FAQ

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DPC is an innovative practice model for providing high quality, high access primary care at a simple, flat, affordable membership fee.  The defining element of DPC is an enduring and trusting relationship between a patient and their primary care physician. Patients have extraordinary access to their physician who is accountable to them, not to an insurance company. By opting out of insurance contracts, your doctor is often able to negotiate lower prices for you on labs, imaging and even medications.

Charging a monthly fee allows us to be creative with our care and attentive to our patients. By removing the insurance companies as payer, we don’t need to worry about prior authorizations or whether our treatment will be approved. Primary care is extremely valuable, but it doesn’t need to be expensive. This model allows us to keep a minimalist office and prevents you from being bounced among multiple people before you can actually speak with your physician. We don’t need to rush you through your visit in order to see more people, because that’s not how we operate. All patients get the time they need. We work for you. The monthly fee also helps patients to budget for their healthcare needs without concern for co-pays or hidden costs.

Welcoming patients five and older.

Treehouse Family Medicine does not accept or bill your insurance. Treehouse Family Medicine charges a flat monthly fee which covers most primary care services. Patients should still retain an insurance policy in the event of catastrophic illness or hospitalization or to see specialists if the need arises. Many people find a high deductible insurance plan with a lower monthly premium pairs well with Direct Primary Care, as we can offer discounted rates on lab studies and help you find more affordable ways to purchase your medications.

Our membership covers outpatient primary care visits as well as access to your physician. If you need to be admitted to the hospital, we may visit you to help coordinate care, but our membership will not cover the cost of your stay or the care from the inpatient team.

Being a member keeps down out-of-pocket costs (such as charges applied before you meet your deductible). This allows you to purchase less expensive insurance, while enjoying superior, direct and personalized care from a primary care physician. We offer deeply discounted lab testing, but you may also use your insurance for these services if you would like.

Dr. Wax will see any patient who is interested in receiving personalized medical care, including uninsured patients and those with preexisting conditions.

At Treehouse Family Medicine, we accept patients that are on Medicare; however, we do not bill Medicare, nor can the patient bill Medicare for primary care services that we provide. Medicare will still cover any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, referrals to specialists, and hospitalizations. Please note that Medicare Advantage plans often require an in-network provider.

Direct primary care is an alternative and better model for primary care. We don’t believe it makes sense to use a fee-for-service model for primary care. Physicians who practice primary care in an insurance-based model are forced to see many patients at shorter intervals to cover a multitude of costs (not the least of which are staff, time and material, in effort to comply with health insurance payment criteria) . If your insurance covers primary care, you are paying for an expensive benefit that is often difficult, if not impossible, to enjoy.

Direct primary care is comprehensive, highly effective and less expensive than the current insurance-based primary care model.

Your insurance plans will continue to operate “as usual” at other doctors’ offices, hospitals and pharmacies. Some plans do not require a designated “gatekeeper” doctor for referrals, medications, tests, and the like, so Treehouse Family Medicine can order those services as needed just as any other doctor would do. Some HMO-style plans and the Medicare Advantage plans do require an “in-network” primary care doctor for access to other services, so these plans do not pair as well with membership at Treehouse Family Medicine. Please check with your insurance company. If you do have an HMO plan, you can still work with a DPC doctor, but please contact us to learn how.
If you are interested in pairing DPC with catastrophic coverage, we are here to help you. We can advise you on affordable, high-deductible plans or health care sharing ministries. Traditionally, these health sharing ministries are based in the Christian faith (Liberty HealthShare, Medi-Share, Samaritan Ministries) but some secular organizations (Sedera) are emerging. Most recently we started working with Taro Health, the first insurance to partner with DPC as their primary care option! Taro is an option if you buy your insurance through the Healthcare Exchange and you live in York or Cumberland County, Maine.
The best answer is to consult your tax professional.
Concierge practices charge patients a monthly fee in addition to charging insurance. Therefore, they still must work within the insurance model, which may limit or change therapies depending on insurance approval. Concierge practices improve access to the physician but don’t achieve the goal of decreasing the cost. We strive to deliver this superior service to patients with or without insurance and at any income level.
  • Your annual physical exam
  • Sick visits and follow up visits without any copays
  • Same-day or next-day appointments during business hours
  • Access to Dr. Jenne Wax via cell phone, text and email
  • Video visits through our secure EMR

We do not require members to sign any contracts that commit them to a certain period of membership. Memberships do not have an end date.

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A minimum of the first month of membership and a registration fee are paid up front and are nonrefundable. We ask for 30 days notice prior to cancellation.

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We would love the opportunity to take care of you and your family for many years to come, but if you change your mind, you are welcome to cancel at any time. Please note, we do charge a re enrollment fee of $160 if you choose to return to Treehouse Family Medicine after a cancellation of membership.

In a traditional primary care practice, doctors are compensated based on how they code and the quantity of patients they see, rather than based on the quality of care that they provide. In a DPC practice, quality of care is the number one priority. By cutting down on the panel size of patients from approximately 2000 patients to 300-500 patients, doctors working in a DPC practice are able to spend additional time with patients; patients have easier access to appointment times that meet scheduling needs; patients are guaranteed to see their doctor, not another “provider”; patients are able to reach out to their doctor via email and cell phone. These are just some of the benefits of a DPC practice.
The hope is that by spending more time with your primary care physician, the need to refer you to a specialist will decrease significantly. However, in the event that you do need to be referred to a specialist, Dr. Jenne Wax will help arrange for an appointment and will work to expedite this if indicated.

Primary care for the whole family that integrates old-fashioned family medicine with modern technology.

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