
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct Primary care is a new an innovative model of health care which makes primary care more affordable by removing the administrative bloat associated with conventional insurance or Fee-for-service care.
Numerous reports show better quality of care and cost saving when using the direct primary care model. Because doctors don’t have as much paperwork to do, they can spend more time with patients managing medical conditions. This leads to fewer specialist referrals, lower hospital admission rates, and fewer ER visits, saving money in the long run.
Thankfully, no! Insurance is better served for catastrophic health issues, and has only caused unnecessary increase in primary care. We intentionally forego insurance, to reduce these unnecessary costs, and to remove the “middle-man” from your healthcare.
A lot! Acute care, chronic care, pediatrics, knee and shoulder injection, wart freezing, skin tag removal, women’s health, men’s health, ear wax removal, preventative health, ingrown toenail removal, sports injuries, weight loss, and telemedicine.
The Affordable Care Act still holds the individual mandate that everyone maintains a health insurance plan. However, we recommend to moving to a low premium high-deductible plan or a shared care plan. We’re happy to refer you to insurance representatives who can help assist in customizing a plan for you.
Direct primary care is more convenient, personal, and affordable than insurance-based clinics. Instead of waiting for an appointment and driving to the office whenever you have a medical concern, DPC allows you to contact your doctor via phone, text, or email 24/7. You can also typically book a same-day or next-day appointment, instead of waiting weeks! This eliminates the time you spend waiting for and seeking out medical care and advice. Because your doctor doesn’t have to spend valuable time filling out paperwork for insurance companies, there is more time for the doctor to be fostering provider-patient relationships. Finally, DPC leads to better health outcomes and lower health spending over time because of fewer specialist referrals, lower hospital admission rates, and fewer ER visits.
Bluebird Health does not accept insurance. However, you should keep your insurance (or switch to a different plan) in addition to becoming a member of Bluebird Health. We recommend moving to a low-premium, high-deductible plan or a shared care plan. This means that you will have insurance to cover imaging, specialist visits, or emergencies, while still benefiting from the ease and convenience of direct primary care.
If you are healthy and don’t generally need frequent medical attention, it is still a good idea to have an option for any health situations that do arise. The goal of primary care is to keep you from needing frequent medical attention by screening and treating diseases before they become a long-term problem. DPC is like having a personal doctor whose goal is to keep you healthy. If you are healthy now, you want someone on your team to help you stay healthy in the future!
Yes! There is no age restriction to enrollment in Bluebird Health DPC. The monthly rates are $35 for children and $65 for adults. For families, the ease of treatment and efficiency of visits makes Bluebird a great option.
Yes! A monthly membership gives you access to texting, emailing, and phone calls with your doctor, as well as unlimited office visits. Medical issues don’t limit themselves to business hours, so Bluebird doesn’t limit your care to business hours either.
You can always see a specialist in addition to your primary care physician, but there will be additional cost that can be paid out of pocket or through insurance, depending on the situation. We can provide referrals to any variety of specialist. We work with several specialist who provide discounts for “cash pay.” However, we also can refer to In-Network specialists.
At this time Direct Primary Care membership cost is not tax deductible.
At this time, you cannot use your FSA/HSA to pay your monthly subscription. However, there is currently legislation to amend unfortunate policy. You can apply your FSA/HSA to all medications, labs and imaging provided through our clinic.
Absolutely! The goal of primary care is to keep you from needed frequent medical attention by screening and treating diseases before they become a long-term problem.
Absolutely!
Of course. Medical issues and questions rarely happen from 9-5.
We can provide referrals to any variety of specialist. We work with several specialist who provide discounts for “cash pay.” However, we also can refer to In-Network specialists.
We contract with local imaging to provide low-cost imaging solutions. However, we can also work with In-Network imaging facilities.
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