Question 1

What is Direct Primary Care?

Accepted Answer

A: Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a healthcare model where patients pay a simple monthly membership fee directly to their primary care provider for care—without using insurance.

Here’s how it works:
No insurance billing: Your care is not dictated by insurance companies
Flat monthly fee: Clear, predictable pricing with no copays or hidden fees
Unlimited visits: Come in as often as you need for primary care concerns
More time with your provider: Longer visits and personalized attention
Better access: Same- or next-day appointments and direct communication by phone, text, or secure messaging
Transparent pricing: Labs, medications, and imaging are often offered at deeply discounted, upfront prices
Direct Primary Care focuses on building a strong patient-provider relationship, improving access to care, and keeping healthcare simple and affordable.

DPC does not replace insurance and is best paired with a high-deductible health plan or other coverage for emergencies and hospital care.

Question 2

What is included in the monthly membership?

Accepted Answer

A Direct Primary Care membership gives you unlimited access to your primary care provider for a simple monthly fee—no insurance billing involved. Your membership typically includes:
Unlimited office visits with no copays
Extended visits so concerns aren’t rushed
Same-day or next-day appointments (when available)
Direct access to your provider via phone, text, or secure messaging
Preventive care (annual exams, wellness visits, screenings)
Management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma
Acute care for illnesses and minor injuries
Basic in-office procedures at no additional cost or deeply discounted rates
Transparent, discounted pricing on labs, medications, and imaging
Care coordination and referrals when specialty care is needed
Because DPC is not dictated by insurance companies, the focus is on personalized, relationship-based care—more time with your provider, better access, and clear, predictable pricing.

Note: DPC memberships do not replace insurance and do not cover hospitalizations, emergency care, or specialty services.

Question 3

Is Direct Primary Care insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is not insurance. It is a membership-based model where patients pay a flat monthly fee directly to their primary care provider for care.

DPC covers most routine and preventive primary care services, but it does not cover hospitalizations, emergency room visits, specialist care, or surgeries. Because of this, many patients choose to pair a DPC membership with a high-deductible health plan or other insurance for major or unexpected medical expenses.

The benefit of DPC is simple, transparent pricing and direct access to your provider—without copays, deductibles, or insurance billing getting in the way.

Question 4

Are there enrollment fees?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, we charge a one-time enrollment fee of $99 for single memberships and $175 for family plans. This fee is required to initiate membership and is nonrefundable. However, the enrollment fee is waived if you choose to pay annually or during designated open enrollment specials. These fees help cover administrative costs and ensure you receive direct, personalized care without insurance billing or copays.

Question 5

Are there copays or deductibles when receiving care?

Accepted Answer

At Jessica Gerner, NP-Direct Primary Care, which operates under a direct primary care model, there are no copays or deductibles for the services provided. Instead of billing insurance, we offer an affordable membership-based healthcare plan that gives you direct access to your provider. This approach eliminates the traditional costs associated with insurance claims, allowing for transparent pricing and comprehensive care without unexpected fees. Membership covers most primary care services, ensuring you receive personalized and timely healthcare without the financial barriers of copays or deductibles.

Question 6

Can I keep my insurance when using direct primary care services?

Accepted Answer

A: Absolutely! When you join, you maintain your current health insurance coverage. Our direct primary care model works alongside your insurance by offering affordable, membership-based access to personalized healthcare without the need for insurance billing or copays. This means you get more direct time and communication with your provider for routine care, while your insurance can still cover specialist visits, hospitalizations, or medications outside our clinic. It’s the best of both worlds—affordable, convenient primary care plus your existing insurance for broader medical needs!

Question 7

Who benefits most from using Direct Primary Care membership?

Accepted Answer

A: The Direct Primary Care model is ideal for individuals and families seeking affordable, personalized healthcare without the complexity of insurance billing or copays. Those who benefit most include people with chronic conditions requiring regular monitoring, busy professionals who value quick and direct access to their provider, and anyone wanting a strong, continuous relationship with a healthcare team focused on prevention and wellness. Our membership-based approach eliminates typical barriers, giving you unlimited visits and direct communication, making it perfect for those who want proactive, accessible care tailored to their unique needs.

Question 8

How do you handle labs, imaging, and medication services for its members?

