Frequently Asked Questions

There is no sign-up fee. Just sign up for the membership, enroll in the easy monthly or annual payment system, and start accessing great care. It’s that simple.  Transparency in pricing is one of our tenets. See our pricing here. 

Yes! Our Family Physicians are well-equipped to provide primary care to patients of all ages.

We expect to have an open, honest, respectful relationship with you. If you have voiced a complaint that we cannot satisfy together, either party can terminate the membership with 30 days of notice. We do charge a $200 reinstatement fee should you cancel and then decide to re-join at a later date.

Under the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, the patient (you) receives comprehensive primary health care directly from their DPC physician. The patient pays for this care through a monthly,  or annual fee, paid directly to Preferred Family Medicine.

Because DPC practices do not accept insurance payments, the providers are able to avoid the ever-increasing and costly documentation demands and administrative intrusions that come with accepting insurance payments.  DPC practices also avoid the onerous responsibilities of collecting patient data that many plans impose. These require staff, time, and money, often amounting to substantial intrusions on patient privacy.

Because DPC physicians avoid these obligations to insurance companies, they are free to spend that time listening to and treating patients. And because DPC physicians eliminate the significant overhead costs of participating in insurance, they can pass the savings on to you, the patient – and give compassionate, attentive and timely care at an affordable cost. At Preferred Family Medicine, you are not a “covered life” but a person.

Please find a complete list of our prices here.

We treat a wide range of acute and chronic health problems. Check out the American Academy of Family Physicians for information about what board-certified Family Medicine physicians do. 

No. Patient privacy is a natural benefit of this medical model. We will never provide any third party with a copy of your records, unless you specifically ask us to do so or if Preferred Family Medicine is subject to a subpoena or search warrant.

In the age of telemedicine, many conditions can be diagnosed and treated via a simple conversation by phone or webcam. If appropriate, we will locate the nearest pharmacy and order medication most suited for your circumstance. Many Healthcare systems charge more for telemedicine with a doctor who doesn’t know you – at Preferred Family Medicine, you get telemedicine with your doctor at no additional cost.

Absolutely! It’s how we do custom healthcare. After normal office hours our members can call their physician’s cell phone number which is provided to practice members.

Charges can be added and applied to your preferred method of payment at the time those services are rendered.

We unequivocally recommend that you carry insurance or health sharing coverage. Preferred Family Medicine does not replace insurance, and ideally we encourage our patients to carry a health sharing plan or a high deductible/major medical plan with a health savings account. This ensures financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary, but offers the potential for huge overall savings when combined with our discounted prices. You should consult with your insurance provider to help you find a plan that works best with our medical model and that will meet your specific needs.

Still need help? We may be able to direct you to an insurance agent who is well versed in the Direct Primary Care model and can assist you in finding a compatible insurance product.

Absolutely. However, just like with traditional insurance companies, we work for you. Thus, your monthly membership fee cannot be submitted to Medicare for reimbursement. You may need to sign a waiver that declares that neither you nor Preferred Family Medicine will directly bill Medicare for your membership fee with our practice. You can still use Medicare for specialists, labs, medications and services outside of our practice.

Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance will still cover medical costs that you incur outside of Preferred Family Medicine. For example, prescriptions that you fill at an outside pharmacy, labs run at an outside lab, hospital charges, physical therapy, x-rays and scans, just to name a few, should be covered at their usual rate. You do not lose your Medicare coverage for other medical needs just because you are a patient of Preferred Family Medicine.

Many times, patients purchase expensive “Cadillac” plans that require little to no copay and cover all lab costs and prescription costs. However, with Preferred Family Medicine, your membership covers all office visits at our practice, in-office tests, and many procedures without copays or hidden charges. Combined with our discounted labs, imaging, and generic medications, our patients may find it worthwhile to change from a high-priced “Cadillac” health insurance plan to a low-cost basic health insurance plan to potentially save thousands.

One might also consider combining a health share (e.g., Medishare, Christian Healthcare Ministries) or health cost share plan (e.g., Sedera, Zion) with a direct primary care membership. 

