Frequently Asked Questions

WHY IS DIRECT PRIMARY CARE BETTER?

Conventional insurance-based medical practices are becoming unwieldy with more employees and time spent just on billing and collections. Insurance companies dictate the type of care doctors give, and doctors have to see 25+ patients a day to maintain their business. Many times, the cost of billing is more than the fee itself.

Direct primary care allows physicians the freedom to serve patients and practice medicine the way they were trained. No billing means doctors have time to spend with patients, and patients can access the doctor when and where they need to.

Ultimately, direct primary care allows for more than just a better version of what is already there. Doctors are able to redefine the frontlines of care by providing proactive and preventive care that is otherwise unavailable in the traditional system. This leads patients to experience better service while having better health – namely fewer surgeries, specialist visits, hospitalizations, and medications.

Do you have evidence that direct pay costs less?

Numerous reports show better care and cost saving throughout the United States. In North Carolina, DPC saved $1.28 million in health care claims in one year for 2000 patients. Less paperwork for doctors means more time to spend with patients as needed to manage medical conditions. More time means better access which means fewer specialist referrals, hospital admissions, and ER visits. In insurance-based medical clinics, 43% of the day is spent on needless paperwork.

After Hours

Our offices leverage a telemedicine app that allows us to be available after hours, especially in urgent concerns. This dedicated tool allows us to securely text, video chat, and send pictures in real time.

How are office visits handled?

It’s easy – schedule a visit via secure messaging or call in and come into the office to see us when your visit is actually scheduled. You and I also have the option to a televisit (Zoom) or phone call visit as an alternative for a quick checkup or if you’re sick at home and would prefer not to come in. As a member of our practice there are no additional charges to see us-ever!

WILL YOU ALLOW ME TO SEE YOU WITHOUT SIGNING UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP?

You never know what the future holds for your health, so I would always suggest joining for a membership to take advantage of my time to get ahead of any problems that may pop up. If you aren’t sure if a membership is right for you, whether it be financial, for your health, or otherwise, you can always contact me so we can sit down and I can help you work through your decision.

How can I be sure you will have time for me if your access is unlimited

Because my main priority is you and I want to make sure I’m available for you while maintaining little to no wait, same day or next day visits, as well as non rushed, 30-60 minute visits, I cap my patient panel at 600 patients (a traditional panel is 2000-3000 patients).

Hospitalization

If you feel you need to go to the hospital, please call and discuss with our providers at any time. We can help you decide whether it’s something we can take care of or if the emergency room is necessary. As your private physician, we would like to be involved in your hospital care—whether to speak to the emergency room physician or the in-patient doctor to assist in your care. We are also happy to keep in touch with your families during your stay and help arrange for your care after you return home.

Can I Join Blue Spruce Without Insurance?

We take members regardless if they have insurance or not. Your membership fee covers all of the care you receive in our office. We offer cash-pay labs and medications at cost and have relationships with other providers for cash pay pricing on services we do not offer at our office.

What if I have insurance?

We accept members regardless if they have insurance or not. If you have insurance join Blue Spruce and enjoy the accessibility and personalized care that Blue Spruce offers.

You can use your insurance in the office through our lab partner for labwork, and anywhere outside of our office for medical needs needing additional testing or care.

How are prescriptions and referrals handled?

Yes, our providers can order and refer just like any other primary care office. We can send prescriptions to a pharmacy of your choosing and if you need a referral for additional lab work, imaging, or specialist we are happy to send those to a medical facility of your choosing, where you would use your insurance if you have it as you normally would. 

Why do I need a direct primary care membership?

In the traditional healthcare setting, most people are accustomed to paying the doctor through insurance on a visit-to-visit basis. The problem is – most primary care is patient-provider dialogue, and it’s hard for insurance companies to know how to reimburse a conversation. This forces doctors to have you come into the office and then charge you every time you want to speak with them or follow up. Recently, Doctors have needed to see upwards of 25+ patients a day just to keep their practices solvent.

In the DPC membership model, doctors are free to dialogue when, where, and how long the patient needs at no extra cost. This significantly increases the level of service and care a patient receives from their doctor. So much so, that in one study patients in a DPC membership model experienced:

  • 40% Less ER Visits
  • 54% reduction in ER costs
  • 24% Less Hospitalizations

*Society of Actuaries, 2020

We have chosen a membership model because it’s affordable to the patient and allows us to take care of our patients (whom we love!) in the best way we know how.

Contact

Contact Us Today

Phone, Email & Fax

Open Hours

Monday- Friday:

8am-4:30pm

Saturday by appointment only

Sunday closed

(closed for lunch from 12pm-1pm)

*After hours by appointment only*

ADDRESS

Newport Office

401 E Main St.
Newport, VT 05855

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St. Johnsbury Office

25 Depot Square

St. Johnsbury, VT 05819