Frequently Asked Questions

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We provide increased accessibility, set minimal and predictable monthly fees, and value the patient's right to participate in their health care decisions.   Like having a doctor in your family, you will have 24/7 access to your provider: in-office, virtual, phone call, text, or e-mail.  We want to spend the necessary time with each patient, whether it's 10 minutes or 60 minutes.  For less than the average cell phone bill, a member can receive comprehensive primary care covering up to 95% of their health care needs.  Each patient is unique, and healthcare cannot be one-size-fits-all.  We desire to listen and understand what is important to each patient, and then find solutions and treatments that are consistent with their values and needs. Riverwood Family Health seeks to provide timely and convenient,  budget friendly,  patient oriented, excellent care to each member.

The terms "Direct Primary Care" and "Concierge Medicine" are sometimes  confused.  DPC is usually lower cost and billed monthly, whereas concierge is usually higher cost and billed annually.  In addition to the membership fee, concierge practices typically bill health insurance.  Riverwood Family Health is not a concierge practice.  We want our services to be affordable to many, and we want to be a viable option for the uninsured.

In a typical primary care practice, your healthcare provider is reimbursed by an insurance company only when he sees you.    With Direct Primary Care, the membership fee replaces the reimbursement from third parties.  This frees up your provider to offer services such as extended appointment times, communication through email, phone, or text, and the ability to diagnose and treat without the need for an office visit, which he wouldn't typically  be paid for in a traditional practice.  The fee is also predictable for the patient and is often far less than annual medical costs of copays and deductibles.    

Yes.  A contract between you and your provider leads to the benefits of direct primary care.

No.  We recommend  that you keep health insurance if you sign up with us.  Consider a  high deductible major medical plan or a health savings account to ensure financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. 

You don't need insurance to join or stay with Riverwood Family Health.  While we offer an excellent, low-cost option for good primary care, we believe  health insurance is important to help pay for unexpected medical expenses.    Be aware that if you become a member and do not carry insurance, you will still be subject to the annual fine through the Affordable Care Act.

Keep it!  Or consider switching to a lower-premium, higher-deductible insurance plan.  Keep in mind, if you have an HMO health plan, you may require a primary care "gatekeeper" to access  specialty care.

You can still join! You will need to sign a waiver declaring that neither you nor your provider will directly bill Medicare for our services. However, Medicare can still cover any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, specialty referrals, or hospitalizations prescribed by us.

Most likely.  We recommend you talk to your tax or financial advisor about this.

We can make referrals to specialists just like any other primary care provider (unless you have an HMO health plan, which may require a primary care "gatekeeper" to access a specialist).  

Definitely!  Have your employer reach out to discuss special business pricing.