Direct Primary Care fees may be reimbursable. This is a smart method of paying for your healthcare needs with pre-tax dollars.

Direct Primary Care may qualify as reimbursable through your Health Savings Account (HSA) and may also qualify under the Affordable Care Act.  Section 10104 of P.L. 111-148 (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) states: “The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall permit a qualified health plan to provide coverage through a qualified direct primary care medical home plan that meets criteria established by the Secretary, so long as the qualified health plan meets all requirements that are otherwise applicable and the services covered by the medical home plan are coordinated with the entity offering the qualified health plan.”

HSA and FSAs may not be used for annual memberships as the IRS prohibits “prepayment” of medical services. Ask your insurance or tax preparation specialist for more details.

NOTE: Active legislation is currently underway regarding HSAs and DPC membership-based practices, so this information is subject to change.  

Unfortunately, HMO's often prohibit orders and referrals from providers outside of their network. HMO's tend to prioritize saving money over patient choice by limiting one's care to a narrow network of providers. We believe this is unfortunate as it restricts one's options. While it is ultimately up to the individual to risk taking on financial responsibility for services that may not be covered by out-of-network providers (and our providers are considered "out-of-network), we tend to discourage patients with HMO insurance from becoming members.

No. Preferred Family Medicine is a direct pay (self-pay) practice and does not contract with Medicaid, HMO plans, or Medicare Advantage plans. We do not bill insurance for any services.

What limitations should I be aware of?

Patients with Medicaid, HMOs, or Medicare Advantage may experience:

• Pharmacies declining to fill prescriptions ordered by out-of-network providers

• Labs or imaging centers refusing orders or charging full cash prices

• Specialists declining referrals unless they come from an in-network PCP

• Out-of-pocket costs for services that would normally be covered

These limitations are set by insurance plans—not by Preferred Family Medicine.

I have Nevada Medicaid. Is there anything else I should know?

Yes. Nevada Medicaid requires beneficiaries to receive primary care from Medicaid-enrolled providers.

Choosing to receive primary care outside the Medicaid network—such as at a direct pay concierge practice—may place your Medicaid eligibility or benefits at risk with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DWSS).

We strongly encourage you to verify this with the State before making any changes.

Why do these restrictions exist?

Many insurance programs (especially Medicaid, HMOs, and Medicare Advantage) operate “closed networks.” This means they cover services only when ordered or referred by contracted, in-network providers.

Because our physicians are not part of those networks, outside facilities may not process orders from our practice.

Will I still be able to use my insurance at labs, imaging centers, or specialists?

Possibly—but you should be prepared that many facilities may not accept orders written by our physicians. When this occurs, those services may require full out-of-pocket payment.

If I join, can I keep my existing Medicaid/HMO/Medicare Advantage coverage for other care?

Yes. You may keep your insurance coverage, but you should plan to use in-network providers for any services you want your plan to cover.

Our practice would function as an optional, add-on self-pay membership for enhanced access and concierge-level care.

Is Preferred Family Medicine the right fit for me if I have Medicaid, an HMO, or Medicare Advantage plan?

If you rely on your insurance to cover labs, imaging, prescriptions, and specialist visits, then a direct pay practice may not be the best match.

If you are primarily looking for:

• More time with your doctor

• Enhanced access

• Convenience

• Personalized concierge-level care
  —then our practice may still be a great option, as long as you are comfortable with paying out-of-pocket for services not accepted by your insurance plan.

Can I speak with someone before deciding?

Absolutely. Our team is happy to answer questions and help you determine whether a direct pay membership is appropriate for your situation.

Yes, and this is an important part of how direct primary care works.

Your membership is not based on how often you come into the office. Instead, it provides you with ongoing access to your physician and continuous medical oversight.

Even in months when you don’t need a visit, your physician is still:

• Available for questions, guidance, and communication
• Managing prescriptions and reviewing results as needed
• Maintaining your medical record and care plan
• Taking responsibility as your primary care provider

This model allows us to focus on proactive, relationship-based care rather than charging per visit. It also ensures that when you do need care, you have direct access without additional fees or barriers.

Think of it less like paying for individual visits and more like having a dedicated physician available to you whenever you need them.