What is direct patient care?

Direct specialty care (DSC) is an innovative model of healthcare that puts the patient first. DSC practices do not bill or file insurance claims. Instead, the patient pays a membership fee directly for the services provided. It creates an enduring and trusting relationship between the patient and their doctor often resulting in cost-savings, less hospital admissions, and increased joy and satisfaction for both parties.

 

 

 

Will it be difficult to see my doctor in a timely fashion?

No, doctors limit the number of patients in their panel which ensures the ability to provide specialized care to each and every patient.

 

How much does an Executive Cardiology Compreshensive Evaluation cost?

$800

This is ideal for a patient in their 30s-60s with a family history of cardiovascular disease or anyone who wants to understand their risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular death
 

What is included in an Executive Cardiology Comprehensive Evaluation?

• We will meet with you and perform a complete evaluation of your cardiovascular health and risk factors.  We will formulate a treatment plan that you may use as a roadmap to excellent health
• Duration of a comprehensive evaluation is typically 60 -90 minutes
• This includes:
  • Blood pressure
  • Heart rhythm
  • Cholesterol
  • Weight loss including GLP-1 counseling
  • Risk for carotid disease
  • Risk for arterial and venous disease
  • Risk for coronary disease
  • Order any testing necessary for risk stratification such as stress echocardiogram, coronary calcium score, and CT coronary angiogram 
  • This also includes a follow up visit (either telehealth, phone, or in-person) to review your test results and formulate a treatment plan

***note that advanced imaging tests and any specialized blood work will be performed at a separate facility and date and billed to your insurance. If prior authorization is required, we will contact your insurance company and work with them to obtain the best tests

If one wishes to convert to a longitudinal membership plan so that a Cardiologist is directing your roadmap to success, the $3,500 will be credited to the cost of an annual membership plan.  We would love the opportunity to see this plan through, get you on the road to good health, and alter the trajectory of your future!

 

 

How much does an annual membership cost?

$400/month per person or $3500/year for those who pay annually

This is ideal for patients with high blood pressure, heart rhythm issues, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, heart failure, and any combination of these issues

 

What is included in a membership:

• Annual executive cardiology comprehensive exam
• Follow up visits for chronic problem
• Same day or next day visits for urgent problem
• Preoperative exams
• Direct access to your physicians through call, text, and email
• Coordination of specialty care
• Routine annual screening blood work including CBC, CMP, Lipid Panel
• Electrocardiogram

Not included in your membership fee:

• X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and other imaging tests (These items are covered by insurance or cash price available)
• Non-routine blood work (These items are covered by insurance or cash price available)
• Hospital Admissions and subspecialty care (There are no restrictions; you chose where you want care)

Do you take insurance?

No, we are out of network doctors - our services are covered by the annual membership fee. Athough do not accept insurance payment for medical services, you may use your HSA card for payments

 

Can you pay the monthly or annual fee with a health savings account?

The State of Minnesota recognizes Direct Primary Care and Direct Specialty Care as an eligible medical expense, but the U.S. Treasury and IRS have not officially weighed in. A presidential executive order signed on June 24th 2019 specifically calls on the Treasury to regulate DPC and DSC as an eligible medical expense by the end of September 2019. We advise patients with an HSA account to contact their Health Plan administrator (usually Human Resource office) and/or Accountant to ask if it’s okay to use their HSA funds to pay our annual or monthly fee

 

Do I need to keep my insurance?

Yes!

You need insurance for emergency room visits, hospitalizations, medications, specialized imaging/lab work, and other doctor visits.

It is important to note that the direct patient care model is not insurance and does not meet the criteria for insurance as set forth in the Affordable Care Act.

 

What about emergencies?

Our mission is to keep patients out of the emergency room and to avoid unnecessary, often inefficient and duplicative, urgent care centers by providing timely and appropriate care. However, emergencies do happen. Our patients can receive emergency care at any facility in which they have coverage and we plan to be available for consultation by phone with any emergency care physician. Emergency room care will be billed directly to your insurance.

 

What if I am hospitalized?

This is where we are your quarterback!

We coordinate closely with the inpatient (Hospitalist) team at the hospital where you are admitted. This not only ensures we have details of the hospitalization, but then we will be able to facilitate a smooth transition home and appropriate timely outpatient follow up

 

How do I communicate and schedule appointments?

You can call, email or text through a secure communication portal, called Spruce health, to schedule an appointment. Spruce is integrated with electronic health records, called Hint health.