Question 1

What is Direct Primary Care?

Accepted Answer

Direct primary care is a direct relationship between patient and physician.  Dr. Law’s primary focus is on you and your health.  Affordable monthly membership fees cover the vast majority of primary care services in our office.  We offer both affordable and personal care.  We are a caring and compassionate type of office that puts the patient first and allows for a more personalized healthcare experience.

Question 2

How many times I can be seen under this Direct Primary Care agreement with this office?

Accepted Answer

You may be seen as often as you like. There are no limitations to the number of visits.

Question 3

How long is the wait to get an appointment?

Accepted Answer

Usually you can be seen the same day or the next day.  Also, Telemedicine (videoconferencing) is available.

Question 4

Do I still need health insurance?

Accepted Answer

We highly recommend that you do have insurance to comply with Federal Law.  HarmonyMD does not replace insurance as we are a membership plan and do not qualify as a health insurance policy and ideally we encourage our patients to carry a high deductible or major medical plan or a plan with a health savings account, thereby ensuring financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. You may also look into Faith Based plans that will also qualify for the Affordable Care Act and will help pay your membership fee up to $60 in some instances and therefore you only owe $25.00/mo to HarmonyMD/Dr. Law for the membership plan.  You should consult with your insurance provider to help you find a plan that works best with our medical model and that will meet your specific needs.

Question 5

Will my insurance pay for the enrollment fee?

Accepted Answer

No, The enrollment fee is separate from any fees paid to or by your insurance company. The patient is personally responsible for this fee.

Question 6

What services are Non-Covered?

Accepted Answer

Chronic anti-anxiety or ADD/ADHD medication
Chronic pain management
Specialist Care
Immunizations
Pathology Fees
Lab Work
Surgical Procedures
ER Visits
Radiological Studies
Physical Therapy

Question 7

Can I walk in without an appointment?

Accepted Answer

It is best to call us first so we can make sure you are not waiting a long time to be seen.  We would like to make sure all of your concerns are addressed in a relaxed atmosphere.  Also, we can save you time and money because a telemedicine visit (videoconferencing) may be sufficient.

Question 8

Can I still just pay per visit without becoming a Member?

Accepted Answer

No, in order to provide continuity of care we are requiring all cash-paying patients to become a member.  In the past, there continued to be constant management of the patient i.e. discussion of labs, follow-up of procedures, medication refills, pre-authorizations, etc. and the patient did not want to pay the cost/visit and this resulted in inadequate care on the part of the patient.

Question 9

What if I miss paying my membership fee, can I still be seen?

Accepted Answer

No.  It is understood in the signed contract that all members will not be scheduled for a patient appointment until the membership fees have been paid up through or beyond the desired appointment.

Question 10

If I already pay for Health Insurance, why would I join your membership plan?

Accepted Answer

If you have a high deductible health insurance plan and have a large deductible, then you have to pay full price no matter where you go for medical care.  For ex. If your plan’s deductible is $1500, this means for most services you are required to pay 100% of your medical and pharmacy bills until the amount you pay reaches $1500.  After that payment is reached then you share the cost with your insurance plan by paying coinsurance and copays.  Coinsurance can be 20% or more of your office visits.  So, if your office visit is $150 and your coinsurance is 20% that is $30 + $30 for your copay = $60 and up per visit.  But, many plans have >$5,000 deductible and that is usually not reached each year.  We have had patients in the past with insurance go to an urgent care facility and get bills >$400/visit.  Our goal is to help you avoid or minimize severe or chronic conditions that trigger high out of pocket costs.   Improved access to your own personal physician can lead to better health outcomes.  Many of our patients discover that our reduced prices for labs, imaging, medication, etc are MUCH LESS than using their own insurance!

Question 11

Is this concierge medicine?

Accepted Answer

No.  However, the terms are often used interchangeably.  Direct Primary Care physicians do not bill insurance for those enrolled in the membership plan.  Concierge Medicine and Direct Primary Care Offices’ main focus is the patient.  The main difference between the two is the cost and billing structure.  Concierge Medicine physicians tend to have higher annual retainers typically >$1500 per year.  Direct primary care offices tend to have very affordable monthly fees which tend to be <$125/mo and generally do not bill insurance for other services that they may provide.  It is important to note that both Concierge Medicine and Direct Primary Care offices both strive to put the patient first by listening to their concerns in a non-rush-type of environment and making the patient feel like they are a VIP.

Question 12

Are the membership fees eligible for HSA (Health Spending Accounts) or FSA (flexible spending accounts) reimbursement?

Accepted Answer

Please consult your tax advisor for guidance on your particular circumstances.  But, many patients across the country are finding out that their Direct Primary Care fees are reimbursable through their HSA or FSA.

Question 13

Once I become a member will you bill my insurance plan for office visits?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Law is considered an “out of network” provider and does not have a contract with your insurance company.  Also, membership fees are not reimbursable.

Question 14

What is the co-pay for each visit?

Accepted Answer

Good News!  There is NO co-pay for each visit.

Question 15

What do I do in the case of an Emergency?

Accepted Answer

In the event of a medical emergency, patients are advised to call 911 prior to calling our office to begin evaluation and treatment as soon as possible.  In certain medical situations you will be advised to seek treatment in the Emergency Room.  Dr. Law does not directly admit patients to the hospital.  Please let us know if you are admitted as we always want to be involved in the continuity of your care.

Question 16

What are the Covered Services?

Accepted Answer

Management of Chronic Illness (Diabetes, Hypertension, Thyroid, High Cholesterol, etc.)
Comprehensive Physical
Sports/ School Physical
Acute Visits Dr. Law will be available to you by phone, text, email or telemedicine.  
Preventive Care
Nebulizer Treatments
Joint Injections
Antibiotic Injections
Steroid Injections
Laceration Repair
Skin Biopsies
Exercise Recommendations
Dietary/ Nutritional Counseling
Ear Wax Removal
1 B-12 shot/mo.

Question 17

How do I pay the membership fee?

Accepted Answer

You will be directed to a 3rd party website via our link.  
We accept fees paid annually by cash, check, debit or credit card.
We accept fees paid monthly by automatic bank debit (ACH authorization) or credit card.

Question 18

Can the membership fee be cancelled at anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes. However, please be mindful when you sign up you are agreeing to a 3-month minimum time period and you are responsible for that time period and those fees are not reimbursable.  Please make sure you read the contract thoroughly.  The enrollment fee of $99 is also nonrefundable.  Due to the fact Dr. Law has tried the Direct Primary Care model since 2012 and has learned a lot from the mistakes made when patients would sign up and get a complete physical exam, medications refill, etc and then cancel their membership plan.  Policies have been put in place to avoid these types of mishaps in the future which cost the practice a lot of money.  Also, once a patient has cancelled their membership it is understood that the patient will not return back to the practice.  There is a $500.00 reinstatement fee if allowed to come back to the office.

Question 19

What if Dr. Law is out of the office or on vacation?

Accepted Answer

Well if you know Dr. Law she is rarely out of the office or on vacation due to the fact she absolutely loves her job.  The exception is when she attends meetings across the country keeping up with the latest and bringing the information back to her patients.  But, in the event this should occur the patient will be notified via our e-mail messaging system that another health care provider will be available to cover all messages.

Question 20

I am an Employer, can I sign up my employees for your membership plan?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely.  We will schedule an appointment with the employer first and then schedule a meeting with the employees making sure this is a great fit for their needs.  Also, we recommend the employer meets with their financial planner and insurance provider to make sure this will be a right fit for their business.

Frequently asked questions