+ What is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care is a membership based model, started by a group of independent physicians who want to return to a nearly lost ideal in medical care where we dare to put patients before profits. Although direct primary care is common in other state, Doctors Care is one of only a few direct primary care practices in Wisconsin. Direct Primary Care, or DPC, puts patients first by getting rid of the red tape that constrains traditional practices. How? It’s simple: We don’t accept insurance - we cut out the middleman and all the red tape - and believe it or not this actually saves you money in the long run- keep reading. The physician sets a fixed fee for medical care and the patient pays this charge directly to the physician. In exchange, the physician provides medical care whenever the need arises, including on weekends and after hours for urgent matters.

Here’s how it works:

For less than what many people spend on coffee or their cell phones every month, we provide our patients with compassionate, personalized advanced primary care medical services with unprecedented access to their experienced family physician. This includes 60 minute annual physicals, routine appointments of at least 30 minutes for management of chronic diseases and acute problems, e-mail, text and phone access. Extended visits are great but so is the availability of quick in-and-out care when appropriate. Imagine calling your doctors cell phone to report a suspected urinary tract infection, being offered a chance to come right over, have your urine tested, get a focused exam and your medication at no additional cost - or even better, take care of it by phone, if appropriate, and pick up your medication after work in our lobby lock box – just waiting for you! Our patients are always seen by the same experienced physician. How do we do this- we limit the number of members we accept to ensure a much more personalized, high level of professional care.

Our membership includes not only office visits with no copayments, but also access to very inexpensive lab tests, find out more here, and referrals for discounted x-rays, MRI’s, CT scans, etc. We also offer many generic medications dispensed through our office that are usually less expensive than most people’s prescription co-payments. Find out more here.

We believe co-payments, insurance hassles, and mystery billing from insurers have become barriers that can deter patients from seeking care. By using insurance only for serious illnesses elsewhere in the medical system, DPC clinics free patients from the financial worry of a copayment for each visit or unpredictable charges each time they see a doctor.

+ How will this save me money?

Let me count the ways! You won’t have to pay for office visits or routine physicals. Also, you will be able to avoid many visits altogether by sending your questions directly to us via e-mails and text – something you won’t get from a traditional practice. We have also negotiated amazing deals for prescription medications, blood tests, MRI/CT scans on your behalf.

DPC leaves out co-pays and deductibles. Why pay $200.00 toward a deductible you are unlikely to meet when you can get the same tests from Doctors Care for $15 in cash?

Since you are getting all this amazing care from us you can cut way back on your insurance premiums. Most DPC patients find a high deductible, low premium insurance plan so they’re covered in case of a major health issue. Leave the rest of your health to us. Did you fall in the middle of the night and you need a simple laceration repaired? Do you know how much this will cost in the ER? No, you don’t – and you aren’t even sure you need them are you? How about an unexpected $500-$1000 ER bill! Now you have a doctor you can call for advise, meet in the office, if necessary, and get that laceration repaired!

Add up your medical expenses for the last year, our membership will likely cost less – hassle free!

+ So how much does membership cost?

See our pricing on our pricing page.

+ What does the membership fee cover?

A lot! The fee covers excellent advanced primary care through office visits with no co-pay. This includes the following: annual wellness exams, sports physicals, school physicals, chronic care office visits, follow-up visits, basic office procedures and treatment of acute illness or minor injuries, all with minimal wait times in the office, and the doctors personal attention. It also covers direct communication with the doctor: via phone, text, e-mail, or video. Our patients will have access to incredibly discounted prescriptions, labs and special procedures not included in the membership fee. Our expanded list of services and procedures can be found here.

+ Won’t I wind up spending more money out of pocket if I join Doctors Care?

Fortunately this is not true! Click here to see this example of relatively healthy Smith family of 3.

+ What about price transparency?

Patients are paying higher premiums, deductibles, and co-payments, meaning more out-of-pocket costs, and more reluctance to get the care they need. We have set a monthly fee you can budget for. If there is an extra charge for a service, it will be minimal and you will know exactly what it is before proceeding. No mystery billing.

+ If I already have insurance won’t I pay twice for the same services?

