Questions & Answers
Frequently Asked Question
Getting Familiar with Concierge Physician Associates
At Concierge Physician Associate we want you to understand the details of this type of care. We have included a list below, for your review, of frequently asked questions and answers to help ensure your knowledge of our company. If you have additional questions about Concierge Physician Associates’ patient services, monthly care fees or how to register, or if you simply want to confirm that Concierge Physician Associates is right for you, please call our Concierge Physician Associates Member Services at (281) 500 – 8176 or email Concierge Physician Associates katy@myvipdoc.com.
Part 1: Becoming a Patient of Concierge Physician Associates
Do I need health insurance or need to be in good health to become a patient?
No. Anyone can become a Concierge Physician Associate patient. We do not screen our prospective patients based on insurance status or current health conditions. Also, we do not pre-screen or decline to accept our patients based on the following: age, race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, health condition, mental or physical disability, education, employment status, economic status, citizenship, or national origin.
Can I register my child without being a patient myself?
Yes, of course. As a parent, you may register your child (or children) without being a patient of Concierge Physicians Associates. However, please remember that the monthly care fees for children are slightly higher if the children are registered alone (and not with at least one parent). Please see our Fees page for more details.
Is there a long term contract I have to sign?
No. There is no long-term contract. After becoming a Concierge Physician Associates patient will register and pay for services on a month to month basis, at the beginning of each month.
If I change my mind at anytime can I terminate my patient agreement?
Yes. Concierge Physician Associate allows you to terminate your patient agreement at any time and for any reason. Or for no reason at all. We just simply ask that you submit your cancellation request in writing in order to fully cancel your membership. After receiving confirmation of your membership termination, we will close your billing account, prorate the balance of your monthly care fee and mail it to you or credit your account within ten (10) business days. If you plan to transfer your care to another physician, we can even forward your medical records upon request. Because patient service and satisfaction and quality of care are our highest priorities, please let us know if you are ever unsatisfied with our services. We will try our best to address your concerns.
If I terminate my patient agreement, can I re-register at a later time?
Yes. Concierge Physician Associates understands that you may choose to terminate your service agreement only to find that you want to re-register at a later time. However, to be fair to our patients who maintain a continuous relationship with us, you will be required to pay the Concierge Physician Associates registration fee each time you re-register. Also, because the number of patients at our practice is limited, we cannot guarantee availability if you re-join at a later date.
What happens if I miss a monthly care fee payment?
We ask that you try your best pay your monthly care fees on time, so we may provide our services at affordable prices. A $25 fee will be charged for funds transfer requests that are not honored due to non-sufficient funds.
Will there be a monthly discount if I don’t use all of the Concierge Physician Associates services?
No. We believe the Concierge Physician Associates method will contribute to your long-term health and we want you to make use of all services offered, therefore we do not offer a discount if all services are not used.
Will my monthly care fee increase if I become seriously ill?
No. Concierge Physician Associates will not alter your monthly fee based on changes in your health condition or the number of times you see your health care provider. However, your monthly care fee will change if you move from one fee schedule age bracket to the next. Your actual monthly fee will not change more than once a year and you will be given at least sixty (60) days notice of if any changes occur.
Can a family member be added to my billing account?
Yes. Concierge Physician Associates allows you to add or remove spouses, domestic partners, children, parents of enrolled children and other family members to your account at any time.
Section 2: Working with Your Concierge Physician Associates Provider
Can I get my medical care at Concierge Physician Associates without becoming a member?
No. You must become a registered patient to be seen and cared for by our health care providers. However, if you have an urgent need and you want to register and join the practice, we will make every effort to see you that day (or the next) as long as there is availability for new members.
Do I have to have an appointment to receive care?
Yes. We ask that you schedule an appointment before you come in because we value our patients’ time. Doing so will allow us to provide better service and care for all our patients. However, if you have an urgent need, please let us know, as we will make every effort to accommodate you as quickly as we can.
How do I schedule an appointment?
To schedule an appointment please call the Concierge Physician Associates front desk during office hours. Appointments for preventive care (physicals) are usually scheduled within 30 days of your request. For urgent care, we will schedule you to be seen as quickly as we can—typically same or next day. Please see our Contact page for numbers for your practice location.
If I make an appointment, will I see my own Concierge Physician Associates provider?
We will try our best to schedule your appointments with your Concierge Physician Associates provider. However, if you need to be seen right away and your regular provider is not available, we may have to schedule you with one of our other physicians.
Is the number of patients seen at your office limited?
Yes. We limit the number of patients assigned to each health care provider to provide high quality, unhurried care, if his or her panel of patients is full, you will be placed on a waiting list and assigned a registration number.
Can I change Concierge Physician Associates providers?
Yes. You may change Concierge Physician Associates providers at any time assuming that the provider’s panel you want to change to has availability. Each patient will have his or her individual medical record and may request to have their care provided by a different health care provider if they wish.
Can my Concierge Physician Associates provider be contacted by phone or email?
