What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
DPC is a model of healthcare that emphasizes the direct relationship between the primary care physician and patient. With a DPC model, we do not bill insurance, the patient pays the physician a set monthly fee, eliminating the involvement of insurance companies in decisions about their care.
What is LakeshoreMD?
LakeshoreMD is Grand Haven’s first Direct Primary Care practice. The goal of this practice is to provide personal care and attention focused on your health care needs whether in the office or at home.
How is DPC different from insurance based models of healthcare?
DPC practices offer longer office visits, reduced wait times for appointments, reduced prices for labs, diagnostic studies, and medications, and increased access to your physician through a variety of communication modes including in-person visits, telephone, text, email, and telemedicine. DPC physicians typically manage significantly fewer patients than traditional practices (300 to 600 patients versus 2,000 to 3,000 patients). This allows for improved access and longer visits with your physician. More importantly, small patient panels coupled with the elimination of insurance company-mandated administrative work, allows your physician time that is so essential to building a quality doctor-patient relationship. This is medicine as it was always meant to be practiced.
Is DPC the same as concierge medicine?
No. Concierge physicians typically charge a higher fee for access and they bill insurance for services on top of their annual fee. They also typically do not offer access to low cost labs and medications.
Is DPC health insurance?
NO. Direct Primary Care is NOT health insurance, nor does LakeshoreMD participate in health insurance plans. However, we encourage patients to have insurance to cover for emergency, hospital, and specialist care.
Can I still use my insurance to pay for labs, medications, imaging, and specialists?
Yes, absolutely. As mentioned, we encourage all of our patients to have insurance in addition to their DPC membership to help cover the costs of emergency room visits, surgeries, specialist visits, and hospitalizations. However, it may be more cost-effective for the patient to use LakeshoreMD’s pre-negotiated cash pay rates.
Do I have to have health insurance to become a patient?
No. However, it is encouraged to have health insurance as mentioned above.
What’s included in my membership? (see pricing section for additional details)
Instead of billing per visit to a third party payer, with LakeshoreMD, you can visit your doctor as many times as needed for a low monthly fee with no copay. You will have direct access to your doctor by phone, text, or email, and most in-office procedures are included. You’ll also enjoy longer visits with your doctor and coordinated care, plus discount pricing on lab tests, prescriptions, and diagnostics.
If I have Medicare or Medicaid, can I still join LakeshoreMD?
Absolutely! However, we work for you. Thus, your monthly membership fee cannot be submitted to Medicare or Medicaid for reimbursement. You will need to sign a waiver that declares that neither you nor LakeshoreMD (Dr. Mehra) will bill Medicare or Medicaid for your membership fees. You can still use your Medicare and Medicaid insurance for specialist visits, hospitalizations, labs, medications, and imaging.
Does LakeshoreMD offer vaccinations?
At this time, LakeshoreMD is unable to provide vaccinations. However, vaccination review and travel vaccinations can be discussed. Vaccinations are available at local health departments and pharmacies. Many pharmacies can bill to the insurance company. Before signing up with LakeshoreMD, Dr. Mehra can discuss options for infant and child vaccinations.
Does LakeshoreMD offer chronic pain management?
We are not pain specialists, so LakeshoreMD does not prescribe opioids for chronic pain. However, we can offer alternatives and will happily refer you to pain specialists.
I am interested in direct primary care for my family and friends who do not live nearby. Are there other direct primary care practices throughout the country?
Yes! Take a look at this link for other locations for direct primary care practices: https://mapper.dpcfrontier.com/
Still have questions about LakeshoreMD? We can be reached by phone or email. Please do not leave any personal health information or health questions. If interested in becoming a member of LakeshoreMD, please click to ENROLL .