What do I get with my membership?
In exchange for your membership fee, we provide the very best primary care possible. This includes office visits, annual wellness exams, well child exams, sports physicals, school physicals, basic office procedures, in office labs and procedures, acute illness or minor injuries, 24/7/365 access to your doctor, little or no wait times in the office for your appointment, and much more. It basically provides you with everything that we would normally do in the office.
Can non-members be eligible for appointments and procedures?
Yes. Non-members can call and schedule appointments for exams and procedures. Non-members are required to pay increased prices on all services and procedures in addition to an office visit fee.
In order to provide the very best care possible, it is the policy of the Practice that patients who need ongoing primary care be seen by the Practice as a member with applicable Membership Fees.
Is there a sign-up fee or a contract involved to join AccessMedicine?
Yes, there is a one-time enrollment fee which is equivalent to the first month's fee and paid at the time you sign up with us. We do require a signed contract to become a member, however, this contract is for services month to month. There is no long-term commitment.
Is there an office visit fee?
As a member, there is no office visit fee, ever! For non-members, there is a fee for routine office visits. There may be added charges depending on any additional services performed during the visit, including labs. Any added charges will be discussed prior to services being administered to patients.
Can children become members of AccessMedicine?
Absolutely! We see patients of all ages, newborn and up!
General Questions:
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is care offered directly by the primary care provider (AccessMedicine) to the consumer (patient) without the need for insurance. The consumer pays a monthly, quarterly, biannual, or annual fee in exchange for a package of ongoing primary care services, both medical and non-medical. This eliminates the financial burden on the providers as well as reduced paperwork, lower costs which allows lower charges, no interference on how to practice from insurance companies, and added time with each patient.
What are your prices?
Please find a complete list of our prices on our Fees page.
Do you see nursing home patients?
We do not provide nursing home care but will coordinate your care with the facility’s physician on an as needed basis.
What medical conditions do you care for?
We treat a wide variety of acute and chronic primary care problems with a focus on preventative health. There’s not much we can’t take care of!
What if I’m hospitalized?
AccessMedicine providers do not provide inpatient care but will coordinate your care with the hospitalists as needed. Dr. Manning maintains privileges at Martin General Hospital and can help assist in direct admissions from the office when deemed necessary.
Are my medical records ever shared with insurance carriers or government agencies?
No. Patient privacy is a natural benefit of this medical model. We will never provide any third party with a copy of your records unless you specifically ask us to do so.
What if I need medical attention while I’m away from home?
In the age of telemedicine, many illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with a simple conversation by phone or video. If appropriate, we’ll locate the nearest pharmacy and order the medication most suited for your circumstance. And if you need to go to the hospital or seek other medical attention we can advise you on that as well.
May I contact AccessMedicine after hours? And how?
Absolutely, yes! As a member of AccessMedicine, you may contact us anytime, day or night, by telephone, text, or email…seriously!; our goal is to make contacting us as easy as possible. It’s how we do custom healthcare. If you are a member, you will be given special instructions on how to contact us after hours when you enroll in the practice.
Medicare and Insurance Questions:
Do I still need insurance?
Yes, but it’s not a requirement for being a member of AccessMedicine. We do not replace insurance and we typically encourage our patients to carry a high deductible major medical plan or a plan with a health savings account, thereby ensuring financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. You should consult with your insurance provider to help you find a plan that works best with our medical model and that will meet your specific needs. We can point you in the right direction if you need help with this.
If I have Medicare, can I join AccessMedicine?
Yes. However, any fees paid to AccessMedicine CANNOT be submitted to Medicare for reimbursement. You must sign a waiver/contract that states that you agree, neither you nor your doctor will directly bill Medicare for services provided by AccessMedicine.
Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance will still cover medical costs that you incur outside of AccessMedicine. For example, prescriptions that you fill at an outside pharmacy, or labs run at an outside lab, or hospital charges, physical therapy and imaging are covered, just the same as always. You do not lose your Medicare coverage for other medical needs just because you are a member of AccessMedicine.
How can I save on insurance costs by being a member of AccessMedicine?
Many of our patients choose high deductible health insurance plans to reduce out-of-pocket costs for insurance. Regardless, we recommend you maintain some insurance coverage for catastrophic events such as hospitalizations and serious illnesses. Some of our patients have elected to participate in a health care sharing ministry. Some of these actually help cover the cost of membership in our practice. We can provide more information if needed.
