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At Meadows Health and Wellness, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about our practice or about the DPC model in general. However, there are a few questions that get asked a lot, so we’ve answered some of them below.
Click on a question to reveal the answer. |
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Our practice
what is direct primary care (DPC)?
DPC is an innovative new way to get high quality, comprehensive healthcare from a doctor who cares, all for a low, flat monthly fee. DPC doctors ditch the broken healthcare system and start providing care at reasonable prices. It’s that simple. No insurance, no corporate health system, no middlemen. Just doctors and patients. Practically speaking, DPC is a membership model for healthcare which we are calling a Meadows Membership. Every patient pays a flat monthly fee to become a Meadows Member. What are the benefits of membership? Put simply: access to a doctor that cares about you and your ongoing health needs.
what are some of the benefits of seeing a Naturopathic Doctor (ND)?
As a licensed naturopathic physician, Dr. Voves is able to address your primary care needs and chronic diseases through conventional medicine treatments. She also focuses on functional medicine to optimize your health so you feel energized and balanced. Dr. Voves spends time getting to know you and your health history. She will treat you as a whole person whose health issues intertwine, while working to addressing the root cause of your symptoms and health concerns.
What kind of education do ND's have?
Naturopathic Doctors attend a four-year, accredited, graduate level naturopathic medical program and earn a doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine. During their training, NDs are educated in all the same biomedical sciences and pharmacology studies as an MD or DO, as well as cutting edge, evidence based natural therapies including clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, nutraceuticals (supplements), counseling, and physical medicine. Upon graduating, NDs are granted their license after passing the state board exams.
As an existing patient, how will a meadows membership differ from my current experience?
Believe it or not, this is designed to provide you with even MORE access to Dr. Voves and will allow for unrestricted care by eliminating the silly and arbitrary limits the health insurance companies place on both the practice and the patient. If you want to just schedule some time to chat, we can do that. If you need several visits to address a concern that the insurance companies think should be resolved in 15 minutes, we can do that too. We simply want to practice medicine in a way that is 100% focused on your wants and needs that is truly preventative primary care. This model is centered around price transparency and will not include any surprise bills or unexpected items that are not "covered".
Membership
why is there a membership fee?
Why would I pay "extra" for this?
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 a Meadows Membership with a high-deductible health insurance or medical cost sharing plan when compared to traditional insurance models.
can I have a visit without becoming a member?
Yes! Please do. We offer most of our services at one-time cash rates to anyone that would like to schedule. Check out our service pricing page to learn more.
are there contracts or commitments? what if i decide to cancel?
No! You can cancel at any time by providing a 30 day written notice. We want our members to be happy and if this service is not the best fit for you, we won’t force you to stay. If decide to renew your membership at a later date there is a re-initiation fee if availability allows.
is this that "CONCIERGE" medicine I have heard about?
Kind of, but without the high price tag or private jets! We do offer customized services and care plans to our members but work diligently to keep overhead costs down to ensure its affordable for folks of all income levels.
What sets a meadows membership apart from the rest?
We offer a wide array of both conventional and naturopathic treatments and services. This one-two punch serves to quickly identify and alleviate your symptoms and then begin the process of identifying and treating the root cause of your issue. This truly is the best of both worlds but please don't take our word for it--check out our patient testimonial page to find out more about how we do things differently!
what if i rarely go to the doctor and consider myself healthy?
That’s great! We argue that everyone benefits from a care service tailored directly to them. We are devoted to the maintenance of your good health and to making sure you feel your best day to day. We’re here for your reactive needs. But proactive healthcare is important, and we’re here for that, too.
Are there any income or health requirements for becoming a meadows member?
Heck no! We do NOT have any income or health guidelines to become a member. Our fees are the same regardless of income, insurance arrangement, level of health or utilization of our services. We strongly believe that everyone should have access to affordable primary care regardless of their situation.
How do i become a Meadows member?
Click here to get started or give us a call at 971-373-4012.
Visits
What can I Expect During a Visit?
During your first visit, Dr. Voves will spend 60-90 minutes with you and listen to your story and needs, then she will discuss next steps to determine what you personally need to address the issues that are bothering you most. Together, you will review different recommendations for testing and develop an individualized treatment plan. At your follow-up visits, any test results will be reviewed in detail and we will discuss how you are feeling with your treatment plan and make any necessary adjustments.
What Are your Regular Hours and Availability?
If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911.
We typically hold normal office hours (9:00 to 5:00) Monday through Friday and are available after-hours and weekends for URGENT matters by phone. We ask that you schedule an appointment for complex matters.
We typically hold normal office hours (9:00 to 5:00) Monday through Friday and are available after-hours and weekends for URGENT matters by phone. We ask that you schedule an appointment for complex matters.
