Frequently Asked Questions
What is direct primary care (DPC)?
It is growing in popularity, an alternative health care model linking patients directly to their PCP. Rather than bill insurance companies for services, the practice charges a monthly membership fee. This greatly reduces the total number of patients under the care of the provider, simplifies operations, and reduces administrative burden, leading to an improved patient and provider experience.
Do you accept insurance?
No, the practice does not bill insurance for any services. Patients with Medicare, commercial insurance, or no insurance enjoy the same membership benefits with their monthly fee. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate patients with Medicaid due to federal regulations.
Can I still use my insurance for anything?
Yes, patients can still use their insurance for lab work, medications at the pharmacy, imaging, and specialty visits. Those facilities will bill insurance just like they would normally do. Patients can review the discounted cash pay rate for lab work and imaging tests, which may be less expensive than what the out-of-pocket cost would be with insurance.
Should I still carry my health insurance plan?
Yes, It is highly recommended you retain some type of health insurance to cover very expensive events like ER visits and surgeries, as well as visits to specialists. A high-deductible health insurance plan is usually cost-effective, but doesn’t provide any benefits until you reach the deductible, which can be $5,000-$10,000. These type of plans pair well with a DPC practice which aim to keep your out-of-pocket costs low.
It is important to note that enrolling with our clinic is NOT the same as having insurance. We do not provide health insurance.
What are the benefits of being a member?
Your membership includes an annual preventative care visit, nutrition and wellness counseling, unlimited office or telehealth visits for acute or chronic issues, extended appointment times (30-60min), easy scheduling, communication via phone/text/email, discounted cash pricing for labs/imaging, optional home visits, and much more.
Is direct primary care the same as concierge medicine?
No, the two models share many similarities and benefits. However, direct care practices do not bill insurance whereas concierge practices usually bill insurance and also charge a high monthly fee for membership.
Why should I pay to join your practice when I can see a PCP through my insurance?
Many PCPs in traditional practices have a large panel of patients, seeing 20+ per day, leading to many appointments being only 15 minutes in duration. Due to the busy nature of these practices, talking directly to your provider outside of an appointment is very difficult or even impossible. It can take hours- days to get questions answered and concerns addressed. Often, they do not have the time and resources to work up problems leading to multiple referrals to specialists which can lead to patients feeling unheard and frustrated.
Is Stufft Precision Health owned or controlled by any type of big business or insurance company?
No. We are a locally owned small business. This is really the strength of the concept, we do not work for any insurance companies or healthcare corporations. This gives more freedom to practice medicine for the good of the patient, rather than meeting quotas.
Can I really call, text, or email you with health questions?
Yes, many issues do not require an office visit. Quick questions or follow-up information can easily be addressed by phone, email, or text. More complicated topics or issues that require a physical exam will necessitate an office visit (in-person or telehealth).
How does a DPC membership affect an HSA?
Beginning in 2026, having a direct primary care membership no longer disqualifies someone from contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA), provided certain criteria are met. To qualify, the monthly DPC fees must stay below $150 for individuals or $300 for families. The membership cannot include prescription medications, services not typically provided in a standard outpatient primary care setting, and procedures requiring general anesthesia.
DPC membership fees are considered eligible medical expenses, which means patients may be able to use HSA funds (pre-tax dollars) to pay for their membership. We do advise against using the HSA for our advanced packages.
It is important to note that these updates apply specifically to HSAs. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are not automatically included under this change. Patients with FSAs should check with their plan administrator to confirm whether DPC fees are eligible for reimbursement.
Do you offer advanced or integrative testing?
Yes, we do offer advanced lab testing and integrative evaluations for patients interested in deeper, root cause care. Depending on the package, this can range from hormone balancing, gut health, peptides and much more.
Do you offer vaccines?
No. It is not cost effective to buy and store vaccinations at this time. You can receive any vaccines through either your local pharmacy or health department. If you are a parent concerned about and/or wish to deviate from the standard vaccination schedule, we will never reject you or your children from this practice. We are judgement free. I support parental rights to make informed decisions and oppose vaccine mandates.
“The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.”
-Hippocrates, approximately 400 B.C.