Yes. You may contact your Concierge Physician Associates provider by phone during office hours. If he/she is not available, you may either leave a message or, if urgent, ask to be transferred to another available physician. Emails should NOT be used for urgent care communications, as email is not always reliable. Email is fine for non-urgent appointment scheduling, non-urgent treatment clarification questions, or prescription refill requests. Also, please be advised that because privacy cannot always be assured with emails, because of the inherent nature of the communications technology.
Do you limit the number of patients you see at your practice?
yes. To provide high quality, unhurried care, we limit the number of patients assigned to each health care provider. If his or her panel of patients is full, you will be assigned a registration number and placed on a waiting list.
Can I change Concierge Physician Associates providers?
Yes. You may switch Concierge Physician Associates providers at any time assuming that the provider’s panel you want to switch to has available capacity.
Do I need to have an appointment to be seen?
Yes. Because we value our patients’ time, we ask that you schedule an appointment before you come in. Doing so will allow us to provide better care and service for all our patients. If you have an urgent need, we will make every effort to accommodate you as quickly as possible.
How do I make an appointment?
Please call the Concierge Physician Associates front desk during office hours to make an appointment. For urgent care, we will schedule you to be seen as quickly as possible—typically same or next day. Appointments for preventive care, such as routine physicals, are usually scheduled within 30 days of your request. Please visit our Contact page to look up the phone number for your practice location.
If I make an appointment, will I see my own Concierge Physician Associates provider?
To the extent possible, we will schedule your appointments with your Concierge Physician Associates provider. If you need to be seen right away and your regular provider is not available, we will schedule you with one of our other physicians.
Can I get my medical care at Concierge Physician Associates without becoming a member?
No. You must be a registered patient to be seen and treat by our health care providers. However, if you have an urgent need and you want to register and join the practice, we will make every effort to see you that day (or the next) so long as there is room for new members.
Can I contact my Concierge Physician Associates provider by phone or email?
Yes. You may phone your Concierge Physician Associates provider during office hours. If he/she is not available, you may either leave a message or, if urgent, ask to be transferred to another available physician. Emails should NOT be used for urgent care communications, as email is not always reliable. Email is fine for routine non-urgent appointment scheduling, prescription refill requests or non-urgent treatment clarification questions. Please be advised that because of the inherent nature of the communications technology, privacy cannot always be assured with emails.
Part 3: Health Insurance Compatibility
Is Concierge Physician Associates health insurance?
No. We provide direct medical care, not third-party medical insurance. We work directly for our patients, as doctors used to do before the advent of health insurance. Your monthly care fee only pays only for the primary and preventive care services described in our Patient Service guide.
If I am in a managed care plan, can I still join Concierge Physician Associates?
Yes. Regardless of what insurance or managed care provider plan you may have, your monthly fee provides you with Concierge Physician Associates primary care. However, you should know that your managed care company or your health maintenance organization (HMO) may refuse to pay for any goods or services that are not ordered by one of their providers. You should check with your insurance or managed care provider plan before becoming a Concierge Physician Associates patient.
Will my monthly care fee cover visits to non – Concierge Physician Associates health care?
No. We are not an insurance company, so your monthly care fees do not include, or cover, any goods or services you receive outside of our offices.
Will my insurance plan be billed for the services offered by Concierge Physician Associates?
No. Concierge Physician Associates does not bill insurance carriers for the services we provide. Your insurance plan may be billed by others for outside services that are ordered by your healthcare provider but are not performed or provided in our offices.
Will my insurance pay for or reimburse me for my Concierge Physician Associates monthly care fee?
No. Concierge Physician Associates monthly care fees are not reimbursable by any health insurance company, nor are they reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) your monthly care fees may be eligible for reimbursement. However, they will not likely count towards any annual deductible. Please check with your plan administrator.
Will my insurance pay for outside goods or service ordered through Concierge Physician Associates?
Most insurers will pay for medical goods and services covered by their plan regardless of the ordering medical provider. However, you should check with your insurance carrier to make sure. If you are a member of an HMO, your plan may refuse to cover any services ordered by a Concierge Physician Associates provider.
Can I apply my Concierge Physician Associates monthly care fees my insurance deductible?
No. Only an insurance carrier can determine which expenses are counter against their plans’ deductibles. The monthly care fees of Concierge Physician Associates are not an expense that can be applied to an insurance plan deductible.
If I am in a managed care plan, can I still join Concierge Physician Associates?
Yes. Regardless of what insurance or managed care provider plan you may have, your monthly fee provides you with Concierge Physician Associates primary care. However, you should know that your managed care company or your health maintenance organization (HMO) may refuse to pay for any goods or services that are not ordered by one of their providers. You should check with your insurance or managed care provider plan before becoming a Concierge Physician Associates patient.
Can I still become a patient if I am covered by Medicare or Medicaid?
