What is actually included in a DPC membership? If you are considering joining a membership-based primary care practice like mine, this DPC membership included question is usually one of the first things people ask, and it is a fair one. A flat monthly fee only makes sense once you know exactly what it covers.
I see patients of all ages at my office in White Post, just outside Stephens City, and I welcome families from across Frederick, Clarke, and Warren Counties and Jefferson County, WV.
Unlimited Visits, No Extra Charge
Your membership covers unlimited visits, whether that is a wellness check, a same day concern, or a longer conversation about a chronic condition. There are no copays and no per visit charges. Visits typically run thirty to sixty minutes, so there is room to actually address everything on your list instead of being rushed out the door after fifteen minutes.
Direct Access to Your Physician
Members can reach me directly through secure messaging, with same or next day response during business hours for acute concerns. There is no phone tree and no waiting on hold. If something comes up, you are talking to me, not a triage nurse working from a script.
Preventive Care and Chronic Disease Management
Adult and well child checks, chronic disease screening, nutrition and weight loss support, family planning, and school or sports physicals are all included as part of membership. So is ongoing management of common chronic conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, asthma, anxiety, and depression.
Urgent Concerns and Procedures
Membership also covers care for urgent issues like colds and flu, sinus and ear infections, rashes, strep throat, and minor injuries. A number of in office procedures are included as well, such as incision and drainage, Nexplanon and IUD placement, pap smears, minor biopsies, and minor laceration repair.
DPC Membership Included Coverage: What’s Not There
To be transparent, labs and imaging are a separate cost and not included in the monthly membership fee. That said, members get access to discounted rates through partnerships with local businesses, so this is still typically far less expensive than what you would pay running the same labs through insurance.
Is This Right for You?
Direct primary care membership is open to everyone. Keep in mind that DPC is not a replacement for health insurance. While your primary care needs are covered by membership, you still need coverage for prescriptions, specialist visits, emergencies, and hospitalizations. For young, healthy individuals, DPC pairs well with a lower cost high deductible plan or a health share for meaningful savings.
If you live near Stephens City, Winchester, or Front Royal and are curious whether membership makes sense for your family, a complimentary Meet and Greet is a low pressure way to get your questions answered before you decide.
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