FAQs

You can find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. If you would like more information, please call us at 781.265.2572.

Membership Medicine and You

How does our practice differ from the typical traditional practice?

You will experience the difference immediately when you visit us at Clarity Health & Wellness. Our entire office has been designed to create a relaxing and comfortable experience for you, from the reception area to the exam rooms. There is little, if any, waiting time. We will take the time to address your health concerns and questions with me, and your office visits will never feel rushed.  

Because my practice is limited to just a few hundred, not thousands, of patients, I really get to know my patients so I can take a more proactive role in your health and wellness and be there when you need me.

My goal is to provide you with an experience that will not just meet, but exceed, your expectations for a doctor’s office.

What is Membership Medicine? 

Membership medicine, sometimes referred to as “Concierge” or “Direct Primary Care” medicine, is an exciting and rapidly growing model to provide primary care without the costly interference of health insurance companies. Instead, our patients pay us directly through a convenient and affordable flat monthly fee, and we are not confined to 10 or 15-minute appointment slots mandated by health insurance companies.

This model allows me to see many fewer patients, and provide you with extremely convenient, personalized and preventive care when you need it. Our focus on ensuring a strong and satisfying doctor-patient relationship is the key to helping you stay healthy.

It’s the way I’ve always wanted and expected to practice medicine!

What does membership include?

For non-Medicare patients, your membership covers the primary care services we provide in our office (with the exception of vaccines/COVID testing). For Medicare patients, the membership fee for is for all non-covered services.

Your membership includes an annual comprehensive physical exam that incorporates thorough screening and diagnostic tests, and focuses on nutrition, fitness and exercise, lifestyle management, mental wellness, stress management, and chronic disease management. The result is a customized wellness plan that will guide you to achieving and maintaining more optimum health and disease prevention. The plan will include follow-up intervals in the office, as well as other forms of communication support. The exam (which is in addition to insurance- covered or Medicare-covered annual wellness visits), customized plan and individualized follow-up results in a far more connected version of primary care.

Also, we can provide a great amount of care by phone, email and text, including virtual visits when appropriate. We are available to discuss urgent concerns nights and weekends when needed. We are working hard to create a practice where you can reach us when you need us, without having to jump through many hoops! 

You will enjoy greater convenience and peace of mind. You may also find a reduced need for visits to specialists and the emergency department/urgent care. 

See the many services you will receive.

Will I still benefit from membership even if I don’t expect to need frequent medical attention?

Absolutely. I believe patients would see their doctor more if it were easier to communicate, more private, and less hassle. 

At Clarity Health & Wellness, we make it easy for my patients to communicate with me and visit me in the office. I listen carefully to you to understand how your life, work and family situations may be affecting your health — physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Besides acute care and managing illness, our focus is on adopting healthy lifestyle habits. We want to identify and prevent disease and other risk factors, concentrating our efforts on your lifetime health and wellness. Together we create a personalized plan to achieve and maintain your optimal health. 

Advanced diagnostic tests can help us identify risk factors and health issues before they cause disease, saving you money, time, suffering and higher costs in the long run. Unlike the traditional practice environment, we have the time to deliver this type of comprehensive and detailed care.  

Who does this membership plan work best for?
  • Patients desiring easy and direct communication with their doctor
  • Patients who want a doctor to address the underlying cause of illness, not to just treat the symptoms
  • Those who want to take part in improving their health and staying well
  • Patients who want a physician with traditional training but an open mind to non-traditional treatments (examples include health coaching, meditation, acupuncture)
  • Patients who are too busy to spend time waiting in a doctor’s office to be seen
  • Those with high insurance premiums, high-deductible health plans or no insurance
  • Self-insured businesses seeking to provide their employees with affordable health care and improved wellbeing, while simultaneously reducing everyone’s healthcare spending

Appointments, Referrals and Care

What happens if I’m admitted to the emergency room or hospital?

This can be a stressful and often confusing experience for patients and their families.  

You will be cared for by a hospitalist team. I will communicate with them, review your plan of care, answer questions, and make recommendations as needed.  As your health care advocate, I will communicate directly with you and your loved ones, and help you navigate the health care system.

Do you make home visits?

Yes, I will see patients in their home in medically appropriate situations, and on a case-by-case basis.

What if I need specialty care?

