the different options available to you and the risk(s) associated with each choice to help you make the best decision for your healthcare. Hospital visits are often stressful and the process can be complicated. We are committed to doing all we can to make it as painless as possible.
Can I really call my doctor any time? Yes! The phone line goes directly to the physician for after hours needs. This includes holidays and weekends.
What if I need to call my doctor while I am out of town? We have experience with tele-medicine and with diagnosing over the phone. We can send prescriptions to a nearby pharmacy. Of course, we can also advise if you need to seek in-person care. Note: Certain state laws prohibit telemedicine services and prescription services across state lines.
Insurance Questions:
Do I still need Insurance? Although Core Health does not require insurance for anyone visiting our clinic, we recommend that everyone obtain a high deductible, catastrophic, insurance plan. Today, there are several options such as Liberty Healthshare, Medi-share, Health Ministries, Zion Healthshare, etc. that work well with our model.
What if I want to keep my current insurance, can I still use it? In order to keep our costs low and our standard of care high, Core Health does not accept insurance for our services in office. We will try to work wit your insurance to submit any imaging orders (that cannot be done in office) and medication(s) accordingly.
Why do you not accept insurance? In our experience, 90% of the things done in a family medicine care office do not require insurance. With an insurance free model, we can provide better care and lower costs for you. Taking out the middleman and all the restrictions (and hurdles) put on by insurance companies, doctors and patients can form real relationships that build trust and create better medical outcomes.
I have insurance. Why joint a DPC? Health insurances does NOT equal health care. With better access to your doctor in a DPC model, we believe your health and overall wellness will benefit. Health insurance may not cover as much as you think, leading to unexpected bills. DPC Pricing is transparent.
Can the membership be eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement? There are circumstances where you may be eligible for HSA or FSA reimbursement. Consult your tax advisor for more guidance.
If I have Medicare, can I join as a patient? Yes.
I only go to the doctor once a year for a physical. Why would I want to join a DPC? DPC is not right for everyone, but even for a yearly physical, within a DPC model, we can spend a lot more time discussing prevention and screening options. We can discuss your overall health and talk about ways to get you healthier, NOT just the "healthy" that insurance relies on with blood work and blood pressure. We will also be available if something does come up between those yearly physicals.