No, it is a newer, unique model termed “Direct Primary Care.” Part of it’s beauty is it’s simplicity. There are 1,000’s of these practices across the country.
The “Direct” means that we contract directly with the patient, not with an insurance company or a big corporate hospital system. We are freed from having to answer to big corporations, who tend to focus on their bottom line, not always on what is best for you as the patient. Thus, we are always free to do what is best for you.
The care you will receive from your physician will be similar to prior interactions, but better! Your appointments will be longer, less rushed. You will find it easier to get an appointment and also easier to communicate with your physician.
We are “Doctors for Adults.” Doctors who practice Internal Medicine are called “Internists.” Internist’s training and experience focuses exclusively on the care of adults – it is not diluted by the study of pediatrics.
No, we offer a limited membership.
No. Direct Primary Care is a cash based, membership based business model. This business model is quite common; typical examples are gym memberships or a Netflix account.
No, we have chosen to opt out of Medicare. But you can still use Medicare for all the services we do not provide.
No.
We only charge $75 to $100 per month, as we want to keep it affordable. There are no other fees associated with our physician services. This is less that most people’s phone bill or cable TV bill! And it gives you outstanding access to your doctor!
Learn more about our Standard Membership.
Yes. We offer a 10% discount if more than one family member signs up for our Full Membership.
No! Your monthly membership fee entitles you to all of the services that your PCP provides. There are no office charges or co-pays. There are no charges for electronic communication either.
Our practice will only have a third to a quarter of the number of patients a typical PCP’s practice. We have far fewer patients, so we have more time for the patients we do serve. This leads to superior service, prompt access, and outstanding communication!
No. We have chosen not to be beholden to any insurance company nor Medicare. However, you are free to pick a PCP from your insurance company’s list but still get the majority of your care with Docs by the Bay.
Honestly, it’s because they need someone to do the paperwork!! Good insurance does NOT equate to good care. Most PCPs are far too busy to focus on any one individual – they are simply responsible for too many patients.
Just because your insurance company lists someone as your PCP, does not mean you have easy access to that individual. As you know, when you call the office of a typical PCP, you can rarely get prompt attention. It is not unusual to be offered an appointment several weeks to months in the future! At Docs by the Bay, our goal is to meet your needs on your time frame, not ours.
Yes. In order for us to provide the outstanding service you deserve, we will limit the number of patients we take on. We will only be a quarter to a third the size of a typical practice.
80% of all interactions with the healthcare system are with a person’s PCP. We provide all the services typically associated with PCPs: Annual physical exams, routine office appointments, urgent health issues, medicine refills, pre-operative evaluations, hospital follow-ups, etc. In addition, you will have the ability to communicate directly with your PCP via text, e-mail, and phone calls – for no additional charge!
Any service provided in another health care facility, such as a hospital, emergency room, diagnostic center, or a consultation with a specialist.
We provide comprehensive adult primary care through our two membership plans (Standard or Limited Membership), including physical exams, routine and urgent visits, medication management, hospital follow-ups, and care coordination with specialists.
We also offer select standalone services for non-members, including DOT physicals and pre-operative examinations.
Yes. We encourage you to get your routine questions answered during normal business hours, but if you have a urgent issue, we are available 24/7. Call 231-881-9054 and you will be connected to your Physician.
Only on a limited, case-by-case basis for patients who are too ill to travel to the office.
Nothing has changed in this regard. Our services only cover outpatient services. The doctors in the hospital will take care of you and then communicate with us so we can assume your care when you are discharged. If we think you need to be hospitalized, we may be able to arrange it and avoid an ER visit.
Yes. There maybe a small fee to draw your blood. We can send your blood wherever you choose, but we have contracted with LabCorp.
Yes. We can draw your blood, and send those samples wherever you choose for processing. We find Quest gives the best price. The lab who processes your blood work will bill your insurance company.
Yes, we strongly advise people to maintain health insurance. Our Membership Fee is NOT insurance. It does not cover hospitalizations, operations, Specialists consultations, diagnostic studies or Emergency Room visits.
This is a legal (tax) question and thus should be directed to your accountant and or lawyer. However, there are experts in this area who believe you can. Apparently, the IRS has never made a formal ruling on this, but there has been discussion in the legislature to get this issue settled. The State of Michigan has acted favorably on the Direct Primary Care business model.
Yes.
Absolutely! We are Internists, who have extensive training in caring for complex medical problems, but if needed, we will maintain a good working relationship with all the best Specialists in the area, and across the state. It is part of our job to help you navigate the health care system to get the best care that is available.
No. But we will strive to see you see you when you have an urgent issue! Our goal is to see you promptly, take care of your urgent issues and keep you out of the Emergency Room or an Urgent Care. We believe you get better care when taken care of by a doctor who knows you. Obviously, there are times that someone is so sick that they require the specialized services only provided at a hospital, and in those circumstances, we may need to send you to the Emergency Room.
If your membership lapses, and then you want to again access our services, we require a $250 reactivation fee. This is only allowed once; if you allow your membership to lapse twice, we may choose not to take you back into this practice. Note, if our practice is full, we will not allow any reactivations.
Yes. When services are needed that we don’t provide, we will always ask you where you want to go for these services. Some people prefer Munson, others prefer McLaren, and others go out of the area. We will strive to maintain all of your current relationships.
Yes, if you prefer a female provider, you can choose to see Morgan Olson, PA-C.
Yes! Direct Primary Care provides affordable primary care with very predictable costs. ‘Surprise charges’ are not an issue. We will always suggest our patients obtain medical insurance, but understand that it is not affordable for some people. People who have an established relationship with a PCP are 65% less likely to go to an Emergency Room, where you can quickly run up your bill into $1,000’s of dollars.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone on our team directly, fill out a contact form or give us a call at +1 231-881-9054.
