why direct primary care?

Health insurance is very useful, even essential for expensive healthcare costs, like hospitalization, emergency room visits and for specialty care. Excellent primary care can be achieved by having improved access to a primary care doctor who KNOWS you, like doctors used to know their patients in days past. This is what DPC doctors are seeking to restore to primary care. You receive better (unrushed) care. By providing the standard of care that I spent decades in training to learn, you also get a happier doctor! And who doesn’t want that?

Is direct primary care the same as concierge medicine?

No, it is not. Concierge medicine is more expensive, typically paid by an annual, biannual or quarterly fee of several thousand dollars, and your insurance is still billed. Concierge medicine, also has the undertone of being more exclusive or that you are paying to have your own personal doctor.

DPC is designed to be more affordable, is a monthly membership-based model. While you may keep your insurance plan for catastrophic medical care, I will not bill your insurance for any services I provide.

why is this model membership-based? why can’t i just pay a set price to see you when i need to?

Paying for as-needed/urgent care is very appropriate for acute injuries. Membership models like direct primary care allow continual access to your doctor. Building the patient-doctor relationship has been proven to improve overall health and reduce overall healthcare costs. You and I take the time to get to know each other and agree upon every treatment plan. With direct primary care, you may see me for your physical, but also text me with questions about how to best treat your allergy symptoms. If you have a migraine, you text me and we schedule an office visit for an injection. We may discuss your concerns about your hormone levels via telehealth if that is convenient for you. We may even discuss and implement your individualized physician-directed weight loss plan together. I try to keep you out of the ER or urgent care when medically appropriate, and meet most of your medical needs by providing hands-on, individualized, continuous year-long care.

How do you pronounce your last name?

“Deh-Ah-sah”. First name is pronounced “doctor”. 😉

why is pricing arranged by age?

Since many illnesses become more common with increasing age, it is anticipated that many (though not all) individuals will have greater healthcare needs and thus require more time, referral and resources as they age. For example, even for a healthy person, several screening tests and vaccines are recommended for all individuals of a certain age, regardless of their health status.

Some dpc providers promise 24/7 access. do you, dr. de aza?

For non-urgent/non life-threatening issues that can be addressed the following business day, you can expect to receive a response the next morning with advice on the next steps. This might include advice to come into the office for a test, or to have a telemedicine (video) visit for further instruction, or a detailed email response. If you believe you are having a life-threatening emergency (stroke or heart attack symptoms), please call 911 first, then you may have a family member contact me to keep me posted and offer advice if necessary.

What if I have to cancel my membership for some reason?

You may cancel your membership at any time, for any reason. You would simply send me a message requesting to cancel. I want you to stay for as long as you are happy with the care I provide. If not, I hope you feel comfortable sharing your concerns with me.

how do i pay for my membership or other services?

Upon enrolling as a member, you will first provide medical information, which will go directly into your electronic health record. At the end of enrollment, you will provide your credit card information, which will not be charged until the day you select (1st, 15th or 30th of the month).

do you take medicare?

I do not take any form of insurance, although I recommend you keep the insurance you have for unforeseen emergency medical needs. In some cases, you may choose to use your insurance for labs, imaging and/or vaccines. However, I will not bill or submit claims to any insurance. I am happy to discuss this with you further via email or at our meet-and-greet!

do i have to wear a mask when i see you?

Yes, you must wear a mask upon entering the office. This is for your protection, mine and for patients who may be immune compromised. I would also strongly recommend being vaccinated, but this is not required in order to see me.