FAQs

What is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an innovative healthcare model which prioritizes the relationship between doctors and patients. DPC eliminates the unnecessary intrusion of insurance companies and offers an affordable, accessible membership-based primary care model that provides all the essentials of routine healthcare for a flat monthly fee. This simple model provides many of the things that are important but not found in today’s healthcare environment True price transparency Same day or next day appointments Personalized care Affordable monthly fees for unlimited visits No copays or deductibles at time of visit No pre-existing condition exclusion A relationship with your doctor free from outside interference After-hours care on nights and weekends for urgent matters
Is Direct Primary Care like a Concierge Practice?

Not exactly. Concierge practices charge a monthly or annual fee in addition to billing your insurance. Their fees may be hundreds or thousands of dollars. Concierge practices offer similar benefits as those offered by DPC practices, such as extended office visits and after-hours access by phone, text or email. For this reason, DPC has been called “Blue Collar Concierge.”
Will I still need insurance?

Direct Primary Care is not insurance. Although you may be able to get all or most of your healthcare needs met by your DPC physician, health insurance or a health sharing plan is still recommended in case of specialist care or unexpected medical expenses, such as hospitalization or major surgery.High-deductible “catastrophic” insurance plans pair well with DPC and may result in significant cost savings. You may also want to consider alternatives to traditional insurance plans, such as healthcare sharing ministries.
Do you take Medicare patients?

Absolutely! However, because third party payers such as Medicare and other insurance companies have adverse impacts on the physician patient relationship, Dr. Townsend is no longer contracted with Medicare, and Medicare does not cover the cost of membership at Magnolia DPC. Medicare and your supplement can be used for any services, labs and imaging performed outside of our clinic.
How will I know if Dr. Amy Townsend and Direct Primary Care is right for me?

Dr. Townsend is available to chat on the phone. Or you are welcome to come in for an obligation-free no-cost informational visit. This is a good way to start a conversation about your healthcare and begin what we trust will be a long, productive and healthy relationship.
How is direct primary care different from traditional healthcare?

In traditional fee for service healthcare, patients pay for each medical service separately, while in direct primary care, patients pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited access to their primary care physician.
Are there any hidden costs with direct primary care?

Unlike traditional healthcare, direct primary care practices have transparent pricing, and there are no hidden costs or surprise bills. Patients know exactly what services are included in their membership fee.
Can I use my insurance with direct primary care?

Direct primary care is designed to a be a direct payment model, so insurance is not typically used for primary care services. However, patients may still need insurance for specialty care, hospitalizations, and other medical services outside of DPC.