FAQs

 

Can’t the doctors do all those things with a traditional practice?

Oh boy!  We wish we could do all those things with a traditional medical model, but we can’t!  We have always believed in listening to patients, creating a personalized plan for them, being there when they need us and we know patients appreciate that.  The reality is though that the insurance models require a LOT of cost to run a practice and have reimbursement rules that hinder us from taking the time we’d like to practice a comprehensive approach or using technology the way we’d like. And it’s getting worse and worse.  Instead of joining a BIG hospital system that can absorb the costs (that’s a BIG step AWAY from a personalized connection), we stepped back in time to good old-fashioned healthcare in a modern way.  In addition, because Dr. Paige has a family to prioritize and spends some time teaching medical students to be awesome primary care doctors in the future, this model allows her to be there for her patients even when she enjoying other aspects of her life.

Do I have to be a Signature Primary Care patient to see the doctor?

Yes.  As of October 1, 2017, you must be a member of Signature Primary Care and Wellness to obtain primary care from our doctors.

I'm not sure if I can afford the membership. What should I do?

Prioritizing the membership investment is an important decision.  It’s a HUGE value, but sometimes it’s takes a little thinking outside the box to see that.  For many, simply the reassurance of having a personal connection with a physician who will be there when you need her in a comfortable and convenient way is MORE than worth it.  Beyond that, it doesn’t take much thought to realize that the potential saved urgent care and ER visits with a timely evaluation by your doctor, the peace of mind of having questions answered without spending hours asking Dr. Google, the direct service, the innovative Health app to make improving your health convenient, the time off work saved because some in person visits can be replaced by virtual visits all adds up to much more than the membership.  In addition, for those who qualify for government assistance and are unable to prioritize their membership fees in their budget, we provide a certain number of memberships on scholarship or sliding scale.  Click here to inquire.  Would you like to give back to your local community by donating all or portion of a membership to someone in need?  Click here to donate.     

As a Signature Primary Care patient, do I still use my insurance? 

You may choose to use your insurance for more expensive things outside the office: medication, lab costs, hospital services and we will work with your insurance to coordinate that care and find the most cost-effective plan. All services provided by our doctors are INCLUDED in you membership at no extra charge, so no worries about copays, deductibles or coinsurances.  We still recommend using medical insurance or reputable health share plans for higher cost care.   

What if I don’t have insurance? Can I still be a Signature Primary Care patient?

Absolutely!  The majority of our patients have insurance - many really “good” insurance. Because we are not bound by the red tape of insurance, your membership is the same with or without health insurance.

What do you mean by round the clock availability?

You’ll have your doctor’s direct contact information for urgent issues and questions that need to be taken care of after hours.  She’ll do her best to handle them and NOT send you to Urgent Care or ER. That’s it. For real.

Will I still have to see the doctor in person or can I just call for a prescription?

One of the BEST things about Signature Primary Care is that it allows you to form a treatment plan with your doctor based on what’s medically appropriate (not what the insurance thinks is appropriate).  That means we can decide together if you need an in-person visit, a video chat or phone call, an email or even a home visit in some cases.  Of course, in order to diagnose and manage many conditions, nothing beats being face to face, but you and your doctor will decide that together.

I’m still not sure if Signature Primary Care is right for me. How do I know? You are most likely a Signature Primary Care Patient if:

  • You believe that your relationship with your primary care doctor should be a close one based on mutual trust and respect.

  • You are comforted by the thought that if something arises, your personal doctor will be your available for an opinion, not only based on what’s going on at the time, but also knowing your medical history and life circumstances.

  • You are busy and want your health to fit into to your life in a more convenient way.

  • You are a think outside the box type of personality and are willing to adopt new processes that make sense to you even before large industries recognize their value.

  • You may not be a “techy”, but you are comfortable with the use of technology in other areas of your life and are willing to use newer technologies like email, messaging and video in addition to good old fashioned face to face visits and phone calls.

Signature Primary Care might not be for you if:

  • You are content with seeing many different providers at urgent cares or minute clinics for small illnesses or injuries that come up.

  • You’d prefer to let large industries (like insurance or hospital systems) set the rules and wait on them to change them before you adopt new processes.

  • You trust that what your health insurance covers is the best healthcare you need.

  • You don’t have access to the internet or email and are not willing to explore this in addition to face to face visits.