Accepted Answer

A:  Our model offers members direct access to their healthcare provider without the complications of insurance billing. For labs and imaging, we coordinate with trusted local facilities to ensure timely and convenient testing when necessary, often at negotiated rates that align with our affordability commitment. We provide clear guidance on when and where to obtain these services, streamlining the process and minimizing out-of-pocket expenses. Regarding medications, we offer prescription management with an emphasis on cost-effective options, including generic alternatives when appropriate. We can send prescriptions directly to a pharmacy of your choice, and members benefit from personalized consultations to discuss medication use and adherence. We also offer some medications dispensed in our clinic. This integrated approach supports comprehensive care while maintaining transparency and convenience for our membership-based practice.

Question 9

Q: Can I cancel my membership and how does the billing work?

Accepted Answer

A: Absolutely! You can cancel your membership anytime by providing a 30-day written notice. This policy ensures a smooth transition while maintaining the quality care you expect from our Direct Primary Care model. Payments are automatically taken on the first of each month. Enrollment in the middle of the month, may be prorated. Please note that payments made on the 1st of each month cover that entire month’s services, so cancellations take effect after the current billing period. We’re committed to making your healthcare experience flexible, affordable, and stress-free with no hidden fees or insurance hassles.

Question 10

Will Direct Primary Care services replace the need for urgent care or emergency room visits?

Accepted Answer

A: While DPC provides comprehensive preventive care, chronic disease management, and same-day or next-day appointments for non-emergency concerns, it is not designed to replace urgent care or emergency room services. For medical situations that are severe, life-threatening, or require immediate intervention, such as chest pain, severe trauma, or difficulty breathing, patients should seek emergency care right away. Jessica Gerner, DPC complements urgent and emergency care by managing routine and ongoing health needs efficiently, helping reduce unnecessary urgent care visits but always advising patients to use emergency services when appropriate.

Question 11

Do you see children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, children over the age of 2 can be enrolled.

Question 12

How do I enroll?

Accepted Answer

A:To get started, visit our website and complete the online registration form with your personal and contact information. Once submitted, a team member will reach out to guide you through selecting the membership plan that best suits your needs. After enrollment, you gain immediate access to your dedicated primary care provider for virtual consultations, unlimited messaging, and same- or next-day appointments. Membership fees are billed monthly with no hidden costs, ensuring transparent and predictable healthcare expenses. This membership model prioritizes personalized care and convenience, giving you a seamless healthcare experience tailored to your lifestyle.

Question 13

Why do you limit the number of patients?

Accepted Answer

A:  We intentionally limit the number of patients in our care to ensure every member receives personalized, attentive, and high-quality healthcare. By maintaining smaller patient panels, our providers can spend more time with each individual, truly understand their unique health needs, and offer direct access without the usual constraints of traditional insurance-based models. This approach allows us to focus on prevention, timely care, and a stronger provider-patient relationship—core values that define our membership-based, affordable healthcare experience. Limiting patient panels means better health outcomes and a more rewarding experience for you!

Question 14

What should I expect during my first appointment?

Accepted Answer

A: At your first appointment is designed to be thorough and personalized to set the foundation for your ongoing care. We will begin by completing necessary paperwork to streamline your visit. Next, your provider will perform a comprehensive physical exam tailored to your health needs. If needed, we may order lab work or testing to gain deeper insights into your health. During this time, we will also review our practice policies and discuss your personal health goals alongside any concerns you may have. Because we prioritize your well-being and individualized attention, these initial visits typically take between 1 to 2 hours, depending on your health conditions and questions. Our membership-based, direct primary care model ensures you receive attentive, affordable care without insurance hassles or copays, giving you direct access to your provider from day one.

Question 15

Are there any medications that you do not prescribe?

Accepted Answer

A: Yes, Jessica Gerner, NP-DPC does not accept patients seeking pharmaceutical treatment for chronic pain involving narcotics. In alignment with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated Opioid Prescribing Guidelines, which aim to address the prescription drug abuse epidemic, we have chosen to limit our prescribing practices to promote safer pain management. Patients currently using opioids for chronic pain are encouraged to consult specialized pain management providers who focus on comprehensive, multidisciplinary approaches beyond medication-based therapies. Our clinic is committed to providing accessible, affordable primary care while prioritizing patient safety and responsible prescribing.

All Your Health Care Questions