FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We have shrugged the bureaucracy. We have shredded red tape. In refusing to recognize any interference with the sanctity of the patient/provider relationship, we have returned family practice medicine to its root values of clinical excellence for and compassionate knowledge of every patient. In every aspect of family health care, and custom health care, we promise accessibility, convenience, and affordability.

Of course. We might argue that everyone benefits from a service tailored directly to them. That’s why we offer custom healthcare. Our practice is devoted to the maintenance of your good health, to the enhancements of your daily experience that only physical well-being can bring.

In wellness and therapeutic care alike, The Pacific Northwest Wellness Center’s great ally is time. Precious, irretrievable time is shared with you as you need it. Every visit, for whatever reason, will be easy going in its absolute thoroughness answering your questions and addressing the need of the moment. Then, as the months and years go by, we’ll build a comprehensive knowledge of your current health with a plan of achievable goals.

No. Happily, no.

Perhaps the most critical distinction in our model of care centers on a direct, personal relationship between you and your provider. That directness carries over to our business model as well. While the tender mercies of an insurance company might apply to the fixing of a damaged fender on your automobile, we see no reason for any insurer to have a voice about either the quality or the cost of your family’s health care.

We forgo insurance payments in order to save our patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions that inevitably follow with third-party payers. Furthermore, this direct membership arrangement frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent providers from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications.

Yes. We recommend that our patients continue to carry both a major medical plan and a health savings account, thereby ensuring financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. We will be happy to refer you to insurance representatives who can help you customize an insurance plan to your specific needs.

Absolutely. We are very fortunate to work with the industry leaders in health insurance in NCW who are able to build custom healthcare insurance plans. They are able to develop very eloquent plans that remove much of the waste and inefficiency from a typical, bloated policy. We have saved young families nearly $1000/month and many businesses 30-50% while providing a higher level of care. If you are interested in talking to a health insurance expert, you may contact Chandler Insurance Solutions for questions on individual and/or group quotes.

Yes. You need only sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor your provider will directly bill Medicare for our services. Medicare will still cover laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations prescribed by our offices.

Unfortunately, no. Your retainer is not yet defined as a “medical expense” in most states and as such is not deductible. The American Academy of Private Physicians, however, is lobbying hard to win rightful deductibility for these expenses. In the meantime, meet with your tax consultant to clarify tax consequences in your particular circumstance.

In providing superb care with unprecedented access, we seek to prevent or reduce hospitalizations and specialty referrals. In instances where these types of care are required, we will certainly continue to serve you during your hospital stay or to work closely with any specialist. In some cases, depending on the level of care and the expertise required, we may rely on the specialized caregivers to manage your treatment.

Yes. We are happy to accept children (2 to 18 years of age). An adult member can enroll their children. At this time, we are not able to provide routine vaccinations for young children but we will happily work with you to arrange these.

By all means, yes! Because illness and injury do not respect regular office hours, you may call your provider any day, at any hour. We can arrange for home visits, schedules permitting. You may email and text your provider for less urgent issues. We also have a secure patient portal to access your medical records. This is how we provide direct, custom healthcare.

Naturally we provide such care – yet another freedom we enjoy together as a result of The Pacific Northwest Wellness Center’s independence from the restrictions of third-party payment (Insurance Companies). Because we know you well, we can streamline your care when you are sick and away from home. In the age of telemedicine, many illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with a simple conversation by phone or webcam. We will locate the nearest pharmacy and order the medications most appropriate for your present circumstances.

We maintain scrupulous standards of privacy. We are never obligated to provide any third party with a copy of your records, unless you specifically ask that we do so.

Call our office today and set up your appointment to get to know our providers and choose the one that fits your needs.