In many ways, patients with insurance already pay “twice” due to co-pays for visits and medications, non-covered services, high deductibles etc. In fact, the average family of four pays over $4,065.00 in out-of-pocket medical expenses during a year. With Doctors Care you can save hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket health care expenses. Many patients find that our negotiated prices for labs, medication, and other services cost less than using health insurance. With high-deductible plans on the rise, many patients end up paying for healthcare out of their own pocket because they never meet their deductible. With Doctors Care you can save hundreds of dollars in out of pocket health care expenses. Our goal is to help you avoid these expenses. We believe that better communication with your doctor leads to better health outcomes.

+ What happens if I need to go to the hospital or see a specialist?

We serve as your guide to navigate the care that is right for you. In the event you or your family needs to be hospitalized or have surgery, we’ll check in on you and help to ease the transition back home after your discharge.

+ Can children become members too?

Of course, We are happy to accept the children of our enrolled clients. See our pricing page for details.

+ Do you offer routine vaccinations in the office?

Because of the cost associated with obtaining and storing vaccines, we are not able to off the vaccinations for children 5 and under. We will be maintaining a stock of select adult immunizations including tetanus shots,flu shots, and pneumococcal vaccines.

+ What happens when the office is closed and I need care?

We know sometimes you need medical care when it is outside of office hours. Dr. Hannula is available by phone and text for urgent matters that happen. We will try to keep you out of the urgent care and reduce unnecessary expenses.

+ What if I need medical attention when I am away from home?

Because you’ll have your doctor’s email address and cell phone number as well as the ability to text, you can reach out to us wherever you are.

+ What if I decide to cancel?

You are always welcome to cancel your membership, although we do require 30 days notice. Annual memberships may be canceled with a pro-rated refund of remaining membership fees at the monthly rate.

+ When do I pay my fees for non-covered labs and procedures?

Charges will be applied to your preferred method of payment/collection at the time services are completed.

+ If I enroll as a patient of Doctors Care , when will billing begin?

After you register online or through our website, you will be contacted to schedule your intake appointment. Your monthly billing will start on the day of your first medical visit with the doctor. Please note that medical care cannot be provided through any means prior to the initial intake physical exam. We need to know you and you need to know us!

+ How are fees collected?

The practice requests that members set up recurrent billing via automatic draft from credit/debit card or funds transfer from a bank account to ensure that payment is on time. Due to our low overhead business model we do not invoice or bill patients.

Failure to make a payment within 60 days of the due date will cause membership to be terminated. To re-join the practice , the member goes to the end of any waiting list that exists, must come to the office and sign afreements again, and will be required to pay a registration fee.

Please notify us if you have problems paying your bill at the stated time. We are often able to work with people to avoid any problems with membership.

+ Is the membership fee eligible for HSA reimbursement?

Many people do!

+ How do I sign up for a Doctors Care membership?

You can easily sign up for our membership online, on our Scheduling Page. If you’d like to sign up in person, you can come to our office and we can get you signed up and scheduled for your initial appointment.

+ Will I benefit from Direct Primary Care if I do not require frequent medical attention?

Of course, everyone benefits from a service tailored directly to them. We’re here for you if you’re sick or hurt, but we also help you proactively maintain good overall health.

+ Can Non-Members be seen at the clinic?

Non-members can be seen for a one-time urgent Non-Member medical visit, sports physical for school children, and DOT Physicals. Dr. Hannula is a DOT certified medical examiner for commercial driver’s license medical certificates. There are also procedures available for Non-Members at significantly reduced rates. See our price structure here.

+ What if I’m considering joining but not ready to sign up yet?

That’s OK, changing your care to a new doctor is a really big choice especially if DPC is something you are just learning about for the first time. Because it’s such a big decision, we offer a free visit so you may ask questions and help determine if DPC is right for you. Head to our contact page to schedule your visit.

+ Do you do home visits?

Dr. Hannula loves to do home visits for those patients who are not able to get to the clinic because of their physical health or need a visit after a recent surgery, or those with transportation difficulty, or other extenuating circumstances. See our home visit prices here.

+ When will you be open?

After much discussion our initial hours of operation will be 7am to 4 pm Monday-Tuesday, 9am to 6pm Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday 7am-2pm. We will be flexible about staying later for those of you who cannot be seen at our usual hours. We will be available on weekends, so please call with urgent issues. If we can settle these in the office, we will be happy to meet you there rather than send you to Urgent Care or the ER. Dr. Joan Hannula live 5 miles from the office.

