It doesn’t. Instead, it allows us to work directly for you, rather than for insurance companies. The for-profit insurance industry has put many layers between people and their doctors, leaving less time for visits, and has industrialized our industry. As far as doctors go, this has made us feel rushed, overwhelmed, and pulled in too many directions when we would rather be working with you to improve your health. By not working directly with insurance, we can:
These are all included with Direct Primary Care. There will be many times when we can deal with an issue by messaging or phone that we can’t afford to do with insurance coverage plans.
We do not bill Medicare in our Direct Primary Care practice. Medicare simply doesn’t acknowledge or pay for many of the unique and helpful services we offer in our Direct Primary Care practice so we opt out of billing them. If you are currently enrolled with Medicare and want to switch to Direct Primary Care to save money or for the unique services it offers you will be asked to sign a form at or before your first visit that shows you understand we will not bill Medicare for any of our Direct Primary Care practice visits or services and that you agree to not bill Medicare for any of our services. Your Medicare may still be billed for any and all services outside our Direct Primary Care practice, including but not limited to labs, radiology, specialist visits, and hospital care. Being a part of our Direct Primary Care practice doesn’t impact your ability to use Medicare for everything else!
We recommend everyone have some form of health insurance, but health insurance is not required simply to be a member of our Direct Primary Care practice. Health insurance helps pay for things that happen outside of our clinic, such as emergency and hospital care, imaging, non-standard laboratory testing, and specialist consultations. Most individuals or families will want to have a high deductible plan that covers catastrophic events. Our affordable membership is designed to cover your basic primary care needs for a predictable, transparent monthly price.
Health insurance doesn’t guarantee you access to a doctor, to quality care or to the type of care you want. What we offer is a reliable, continuous partnership with a staff and doctors who really know you. In Direct Primary Care, we offer the ability to communicate directly and in a timely manner. We also reserve same/next day visits for urgent medical needs for all Direct Primary Care members.
Ultimately this model can save a lot of money for the individual and the system. It offers better access and better care. The model may not be for everyone, but many are finding it ideal for their medical care.
Beginning in 2026, a new federal law will allow patients with qualifying insurance plans to use Health Savings Account (HSA) funds to pay for Direct Primary Care membership fees up to specified limits.
Until then, current laws state that HSA dollars cannot be used for your Direct Primary Care membership fee, but can be used for all other medical care you receive, including labs, radiology, hospital care, specialty visits, etc. FSAs may be used depending on the employer’s FSA criteria, so check directly with your employer or plan administrator, especially if you’re a part of our Direct Primary Care for local businesses.
You are paying for access whether you use our clinic one a year for your annual physical or more frequently. “The first wealth is health” as the adage goes. Your membership fee is an investment in your health, as you will be gaining the support of medical professionals who know your history and care about your longevity and vitality. This access entails unlimited clinic visits either in person, telemedicine or by phone (typically whenever you need them), and prompt communication through email, phone, or patient portal messaging.
Our monthly membership fees will never change more than once annually in accordance with state law, and we will always give members at least 60 days notice of any impending change. The exception is that patients who cross an age threshold (e.g. from childhood to adulthood or patients who turn 65) will see their membership type and fee schedule change.
No. Typically, concierge medicine charges high access (rather than membership) fees but will also still bill insurance and Medicare. Navigating the legal complexities required to bill both insurance and patient access fees requires sizable staffing and legal support.
Instead, the Direct Primary Care model that Eventide Health follows does not bill insurance or Medicare, thus minimizing overhead costs. Therefore, Direct Primary Care rates are typically far less than what concierge medicine practices charge.
The annual influenza vaccine is available seasonally. Other adult vaccines are available through the pharmacy, and we will work with you if a prescription is needed. We also work with families that include children to obtain childhood vaccines through the San Juan County Immunization Clinics, which offer childhood vaccines for a small sliding scale fee.
Yes, Direct Primary Care is our core focus. We do offer one-off basic medical flight examinations and urgent care services for visitors for a fee. Inquire by calling the clinic or through the Contact Us form.
Any service that happens outside our clinic is not included in the membership, such as emergency and hospital care, imaging, non-standard laboratory testing, specialist consultations, physical therapy, and others. Additionally, some in-clinic special procedures (e.g., platelet-rich plasma joint injections) are not included per the Member Agreement, though any additional fees will be transparently discussed and agreed to ahead of any procedures.
Your hospital stay will be billed to your insurance or Medicare as usual. You’ll still get follow-up care here in our clinic via Direct Primary Care visits.
You can still access your Direct Primary Care membership even if you travel or live anywhere else in the world for part of the year, subject to applicable licensure laws based on your location at the time of service. Visits and communication can take place via telemedicine, phone, email or patient portal messaging.
You may cancel your membership at any time as per your contract and receive the prorated amount of monthly fees to the date of cancellation. If you change your mind, you may apply to rejoin our Direct Primary Care practice after a waiting period of 3 months. Eventide cannot guarantee re-enrollment.
With Eventide Direct Care for business option it may be possible for you to help provide healthcare to your employees at a more affordable rate or earn back the out-of-pocket expenses you would otherwise pay. We can also provide services for those who are unable to be insured including migrant workers. Your employees in this model statistically have fewer sick days, less hospital and ER admissions and can therefore be more productive members of your team. They no longer have to miss work for a last minute appointment.
Per Washington State law for Direct Primary Care practices we cannot contract directly with your business BUT you may pay the membership dues for your employees with the option of paying for their family if you would like this to be part of your benefits package.
Membership does NOT mean this is insurance or comprehensive coverage so it is strongly advised for you or your employees to look for a reasonable, low cost but high deductible coverage for hospitalizations, ER visits or high cost healthcare. Our plan only covers primary care at Eventide Health.
Membership includes:
Please contact us if you would like to schedule a meeting to review membership benefits and how this model could save you money.
