What is direct primary care (DPC)?

Direct primary care brings back a simple relationship between a patient and doctor. You pay a monthly membership fee to your doctor - roughly the cost of a monthly cell phone bill. By paying for your primary care this way, insurance companies or hospital management do not oversee your relationship with your doctor - you and your doctor do this together.

What does the monthly membership fee cover?

Membership covers all visits for chronic medical conditions, acute illnesses, and annual physicals. The same monthly fee covers as many visits, or contacts with your primary care doctor, as you require. In addition, as a member, you may purchase at-cost medications from us and have at-cost labs drawn in our office.

What is NOT covered by a membership fee?

Medications (although you might find your prescription available from Hearthstone for an excellent price) and tests (although DPC offers extremely affordable lab draws in our office). Certain office procedures may incur a nominal fee.

Any medical care you receive outside of your DPC physician is not covered by your membership fee.

What if I have to see another provider (a specialist, an urgent care/ER provider, etc.)?

Dr. Brickley will provide referrals, of course, for specialist care when necessary. You will need to use your insurance for services received outside of your DPC physician, or self-pay.

What if I need a test or x-ray?

Dr. Brickley offers many at-cost labs tests at Hearthstone to members. Members can also access $50 x-rays through a Brattleboro provider.

If you need (or choose) to do a test or image outside of your primary care physician, you will use your insurance, or self-pay.

What if I have Medicare or Medicaid or private insurance?

You will use your insurance to cover services you receive outside of Hearthstone. For example, if you need to go to the emergency room or see a specialist or require hospitalization, you will use your Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance coverage.

What if I am uninsured?

We will provide you with extremely cost-effective (see pricing below), personalized care with one of our PCPs. You will need to pay for any specialists, emergency room visits, or any other care you require outside of Hearthstone. We are not health insurance.

How do I pay my monthly membership fee?

You can pay your fee monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Your credit card can be billed automatically through our secure site, or you can write us a check.

What if I decide to cancel?

We hope you don't, but you can cancel anytime by giving us 60 days advance notice.

Is DPC the same as a concierge practice?

No. Concierge practices may also collect membership fees, but generally they also charge for each visit to the doctor's office. Some also bill insurance in addition to collecting a membership fee. (DPC doctors do not bill insurance. A membership fee with us includes all visits.)