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Patient first direct primary care
A Veteran-Owned Company
1-541-393-9848
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I be seen?
One of the benefits of Patient First membership is that we can see you as often as needed. You may only need to be seen a couple times a year for medication refills and a physical, or you may experience an illness that requires frequent and close observation until you are back on your feet. Both scenarios are covered by the same monthly fee.
Is direct primary care the same thing as insurance?
No. We are not insurance, and we recommend keeping your insurance plan if possible to help offset the costs of unexpected ER visits, hospitalizations, imaging studies, surgeries, screening procedures performed in a hospital (mammograms/colonoscopies), or to help cover the cost of being seen by a specialist. Anything performed outside of our clinic is not covered by your membership fee and will be billed to you by the entity that performed the service.
I don't have insurance. What if I need labs, prescriptions or x-rays?
We keep prescription prices down by prescribing generic medication whenever possible. Some pharmacy chains offer 90 day supplies of several generic medications for only $10. We are also working to partner with local labs and diagnostic imaging centers to get transparent, cash pricing for frequently ordered studies so you will know the cost up front.
Is a nurse practitioner the same thing as a doctor?
No. A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a healthcare provider who began their career as a Registered Nurse (RN) and has gone back to continue their education, earning a Masters or Doctoral degree. All NPs have advanced clinical training beyond their initial RN specialty training. They then have to pass a rigorous certification exam to become board certified in their area of specialty (such as Family Medicine) to earn their designation as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). Nurse practitioners are trained, licensed, and certified to provide services nearly identical to those of our physician colleagues.
Does your clinic offer vaccines?
Not at this time due to their cost, specific storage needs, and regulatory requirements. Patients needing vaccines can get them at the health department, or their local pharmacy.
Do you perform any procedures?
Yes. We perform many minor surgical procedures and basic in-clinic lab testing at no additional cost to you. See the "Services Offered" list on the home page of this website for more information.
Do you prescribe narcotics for chronic pain?
We do not prescribe narcotics for the treatment of chronic pain or daily benzodiazepines for chronic anxiety disorders. These may be prescribed in limited quantities for acute needs on a case-by-case basis. If you do happen to suffer from chronic pain, we can work with you to find a safer alternative than narcotics or we are happy to refer you to a pain specialist.
Can I have a face-to-face visit after normal business hours (weekends and holidays)?
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We work very hard to make ourselves available to see you during our normal business hours. In special circumstances, we can be available to see you in the clinic or in your home outside our normal business hours for an additional fee.
Are you really available to your patients 24/7?
The short answer is "yes". While we certainly enjoy our time away from work, our patients' medical needs don't always arise during our normal business hours. If you have an urgent need after hours, that cannot wait until our regular business hours, we are available to help you navigate your concerns.
If you are having a life or limb-threatening emergency at any time, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
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