Frequently Asked Questions

Our main focus is to keep our members healthy, but we do treat a variety of health problems. Preventative care is paramount and all patients begin with a comprehensive physical. Below is a list of some of the conditions we treat. 

• Chronic Condition Management: diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, thyroid disorders, weight management, depression, arthritis, acne, eczema, asthma, COPD, allergies, smoking cessation.
• Acute illnesses: colds, flu, strep, pneumonia, UTIs, ear aches, skin infections, rashes, allergic reactions, poison ivy
• Injuries: sprains, strains, lacerations, abrasions, insect bites.

Unfortunately, thousands of patients die of accidental overdoses from pain medications like oxycodone. Many others become dependent or addicted to them. Regulations, red tape, and DEA scrutiny of providers prescribing opiates continues to grow. We avoid prescribing narcotics in general and do not manage chronic opioid use. We also do not manage chronic benzodiazepine use.

Direct primary care (DPC) is a healthcare model where the patient receives comprehensive primary care from their provider. That means treating you when you need it, never rushing through appointments, and being proactive with healthcare treatment plans. The provider-patient relationship is just as the name suggests – direct. Direct primary care practices don’t accept insurance; rather we work directly with the patient. All your primary care needs are covered with an affordable monthly fee – there are no copays or coinsurance.

All patients are encouraged to have at least major medical insurance coverage. The ACA legislation does exempt patients from the underinsured/non­insured tax if you have major medical/catastrophic coverage and a provider on retainer. 

One way to save money on your healthcare is by getting insurance with low premiums and high deductibles. DPC clinics such as Daisy Family Health strive to eliminate insurance claims. Let's say you need some routine lab tests. Why pay $200 toward a deductible you're unlikely to meet when you can get the same tests from Daisy Family Health for $20 in cash? Another option is to be a part of a healthshare, when you opt for a healthshare you are part of something greater than yourself.  

Yes, we are now taking Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Arizona Foundation and Tricare West. There are people who would like to become patients, but cannot afford to pay for health insurance and the membership. Our love for the community has to be considered and thus we are going to be taking a few insurances. 

We recommend that you check with your health insurance plan, insurance broker, or tax professional. IRS regulations indicate that primary care services are covered medical expenses reimbursable through HSAs and FSAs, but at the same time, the current IRS commissioner claims that DPC memberships are health plans, and therefore fees are not reimbursable when employees combine DPC with any other “health plan” (like the catastrophic or high deductible insurance most DPC patients need).  The Affordable Care Act complicates matters further and several state laws have declared that DPC plans are not insurance. The issue is being addressed at the federal level with legislation called the Primary Care Enhancement Act.  

We cannot advise you to use your HSA account to pay for your monthly membership, but thousands of patients pay this way in DPC practices across the country.  Fee-for-service care is an option for those wanting to use their HSA funds while avoiding the possible conflict with the current IRS interpretation of DPC monthly fees.  Paying annually with your HSA is another option, as the IRS has allowed HSA use for prepaid annual medical fees when it includes a yearly physical and other medical services on the end-of-year itemized receipt. 

The terms are often mistakenly used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Both DPC and concierge practices charge a periodic fee, however, under the concierge model, this fee only gets you access; that is, it doesn't actually cover any of your care. Instead a concierge practice still bills insurance for your visits. Under DPC, your visits and other care are included in your fee, plus you're provided with other incredible benefits like wholesale pricing for labs, radiology studies, alternative therapies like supplements, vitamin infusions. You also have a direct digital communication with your provider, via the patient portal. 

About 500 patients will be enrolled per provider, and slots will be  filling up quickly. That’s quite a difference from the 2,500-3,000 patients in traditional practices. Please do not wait until you need care to attempt to sign up, or we may not be accepting any more patients at that time. Because illness and injury can happen at any time, you may call your provider any day. We encourage texting, emailing and using the patient portal for minor issues and questions. We can also have telemedicine visits for our members. 

Now That Is Custom Health Care!