What IF I need to see a Specialist?
We partner with Rubicon MD to bridge the gap between our primary care services and the expertise of their panel of specialists. Rubicon MD offers e-consultations with a variety of specialists that will often eliminate the need for an additional visit. Best of all, this premium service is included in your membership fee!
How Long will my Visits be?
Whatever works for you! Seriously! If you just need to pop in for a prescription refill or would like to take a deep dive into your health, we are here for you. Most of our visits will typically be scheduled for 30 to 60 minutes but becoming a member provides us with a lot of flexibility since you can come back again and again whenever your schedule allows.
Can I just Drop in or Do I need to Schedule a Visit?
We intend to be as available and as flexible as possible but will still require you to schedule time for a visit to ensure we can make time for all of our members. One great thing about unlimited visits is that you can schedule as often as you'd like for whatever format works for you: in office visits, phone consultations, and virtual visits. Click here to schedule a visit.
Medical Services
Can labs and imaging services be ordered?
Dr. Voves can order conventional labs and imaging studies as well as functional medicine labs which help get to the root cause of your health concerns.
What is your approach to mental health?
We meet patients where they are but prefer a collaborative approach. Whether you are interested in medications, therapy, natural options, or a combination, we can help. We also work closely with our referral network to align our patients with a mental health provider that will best serve your needs.
where can I find the full listing of services included in the meadows membership?
The Patient Agreement spells out what is included in your membership and also includes your rights and responsibilities. We ask that you read this agreement carefully to understand what is included in your membership and its limitations.
prescriptions and supplements
can you fill/refill my prescription?
Yes, however we typically do not prescribe narcotic pain medications. We work hard to ensure you are getting the best possible prices on your prescriptions and once you are an established member, we can manage most of your refills with a quick office visit or an even quicker virtual visit or phone call. We also dispense some prescription medications in house at very reasonable prices, often less then your insurance co-pay.
can you manage my chronic pain?
Yes. There are many modalities available to help minimize pain of chronic conditions and we aggressively work with patients to achieve adequate comfort. We generally have a cautious and conservative approach to using narcotic/opiate medications. We rarely use these controlled and potentially dangerous medications for acute pain, and we have a policy of not prescribing opiate or other controlled medications for chronic problems.
can a meadows membership save me money on my prescriptions?
Yes! If you are currently taking multiple medications and paying with your insurance, your co-pays are likely stacking up and you might be paying two to three times more than if you simply pay cash. Additionally, we have access to wholesale prices or have done our research to ensure you are getting the most competitive price on the open market.
Insurance & health plans
Do you accept my health insurance?
No. By NOT accepting insurance, we are able to keep our membership fees affordable and ensure we have more time to spend on your actual care and not dealing with the administrative burden of health insurance. As a part of our certification process with the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, we have agreed not to bill your insurance or medicare plan. Additionally, Meadows Members are not allowed to submit claims to their insurance for any services included in our membership. (While we transition away from the insurance model, we are still in network with a number of carriers as of November, 2020)
Is this health insurance?
No, in fact, we recommend our patients continue a major-medical plan with a high deductible (keeping monthly premiums low) and possibly a health savings account to ensure financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. Another great option for some are health co-ops or health ministry plans as an alternative to traditional insurance.
Can I use my hsa/fsa card?
Yes, for time of service fees but not to pay your monthly membership fee.
Fees
ARE THERE ANY HIDDEN FEES?
No. We provide most care to members without any fees at all--this is by design! If we do charge for non-covered services, we are always transparent with our pricing. If we recommend outside services, we work diligently to find you an upfront, reasonable price if paying cash.
WHAT ABOUT LAB WORK AND OTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING?
Meadows Members have access to many basic lab and diagnostic testing (strep, flu, urine dipstick, pregnancy test, EKG, Spirometry, etc.) for no charge at all. For non-covered labs we offer significantly discounted, wholesale prices; 50-90% less than insurance based prices. Some of our prices can be seen here. If you require testing not listed, you can contact us for pricing of just about anything.
HOW MUCH DOES _______________ COST?
We are all about price transparency! Check out our pricing page to see the rates for common services that are not covered under the Meadows Membership. If you don't see the procedure you are looking for there, get in touch with us and well get back to you with a price.
WHEN DO I PAY MY FEES?
Your Membership fee will automatically be billed monthly once you are established as a Meadows Member. Other fees for labs, medications, etc. that are not covered in the membership agreement will be paid at the time of service either using your card on file or your FSA/HSA account if eligible.
HOW MUCH WILL I BE CHARGED FOR MY FIRST VISIT?
We do not charge "per visit". New members must pay a minimum of one month of membership fees at their first visit to establish care. If any non-covered services are required (labs, medications, etc.) the first visit cost may be higher.
