Direct Primary Care FAQs

Answers to Direct Primary Care Health FAQs. Learn all about our staff, clinic, and watch helpful videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Southern Comfort Health Direct Primary Care different than traditional medical clinics?

Southern Comfort Health uses a rapidly growing model of care known as Direct Primary Care (DPC). In this model, doctors are paid directly by their patients, rather than being reimbursed months later from governmental payers or insurance companies. Basically, we’re cutting out the middleman, along with the hassles that interfere with healthcare. DPC is reminiscent of the historic doctor-patient relationship, when doctors didn’t have thousands of patients, had plenty of time to spend with you, and you didn’t have to wait weeks for your appointment. Cutting out all the middlemen and red tape increases the doctor and the patient’s satisfaction, and dramatically cuts costs. Healthcare doesn’t have to be an expensive inconvenience anymore and membership comes with many other perks*.

See full explanation about the DPC model and benefits in About Us.

Will I benefit from a DPC Membership if I don’t require frequent medical attention?

Of course!  Everyone benefits from a service tailored directly to them. Our practice is devoted to the maintenance of your good health, and to the enhancement of your daily experience that only physical and mental well-being can bring.  Every visit, for whatever reason, will be easy-going in its absolute thoroughness, relaxed in answering your questions and addressing the need of the moment. Then, as the months and years go by, we’ll build a comprehensive, intimate knowledge of your health and life, invaluable understanding for long-term care as we age.  Also, an annual membership may be equal in cost to one Urgent Care/ER visit that could have been prevented with an available DPC physician. Even healthy people can actually save money by choosing the DPC model by then being able to select a slimmer Insurance policy that focuses on the unexpected events, or “wrap around” coverage.  

Do I still need Insurance?

We forgo processing insurance plans in order to save our patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions middlemen dictate which hinder good medical care and raise prices.  You can still use your insurance for laboratory tests, imaging, and medications, although you may find that cash rates may be cheaper (we can educate you about your HTECH rights.)        

We still recommend you have coverage for the unexpected events (the actual definition of “Insurance”) which can be tailored to compliment what the DPC clinic already provides; for example, a commercial plan with a lower premium/ higher deductible. Health Sharing Ministries (ie. MediShare, Sedera, Liberty HealthShare) are increasingly popular due to affordability and some will even share the DPC membership fee because of the added value and benefits of this healthcare model leading to better long-term care.  

Does this clinic take insurance?

First of all,  it’s great you have insurance, because if you end up in the hospital you need a plan for those unexpected costs.  But let me explain why,  for Direct Primary Care clinics like ours, we accept all patients, it doesn’t matter what type of insurance plan you have.

Primary Care Doctors should be able to handle 80% of your medical needs; if they had the time and resources to really work with their patient.  Unfortunately, now doctors feel like they work for Insurance companies, and that’s a big problem causing basic healthcare to become impersonal, inconvenient, and expensive.

So we built a clinic based on a more common sense approach, without the “red tape” from Insurance companies – we work directly with patients and are paid as a monthly membership instead, similar to a gym membership. We can offer more flexibility and additional services; more like old-school doctoring.And because Direct Primary Care is such a new concept for our area, we do offer tours/open house so you can see if for yourself, we have a nice website too that explains what membership includes.

But, that’s the long answer for ‘No, we happily don’t accept Insurance,’ but you can still be our patient.

But I already pay a lot for my insurance?

We’d rather not deal with copays, deductibles, prior authorizations, being told how to practice; but rather treat everyone equally but with better quality. This allows patients to reach the doctor by email and text directly when urgent and be scheduled quickly.

Most patients feel like it’s time to prioritize their healthcare budget when they start getting worthwhile care. And a lot of patients find they can change their existing insurance plans to cheaper options since we handle basic healthcare more efficiently and cost effectively than when running through Insurance.

Can I get all of my medications from Southern Comfort Health's pharmacy?

As a member, you have access to our pharmacy where we can offer prescriptions at a fraction of retail prices and compare our cost savings to what GoodRx can offer; noting most of the medication inventory is generic. Name-brand prescriptions are generally expensive, and therefore you’ll normally get a better price on name brand drugs using an insurance prescription drug benefit or a prescription drug discount card at your local pharmacy. We also do not dispense any DEA-controlled medications such as narcotic pain medicine, sedatives, or stimulants.

Will Dr. McCain still take care of me if I need to be admitted to the hospital?

Dr. McCain currently does have courtesy privileges at Lawnwood Regional Medical Center in Fort Pierce.  Since your personal DPC physician will know you more intimately, your care can be discussed with the Hospitalist or other specialists and allow for a smoother transition upon discharge.  You cannot be reimbursed from your membership for any need to use Urgent/ER care. If you are too sick to travel into the office for care, we can arrange for a home visit. Obviously if we are driving, we can’t be caring for people, so we’ll be limiting housecalls to those absolutely necessary. For housecalls out of town, we will charge mileage, otherwise, there is no additional charge for housecalls.

Are there medications Dr. McCain does not prescribe?

Dr. McCain is not accepting new patients for pharmaceutical treatment of Chronic Pain. New Opioid Prescribing Guidelines mandated in Florida as of July 2018 changed the legal parameters in effort to combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic, and those patients who use narcotics for chronic pain are encouraged to seek a pain treatment center. Dr. McCain does not prescribe controlled sedatives for the treatment of chronic anxiety, as there are safer options. Dr. McCain does have specialty knowledge and comfort in discussing and recommending Medical Cannabis.

What if I want to cancel my membership?

If you are not completely satisfied with our care you may cancel with no penalty. We require 30 days written notice.  A re-enrollment fee will be applied if you miss our personalized care and want to return as a patient, but will be placed at the end of our wait list  

For even more information, visit DPC Nation.

And if you still have questions, setup an appointment for a “meet and greet.”

Patient Testimonials

“The dr was professional and showed concern and care for his needs and limitations.”

James Packard

Patient

“I had the best experience and everyone was so helpful and so kind to to and I loved Dr. Jessica McCainI never met a doctor who was beyond a doubt so caring and so knowledgeable I would definitely recommend this Clinic to anybody that needed it.”

Lori Mellons

Patient

Personal Health Care is Our Mission

Have a Question? Please Contact Us.

305 S 7th Street Fort Pierce, FL 34950

772-252-0140

Non-member landline, does not accept text messages

772-577-7527

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