Question 1

What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

Accepted Answer

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based healthcare model designed to make healthcare more accessible, personal, and convenient. Instead of billing insurance for primary care services, patients pay a  monthly membership fee that provides direct access to their healthcare provider.
This model allows for longer appointments, easier communication, and a stronger patient-provider relationship. 
Without the restrictions and administrative burdens of traditional insurance-based practices, providers can spend more time focused on your health and less time on paperwork.
Unlike traditional healthcare, DPC removes the middleman from primary care, creating a more transparent and patient-centered experience. While DPC is not health insurance, it can work alongside your existing insurance plan and may help reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Question 2

How is Direct Primary Care (DPC) different from traditional primary care?

Accepted Answer

Traditional primary care practices bill insurance for each visit, which often results in shorter appointment times, limited access to your provider, and long wait times for appointments.
Blue Ribbon Health operates on a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, where patients pay a monthly membership fee instead of paying for each office visit. 
Unlike many traditional practices, we intentionally limit the number of patients we care for. Instead of managing a panel of thousands of patients, we maintain a smaller membership base so we can provide more time, attention, and personalized care to every member.
As a member, you'll enjoy longer appointments, same-week or next-day availability, direct communication with your provider, and care from a provider who truly knows your health history, concerns, and goals.
Our mission is simple: to provide accessible, relationship-based healthcare without the barriers and frustrations of the traditional healthcare system 
What happens if I need a specialist, imaging, urgent care, emergency room visit, or hospitalization?

Question 3

What does the Blue Ribbon Health membership include?

Accepted Answer

Your Blue Ribbon Health membership provides convenient, personalized primary care without the barriers of traditional healthcare.
Members receive:

Unlimited primary care visits
Same-week appointments 
Direct communication with their provider through secure messaging and phone communication
Longer appointment times focused on your health goals
Preventive care and chronic disease management
Transparent pricing with no surprise bills
 
Need an appointment? We're here. Have a question? Reach out directly. Our goal is to make accessing healthcare simple, convenient, and personal.
If a service, medication, lab, or procedure requires an additional fee, you will always be informed of the cost in advance so you can make an informed decision about your care. We offer in house lab pricing at exclusive wholesale costs 80-90% off traditional insurance costs

Question 4

How much is the membership?

Accepted Answer

As one of our Founding Members, enjoy your membership for just $150/month for your first year.
Blue Ribbon Health has a limited number of Founding Memberships. Reserve your membership now.

Question 5

Is Blue Ribbon Health membership health insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. Blue Ribbon Health is a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice and is not health insurance. A DPC membership covers the primary care services included in your membership but does not replace health insurance.
Many members continue to maintain health insurance to help cover unexpected medical expenses such as hospitalizations, emergency care, surgeries, specialist visits, and other high-cost healthcare services.
Your insurance may still be used for services outside of Blue Ribbon Health, including laboratory testing, imaging, specialist care, and prescription medications, depending on your plan. We can also help patients explore discounted cash-pay options when available, which may sometimes be more affordable than using insurance after considering deductibles, copays, and other out-of-pocket costs.
Our goal is to help you access high-quality care while making informed and cost-effective healthcare decisions.

Question 6

Can my FSA/HSA dollars be used toward the monthly membership fee?

Accepted Answer

Direct Primary Care membership fees are not eligible for HSA reimbursement, though FSA eligibility may depend on your specific plan.

For services outside of your membership, such as laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or specialist care, we can provide an invoice upon request. Patients should consult their HSA/FSA administrator or tax professional to determine whether these expenses qualify for reimbursement under their specific plan.

Question 7

Does Blue Ribbon Health accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. Blue Ribbon Health is a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice and does not bill insurance for primary care services. Instead, members pay a simple monthly fee that covers unlimited direct access to their provider.
By removing insurance from primary care, we can focus on delivering more personalized care, longer appointments, and better patient experience without the administrative barriers of traditional healthcare.
While we do not bill insurance, patients may still use their insurance benefits for services provided outside of Blue Ribbon Health, such as specialist visits, laboratory testing, imaging, hospital services, and prescription medications, depending on their individual coverage.

Question 8

What happens if I need to be referred to a specialist, need advanced imaging, emergency room, urgent care not obtained through Blue Ribbon Health or hospitalization?

Accepted Answer

Blue Ribbon Health serves as your primary care and advocate throughout your healthcare journey. If you need specialist care, advanced imaging, urgent care, emergency care, or hospitalization, we will help coordinate the next steps and guide you through the process.
When appropriate, we can place referrals, order imaging studies, and help you navigate your options. Depending on your situation, this may involve using your insurance benefits or accessing discounted cash-pay rates through our network of healthcare partners.
We also offer in-house laboratory testing at transparent, wholesale pricing. For advanced imaging services such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds, we can help patients compare insurance-based options and discounted cash-pay pricing to determine the most cost-effective solution.
Our goal is to help you access high-quality care at a fair price while ensuring seamless coordination between specialists, hospitals, and your primary care team.

Question 9

My insurance covers my annual labs for free. Won't DPC make healthcare more expensive?

Accepted Answer

Many Blue Ribbon Health members choose to carry a high deductible health plan for catastrophic coverage such as hospitalizations, specialist care, imaging, and preventive screenings covered by their plan.
For services outside of your membership, we help patients find the most cost-effective option available. Depending on your situation, that may mean using your insurance benefits or taking advantage of our discounted cash-pay pricing.
 In many cases, our cash pay rates are lower than patients expect and may even be less expensive than using insurance. Our goal is to help you make informed healthcare decisions while keeping costs predictable, transparent, and affordable.

Question 10

What’s not covered with Blue Ribbon Health membership?

Accepted Answer

The cost of anything that happens outside of Blue Ribbon Health is not covered. This includes but is not limited to, hospital and emergency care, visits with other doctors and specialists, radiology, labs, and pathology, medications (prescribed or over the counter) or supplements, or services not provided by Blue Ribbon Health.  You can submit these fees to your health insurance carrier for full or partial payment, as covered by your health plan.

Question 11

What should I do in an emergency?

Accepted Answer

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. Blue Ribbon Health is not a substitute for emergency medical services.

Question 12

I'm interested! How do I become a member?

Accepted Answer

Getting started is easy! Simply complete our Founding Member Reservation Form, and a member of the Blue Ribbon Health team will contact you to answer any questions and guide you through the enrollment process. If you'd rather speak with someone first or have questions, feel free to give us a call—we're happy to help! 
After we receive your reservation form, we'll reach out to schedule your complimentary meet-and-greet with your provider. During this visit, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the practice, ask questions, and complete a clinical evaluation to ensure Blue Ribbon Health is the right fit for your healthcare needs.
You will not be charged until after you've completed your meet-and-greet, your enrollment has been finalized, and you've decided to move forward with membership.
Because we intentionally limit the number of members we accept, Founding Member spots are limited and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

425-671-2646

Care@BlueRHealth.com