As a family medicine physician, my comprehensive training allows me to handle most of your healthcare needs. If you need to see a specialist, we will help you find the right doctor. When making referrals, we can consult with your specialist prior to your appointment, as needed.

After your specialist visit, we will follow up to discuss any of your questions or concerns, and arrange additional testing and management if needed.

What if I need urgent care?

If you have a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911 or go to the ER immediately. Otherwise, you can contact me when needed. 

Often, I can diagnose and treat your need without a visit to the ER. In fact, membership medicine has been shown to result in many fewer ER and urgent care visits because we can discuss your medical needs when you need to. If appropriate, rest assured we can see you the same or next day!

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

You can speak with me wherever you are, and I will help with any medical conditions that can be handled by “virtual visit.” If you have a condition that requires in-person evaluation and treatment, I will direct you to appropriate nearby care, and coordinate follow-up when you return home.

What if my doctor is on vacation?

As a member of Clarity Health & Wellness, you are never alone. Even when out of town, I will still be available by phone for your urgent needs. For urgent matters that require an office visit, you may need to seek care at your local urgent care center. You will be notified by email before any vacations.

How Insurance Works in the Practice

Do you bill insurance plans?

For non-Medicare patients, we have chosen not to. Our practice is unencumbered by the constraints and limited reimbursement from insurance plans so that we may better serve and care for our patients. You will receive completely unbiased medical evaluation, recommendations and treatment. For non-Medicare members, there will be no charge for office visits or co-pays.  You only pay a flat monthly membership fee. 

Our model lets us work for our patients, not the insurance company!

Can you see me if I have Medicare?

Absolutely.  Medicare members can use their Medicare benefits and we will bill Medicare for your covered services. The membership fee is for the many services that are beyond those covered by Medicare. 

Do I still need health insurance?

Yes, you do. My medical practice is NOT a health insurance program. It is very important to maintain insurance (and/or Medicare) to cover outside testing and specialists, as well as expensive, unusual and unpredictable events such as surgery, emergency care and hospitalization.  BUT NOT for everyday preventive primary care! By providing you with extraordinary and connected primary care, your plan use can often be reduced. 

The current insurance-based system makes primary care MORE expensive and difficult, and less effective too. Our practice does the opposite

By charging a set fee, I can spend more time with you and focus on your individual health needs to maintain and improve your health. I want you to see me as often as you need to, because my goal is healthy and happy members!

How to Join

How much is the membership fee?

Membership fees can be paid monthly, quarterly or annually. The best part is, there are never any co-pays or deductibles to meet (non-Medicare patients).

We are currently offering a discounted founding member rate. Please contact us for details.

Do you offer gift memberships?

Yes!  Family members or friends may want to provide the gift of membership. It’s a great way to provide support, offer them peace of mind, and ensure personalized attention for the well-being of your loved one.

Can joining Clarity Health & Wellness actually save me money?

We expect many patients will save money at our practice. We can better manage the risks of the majority of your health issues and concerns because of our smaller practice and more connected care model.

Studies show that membership medicine can lead to:

  • Less dependency on medications
  • Fewer specialty referrals
  • Fewer emergency and hospital visits
  • Savings on labs and imaging
  • Less need for expensive test ordering

Note: For those with high deductible insurance plans, many people find they can lower their out-of-pocket cost of their total medical care by combining a high deductible health plan with a membership practice. Doing so makes joining this practice quite beneficial. My type of practice is also a good fit for those who have no insurance.

You won’t have any hidden costs or bills that come to you after-the-fact from the office or insurance company. 

We also have negotiated deep discounts with local labs and radiology providers for our patients who choose to pay cash for these services.

Is there a limit to how many patients can join Clarity Health & Wellness?

Yes. One of the most important aspects of personalized medicine is limiting the practice size to be able to devote more time and energy to each patient. Therefore, once we have reached our ideal practice size, we will establish a waiting list.

What if I decide to leave the practice?

You may cancel your membership any time after the first three months, with thirty day‘s notice.  If you prepaid your membership fee for the year you will be reimbursed for the remaining months.

Can we meet before joining?

Yes, I prefer that we meet each other in-person to be sure our practice is a good fit for you. You may use our Contact page to set up a time to meet for an introductory non-clinical visit.

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?

If you are interested in becoming a member and would like to take advantage of our Founder’s fee pricing, please call 781.265.2572 or contact us.

I am ready to join.