Question 1

What is Direct Primary Care?

Accepted Answer

Practically speaking, DPC is a membership model for healthcare. You can choose me to be your provider and you will join my team- I'll be available to you for your in home visits, telehealth, texting, emailing and phone calls. Every patient pays a flat monthly fee to become a member of the DPC practice. Membership provides you access to a doctor that cares about you and knows the intricacies of your family. Clear communication is so important for good healthcare and I promise to never have a phone tree when you need to speak with me.

Question 2

Since I am purchasing a medical membership, should I cancel my insurance policy through my work?

Accepted Answer

DPC is not an insurance plan, and you should absolutely still have insurance. Your membership will cover everything regular pediatrics services would provide, including in-home testing (urine, strep, flu, mono, covid, glucose, cholesterol testing), injury care, well care, and treatments (even things like breathing treatments or decadron for croup). If any imaging or labs are needed, these would be obtained through a local center such as simonmed or sonora quest/lab corp who would bill directly to your insurance the same as a traditional pediatrics practice. I will be providing most immunizations in the home and those will be billed through your insurance via pharmacy benefits.

Insurance is recommended for unexpected events which include ER/Urgent care visits, hospitalizations, and needed subspecialty services, etc.  If you already have insurance, that’s great, no further action is needed.  If you’re looking for insurance, some can be purchased to work with what my DPC clinic already provides; for example, a commercial plan with a lower premium/ higher deductible such as Health Sharing Ministries (ie. MediShare, Sedera, Liberty HealthShare).

Question 3

Can I use my FSA/HSA for payments?

Accepted Answer

I have the ability to charge both FSA and HSA cards through my medical billing system. There are varying opinions on the use of HSA/FSA accounts for medical membership.  I will not ask what kind of card you are using to keep on file for your membership so as to stay out of the realm of financial advising.  You should contact your insurance provider or tax expert to see if non covered medical services are eligible.

Question 4

My child never gets sick; why would I pay for a DPC membership when they only see a doctor once a year?

Accepted Answer

I'm glad that your child is healthy, and the best way to maintain their excellent health is through partnership with a primary care physician. Many healthy people have health concerns which they would like to discuss with a doctor, but they don’t want to wait a month for an appointment, take off work, and pay a co-pay.  DPC eliminates this need since you can have direct communication via text, phone, email, or telehealth.  No need to wait until the yearly visit to get your questions or concerns addressed and no need to worry about hidden fees in getting your questions answered.  If they do get sick, most patients are seen in the comfort of their own home during same or next-day visits.

Question 5

How will I get in touch with Dr. Van Tassel?

Accepted Answer

As a DPC patient, you will have my direct phone number to call or text for any urgent matters from 7am-10pm.  Of course, if it’s a medical emergency and you can’t reach me, please go to the emergency department for evaluation and treatment.  For non-urgent issues, you may email me.

During the year, I will take intermittent vacation days, but I will notify my team members through email ahead of time. Despite being on vacation, I can still answer urgent questions but will not address email concerns that can wait until my return.

Question 6

What if I need medical attention while I’m away from home?

Accepted Answer

In the age of telemedicine, many conditions can be diagnosed and treated via a simple conversation by phone or telemedicine. If appropriate, I will locate the nearest pharmacy and order medication most suited for your circumstance. If you need to go to the hospital or seek other medical attention while away from home, I can advise you on that as well.

Question 7

Why are you leaving the "regular"/fee for service medical field?

Accepted Answer

Fee-for-service medicine comes with a lot of unnecessary stress - there are so many prior authorizations and billing headaches. Due to decreasing payments from insurance companies, doctors must see more and more patients in less and less time. The bottom line is that insurance companies play the “cost shifting” game with patients and physicians – shifting more and more healthcare costs to patients, tightening coverage and access for patients, and at the same time negotiating discounted reimbursements for physicians. For me personally, I was losing my "spark" and enjoyment of work due to the need for more paperwork and less time with my wonderful patients. I believe the DPC model is a win-win for patients and physicians, where value and quality are key. In the DPC model, I have more autonomy and can spend more time with each patient, both in person and virtually, to provide the kind of quality care I always imagined.

Question 8

If I have AHCCCS, can I still be a patient at Home Base Pediatrics?

Accepted Answer

This is something that no longer appears to be an option as direct primary care doesn't lend well to the medicaid model. Medicaid's billing structure is complex with various codes and regulations. Integrating this with DPC's direct payment model is proving to be impossible (requires additional staff, billing services and resources which I do not have at this time). Additionally, medicaid plans don't cover telemedicine and the extended appointment times that I offer with my practice which would potentially limit my ability to provide the best services possible to every patient I care for. Please call if you have private insurance and secondary AHCCCS as this is something that I may be able to help with.

Question 9

What if I want to cancel my membership?

Accepted Answer

If you are not completely satisfied with my care, you may cancel with no penalty.  30 days written notice is required.  If you miss my personalized care and want to return as a patient at a later date you will be placed at the end of the wait list.

Frequently asked questions