Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
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Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model in which patients have a transparent financial and clinical relationship with their primary care physician. Instead of billing insurance for each visit, patients pay a monthly membership fee that covers most primary care services, including visits, communication, and care coordination.
This model allows doctors to spend more time with patients, offer direct access, and focus on prevention and early treatment—resulting in a more personal, responsive primary care experience.
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Direct primary care is well suited for individuals who want easier access to a primary care doctor, longer visits, and more personalized care. It is especially helpful for busy professionals, parents, self-employed individuals, and anyone frustrated by rushed appointments or long wait times in traditional practices.
DPC works well for both healthy patients who value convenience and peace of mind, as well as those with chronic conditions who benefit from closer follow-up and continuity. Many patients pair DPC with insurance to create a simple, flexible healthcare setup.
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Yes. Direct primary care is an excellent option for patients who are generally healthy and value access, convenience, and peace of mind. When questions or unexpected concerns arise, you can contact your primary care doctor directly rather than waiting weeks for an appointment or deciding whether something is “serious enough” to be seen.
Virtual care by phone or video is available when appropriate, allowing care to fit into your personal and work schedule. For many healthy patients, DPC means fewer disruptions, earlier answers, and a trusted doctor who already knows you when care is needed.
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Internal medicine is a medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of adult diseases. Internists are experts in managing complex, chronic conditions and providing comprehensive care, often serving as primary care physicians for adults. They emphasize a holistic approach, considering the patient's overall health and well-being.
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No. We are an internal medicine practice that specializes in adult primary care.
Membership Details
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The standard membership plan is $1999 per year, billed at approximately $167 monthly. There are additional savings for members who pay annually.
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Your direct primary care membership includes comprehensive primary care without per-visit fees. This typically covers in-office visits, virtual visits, secure messaging with your doctor, preventive care, and care coordination. Appointments are longer and unhurried, and many concerns can be addressed without an in-person visit.
The goal of membership-based primary care is to make it easy to access your doctor, ask questions early, and receive thoughtful care without the delays and complexity of traditional insurance-based practices.
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No. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is not health insurance. It is a membership-based primary care model where patients pay a flat monthly fee directly to their primary care doctor for most routine and acute care needs. You will not be billed or charged co-pays for office visits. As a result of our payment model we can offer longer appointments, direct doctor access, and simpler, more personalized care.
We still recommend carrying health insurance and be familiar with the insurance network for services outside of primary care, such as hospital care, emergency services, imaging, lab tests, and specialist visits. We ask for your insurance information so we can help coordinate referrals, order labs or imaging that may be covered by your plan, and ensure continuity of care.
Access and Services
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For urgent but non-emergency medical needs after-hours, calling the main phone number will direct you to the doctor’s personal phone number. This service is available for urgent medical needs and should not be used for medication refill requests or other nonurgent medical conditions.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency—such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, or severe injury—you should call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately—whichever is safest and quickest.
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Yes. You can continue to use your insurance for labs, imaging, specialist visits, hospital care, and other services outside our practice. We regularly coordinate with specialists and facilities that accept your insurance and help guide you toward high-quality, cost-effective options.
Many patients find that combining direct primary care with traditional insurance—often a high-deductible plan—provides excellent access to a primary care physician while maintaining financial protection for larger medical expenses.
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For urgent but non-emergency concerns—such as infections, sudden symptoms, or time-sensitive questions—you can reach your direct primary care doctor for prompt guidance and care. Many urgent issues can be handled quickly through phone, video, or a same- or next-day visit.
If you need an expedited appointment, this is most easily achieved by logging onto the patient portal via the website. Alternatively, you can call the main phone number and you will be directed to the doctor. During office hours you will be forwarded to his office line, and after hours you will be forwarded to his personal phone. Given that replies may take up to 24 hours, secure messaging should not be used for time-sensitive medical concerns.If you are experiencing a medical emergency—such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of stroke, or severe injury—you should call 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately—whichever is safest and quickest.
Direct primary care improves access for non-emergent needs but does not replace emergency services.
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In the event that you need to be seen by a specialist we will:
do our best to provide a recommendation based on your individual means
communicate with them prior to your consultation to ensure that they are up-to-date on your medical history, medication list, and allergies
contact them for care coordination or advocacy when necessary
request records of your consultations so that we can continue to be the hub of your medical care
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An internal medicine practice treats a wide range of conditions including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, respiratory disorders, and gastrointestinal issues. For a comprehensive list and more details, please visit our Conditions We Treat page.
Ready to Join?
If The Vienna Clinic sounds like the kind of practice you have been looking for, please follow the link below.