+ Do you have after hours appointments?

If you don’t see times that work for your schedule, just ask and we’ll find a convenient time to meet your needs through an office or virtual visit.

+ Re- Enrollment

If a member discontinues membership – by choice or lack of payment- the member may rejoin if memberships are still available but will be required to pay a “Re-enrollment fee” of $75.00 per member.

+ Do you accept insurance?

No, we don’t bill or use health insurance.

+ I don’t have insurance, can I still join?

The monthly membership fee applies equally to everyone. You are still eligible for all the services and discounts. In fact, a Doctors Care membership means we still work hard to keep your lab, x-ray and medication costs as low as possible.

+ If I have Medicare can I still join?

Yes. You only need to sign a biennial waiver declaring that neither you nor your doctor will directly bill Medicare for our services. Medicare will still cover all laboratory testing, imaging, or medications ordered by our office.

+ As the patient, will I still need health insurance?

Yes, we recommend our patients continue a medical plan with a high deductible and health savings account. If you experience a major health issue, you will still need insurance to cover it.

+ Are my medical records ever shared with government agencies, insurance carriers or pharmaceutical companies?

We maintain high standards of patient privacy. We will never provide your health information to any third party unless you specifically asked that we do.

+ Service Fees

All service fees not covered by membership fees – in office medications dispensed, lab tests, some in- office procedures, other services outside the list of covered services. These charges will be added to the next month’s autopay bill OR Payment for these procedures is expected at the time they are performed. The member gives the practice permission to send charges to the credit card/bank account on file.

+ What is your policy on controlled substances?

We believe that controlled substances, including narcotics ( Norco, Vicodin, Oxycodone, Percocet etc.}. benzodiazepines (Ativan, Xanaz, Klonopin etc.), and stimulants (Ritalin, Adderall, etc.) have a limited role in primary care and therefore Dr. Hannula prescribes them rarely and only very sparingly. We believe chronic pain requiring narcotics is best managed by a pain management specialist. No controlled substances are kept in the office.

+ What happens when I am admitted to the hospital?

With easy access to your primary care doctor, we strive to reduce urgent care visits and hospitalizations. In instances where hospitalization is required we work closely with the hospitalists and specialists that are taking care of you. We rely on their expertise when hospital care is necessary and we are ready to assume post-hospital follow-up care when discharged from the hospital.

+ How are lab tests or procedures that are not covered in the membership fee paid for?

Charges will be added and applied to your preferred method of payment at the time of service.

+ What about Prescriptions?

We dispense medications in-house, so we’re offering medications to you at wholesale prices. For nearly all medications, the price we offer is cheaper than your co-pay at a pharmacy. If you take chronic medications, the savings on medication might be greater than your entire membership fee.

+ What about labwork?

We’ve negotiated great deals with national labs to get your tests done on the cheap. You’ll be able to get your annual bloodwork done for less than $30.

+ Are there co-pays for visits?

No! Visits are included with your membership fee. Procedures will be completed at a substantially reduced cost. See prices here.

+ Can local businesses work with Doctors Care?

Across the country many businesses, large and small, are working with Direct Primary Care Clinics to save money while providing high quality care to their employees. In Washington state, the Direct Primary Care group Qliance, who works with Expedia, Comcast and the Seattle Firefighters Union, has demonstrated a 20% decrease in medical claims along with an increase in patient satisfaction.We believe this model is enormously promising and e are very interested in working with local small businesses to help provide excellent healthcare to their employees, at an affordable cost. We offer a simplified price structure for businesses.

+ Termination

Termination of the agreement between members and the practice can occur either by the member or the practice in the following circumstances:

1. The member/patient requests in writing (e-mail is acceptable) that the relationship be terminated.
2. The practice informs the member/patient in writing that the relationship is terminated.
3. The member/ptient becomes more than 60 days delinquent on the account.

+ Why would I pay “extra” fees for health care? Good Question!

The membership fee is better thought of as a more affordable and efficient way to access primary care. Most members will save money by combining Doctors Care with a high deductible health insurance or medical cost sharing plan compared to traditional insurance models.