Q: What is the main difference between the Personal Physician and general primary care practices?
A: The Personal Physician provides our patients with solutions to their current healthcare frustration. By offering comprehensive concierge medical service, The Personal Physician provides patients with focused, comprehensive, preventative medical care. No longer will you have to sit in a waiting room, schedule appointments months in advance or be ignored by a physician that doesn’t have the time to listen.
Q: What does this service cost?
A: Annual adult membership fees can be as little as $6.58 a day. Payment may be made on an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis via any major credit card or check. You may even be eligible for a pre-tax Flex Spending account through your company.
Q: Does my insurance cover the annual enrollment fee?
A: Commercial insurance plans do not cover the Personal Physician enrollment fee. However, we recommend that you continue to keep your current insurance coverage for prescriptions, hospital services and specialty care as those services are not covered by this program. If your company offers a Health Services Account (a.k.a. Flex Spending Account) you may be eligible for full or partial reimbursement toward your membership fee. Also, some plans award pre-tax reimbursement for medical services provided outside of traditional insurance coverage.
Q: I am a Medicare patient. How does my insurance plan apply to this program?
A: Although Medicare rules and guidelines are quite complicated, The Personal Physician welcomes all Medicare recipients.
Q: How do I reach my doctor after hours?
A: You will be provided your physician’s personal cell phone and/or pager in case of emergency after hours. You will also be provided your physician’s personal e-mail address for any non-emergent issues or questions that may arise. You have a three person team assign to your health which you will have contact numbers and information for in your Personal Physician enrollment packet.
Q: What happens when my doctor gets sick or is on vacation?
A: At the times when your personal physician is unavailable, another assigned physician who is trained in your medical history will be available to treat you. Your Personal Physician will always be available by phone, however, to help facilitate your care.
Q: When can I schedule appointments?
A: You can schedule regular appointments at any time, via your own executive coordinator, Ty Countess. Because many patients are busy and time-pressured, your VIP program allows for the convenience of same day appointments. Canceling and rescheduling is never a problem as the schedule is designed to work around the needs of our patients. We do ask for 24-hours notice regarding any cancellation, however.
Q: What do I do when I need a specialist?
A: If requested, The Personal Physician, Dr. DePrince and support staff will coordinate your care with specialists, allowing for expedited appointments and timely follow-up. In complicated cases, your personal physician or executive coordinator will even accompany you to your specialist appointment.
Q: In case of an emergency, what do I do?
A: The Personal Physician is available for house or office calls, if medically necessary for acute illness. In the event of an emergency where hospitalization is required, your physician will facilitate your care ensuring you receive prompt and proper treatment. From meeting you at the hospital, checking on you throughout the day and following up with hospital staff or specialists on tests or exams, Dr. DePrince will continue to provide optimal care during your hospital stay.
Q: I spend 6 months out of the year out of the area. Is it still a benefit to sign up?
A: Yes. If you spend a lengthy period away from our practice, through careful selection your physician will coordinate your care with the best physicians and hospitals in your area. Additionally, your physician will have the ability to send your medical records to any physician or hospital in the world, immediately upon request. Most importantly, you will still have the opportunity to be cared for by a physician that is dedicated to your well being, regardless of your residence.
Q: What if I decide to end my relationship with The Personal Physician?
A: You may cancel your membership at anytime. There is no penalty for early termination.
Q: Why should I enroll in The Personal Physician VIP program?
A: If you are a patient who values your time, has a serious interest in both short-term and long term health, and desires personal, individualized care from your physician, concierge medicine is ideal for you. The Personal Physician offers superior patient care by accommodating you, your busy schedule and your individual medical requirements. Whether you have a chronic condition that demands a lot of time, patience, and attention or live an active lifestyle and strive to maintain your health through preventive care, The Personal Physician offers features and benefits to meet your healthcare needs.
The Personal Physician is not an insurance plan. The Personal Physician does not replace your traditional insurance plan. All members of The Personal Physician are required to pay an annual program / membership fee that is paid for separately and independently from your traditional insurance plan.
The Personal Physician and Commercial Insurance Plans
If you are insured by a commercial insurance plan (Blue Cross Blue Shield, Personal Choice, CIGNA, Keystone, Aetna, United Health, Oxford or other health insurance programs) it is recommended that you maintain your health insurance. The following services are not paid for through your annual enrollment with The Personal Physician and require insurance or direct payment:
- Hospital Care
- Specialist Care
- Lab Services (if done outside of affiliated physician’s office)
- Prescriptions
All visits to The Personal Physician, Dr. DePrince are paid for through your annual membership and do not require additional insurance payment (i.e., co-pay or deductible).
The Personal Physician and Medicare
The Personal Physician welcomes all Medicare recipients. If you are a Medicare recipient and Medicare is your primary health insurer, The Personal Physician recommends you maintain your Medicare insurance. You will need to continue to use Medicare for any visits or services that are not provided by the Personal Physician (see list above). The Personal Physician has voluntarily agreed not to be compensated by Medicare for services rendered. If Medicare is your primary insurance, your only expense will be The Personal Physician program fee. You will NOT be billed for individual office visits / procedures by the Personal Physician. Additionally, you will NOT be responsible for any Medicare co-pay or deductible when you visit the Personal Physician. (You will be responsible for co-pays or deductibles if you are in need of medical services outside of your affiliated physician’s medical office).
The Personal Physician and Consumer Directed Health Plans
If you are covered by a Consumer Directed Health Plan including a Health Savings Account, a Health Reimbursement Arrangement or a Flex Spending Account, The Personal Physician concierge medicine is generally reimbursable through these plans. Please consult a Personal Physician executive coordinator, Ty Countess and your Human Resources department for details on reimbursement arrangements.
The Personal Physician and HMO and POS Plans
The Personal Physician accepts all HMO/POS (point-of-service) patients as a non-HMO/POS provider. As an out of network provider for all HMO/POS plans, the Personal Physician has voluntarily agreed not to be compensated by HMO/POS plans for services rendered. If your primary insurance is HMO/POS, your only expense will be the Personal Physician program fee. You will NOT be billed for individual office visits/procedures by the Personal Physician. Additionally, you will NOT be responsible for HMO/POS co-pays or deductible payments when you visit the Personal Physician. (You will be responsible for co-pays or deductibles if you are in need of medical services outside of your affiliated physician’s medical office). Please consult with the Personal Physician regarding referrals to medical facilities outside of the Personal Physician office.
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