FAQ

What is a physician assistant?

Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, and often serve as a patient’s principal healthcare provider. Under Florida law, a PA is able to do most things a MD/DO may do. PAs may not perform major surgeries or write controlled substance prescriptions for longer than three to seven days. Every ten years, a PA is required to re-certify their license.

IS DIRECT PRIMARY CARE FOR ME?

Direct primary care utilizes preventive medicine, which is healthier and cheaper for patients. DPC is for you if: (1) You do not have insurance and want access to preventive, urgent, and chronic healthcare. (2) You have a high deductible insurance plan, which leads to large out-of-pocket expenses for primary and urgent care needs. (3) You have health insurance but are regularly unable to schedule an appointment at your primary care’s office in a timely manner. (4) You are a business owner with less than 50 employees and cannot afford insurance for your employees but want to offer a form of healthcare to them. (5) You are a business owner with stop loss insurance and you want to cut down on your out-of-pocket expenses for employees’ health problems.

Free consultations are available to see if St. Pete Direct Primary Care is right for you!

MAY I USE MY INSURANCE TO PAY FOR DPC?

Your insurance will not cover DPC services, such as membership fees, but it may cover imaging studies or laboratory tests ordered by the DPC provider. This decision will be up to the insurance company. Each member is encouraged to inquire with their insurance company as each insurance policy is so different on what is and isn’t covered.

DOES DPC Replace my insurance?

DPC does not replace insurance but does complement it. Patients are encouraged to carry some form of insurance in the case of emergency/catastrophic injury or illness.

HOW QUICKLY CAN I SEE THE PROVIDER?

Each provider has a maximum of 500 patients. Most patients will not need to frequently be seen in the clinic. This allows a patient in need to schedule a same or next day appointment. Also, once a patient is established, some medical issues may be handled over the phone, if so desired by the patient.

IS THE PROVIDER AVAILABLE 24/7?

Calls, texts, and emails will be answered as quickly as possible. The provider may not respond immediately to late night inquiries. As there will be a 500 member limit per provider, same or next day visits will be available. The provider will respect the importance of your time and asks the same in return.

When the provider is out of town, another provider will be available for any urgent office visit needs. All situations that can be handled electronically will still be handled by your primary provider.

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES

Per Florida law, controlled substances may only be prescribed by a PA for three to seven days. Refills will NOT be given.

Medical marijuana prescriptions cannot be written by PAs at this time.

House Calls

House calls will not be a regular service but may be considered as a result of certain circumstances. An additional fee may be required for this service.

HOW DO I PAY?

Membership fees and costs of certain procedures may be paid in cash, auto-drafted from a checking account, charged to credit cards, or sent via Venmo/PayPal.

HOW DO I CANCEL MY MEMBERSHIP

Written notice must be given 30 days in advance to terminate the membership.