Yes. However, we want you to know that our fees are not reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid. Medicare and Medicaid will pay only for services provided by Medicare and Medicaid contracted providers. Because we have opted out of these programs, you cannot ask either organization to reimburse you for your monthly care fee. However, if you need outside services such as laboratory tests, specialty care or imaging services, we will refer you to Medicare or Medicaid contracted providers whenever possible. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan with a Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA), your monthly care fees may be reimbursable from the MSA. They will not count, however, towards your annual Medicare Advantage deductible.
Incase of serious illness or injury, should I also have medical insurance?
Yes. To protect yourself from large, unanticipated costs associated with serious illnesses or accident, we encourage those of you who can afford health insurance to purchase it. For example, high-deductible health insurance plans designed for catastrophic illnesses are a very affordable, complementary solution for Concierge Physician Associates patients who are concerned about the expense of traditional low-deductible health insurance plans. In fact, you will most likely save money by switching to a lower-premium plan and using Concierge Physician Associates for your primary and preventative care. See our Insurance page.
Part 4: Hospital, Emergency Room, Specialty Care and Other Outside Services
What if I need to see a non-primary care specialist?
It is our goal is to accommodate and provide service for as many of your health care needs as we can. However, when your medical needs are beyond the scope of our primary care services, we will refer you to an appropriate specialist and provide as must assistance as possible. We can provide that specialist with your relevant medical record and the information needed to optimize your care. When his or her evaluation is completed, we will assist you with the follow-up and coordination of your specialty care needs. However, you will be responsible for paying for any of these outside services. If you have insurance, we recommend that you check with your insurance carrier to determine what will be covered.
What happens if I have an emergency?
If you have a life threatening medical emergency, you should call 911 immediately. Concierge Physician Associates cannot maintain an emergency room and it is not equipped to care for someone experiencing a life-threatening emergency. For urgent, non-life threatening medical problems, you may call the office to speak with a physician on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need to be seen during office hours, we will get you in as quickly as possible, usually on the same or next day. If your medical provider determines that you need emergency care, we will refer you to the nearest emergency room. Before your arrival, we will call the emergency room to let them know you are coming and give them your medical information. After you have been evaluated, we will confer with the emergency room physician to discuss your care and assist with any follow-ups needed. Please note that your Concierge Physician Associates monthly care fee does not cover ambulance, emergency room or other hospital services. If you have insurance, we recommend that you check with your insurance carrier to determine what will be covered. If you are uninsured, you may want to discuss payment options with the financial services coordinator at the hospital emergency department.
What if I need to be admitted to the hospital?
If you need to be admitted to the hospital, your Concierge Physician Associates provider will refer you to an appropriate hospital and coordinate your admission. When you become a Concierge Physician Associates member, you can designate a preferred hospital or we can help you choose a hospital based on where you live or work and the services you might need. Your Concierge Physician Associates medical team will maintain contact with the attending physician caring for you at the hospital and will provide any necessary records and information to such physician. When you are ready to be discharged, your Concierge Physician Associates medical team will talk with your attending physician to coordinate appropriate follow-up care. Your Concierge Physician Associates monthly care fee does not cover any costs associated with your hospitalization, except the coordinating care services of the Concierge Physician Associates staff. If you are insured, please check your insurance carrier to see if they cover hospitalization costs. If you are uninsured, you may want to discuss payment options with the financial services coordinator at the hospital. Some hospitals can arrange a payment plan for you.
Are any imaging services provided by Concierge Physician Associates?
No. You will be responsible for paying for any of these outside services. We recommend that you check with your insurance carrier to determine what will be covered.
Does Concierge Physician Associates offer maternity care?
No. Concierge Physician Associates does not offer maternity care services. We can refer you to an appropriate maternity care provider if you are pregnant or become pregnant while you are a patient of Concierge Physician Associates. You may continue to get other primary and preventive care services at Concierge Physician Associates while you are pregnant and your Concierge Physician Associates health care provider will coordinate as necessary with your maternity care provider.
Can I continue to see my gynecologist?
Yes. Being a Concierge Physician Associates patient does not prevent you from seeing any other provider of your choice whenever you wish. As with all outside services, you are responsible for such costs. However, you may find that that many of your gynecological needs can be met by your Concierge Physician Associates health care provider, including periodic well-woman exams and care of common gynecological and women’s health conditions.
Will I be notified if you add or discontinue and services?
Yes. There may be changes in the services we provide. We will provide you with at least sixty (60) days notice of any changes to the services included in your monthly fee. Our most current list of services is available on our website and also available at the Concierge Physician associates office.
Will I have access to my medical record?
Yes. As stated in our patient privacy policy, you are entitled to access your medical record and to receive a copy of your record for review at anytime. For more information, please refer to our Patient Privacy page.
Part 5: Miscellaneous Q&A
Are Concierge Physician Associates’ Patients Really Healthier?
At Concierge Physician Associates, we aim to diagnose and treat medical conditions is the early stages before they spiral out of control. Because of our expertise and preventative care, Concierge Physician Associates patients are healthier and have fewer medical complications, which allows people to live longer and healthier lives.
Is Concierge Physician Associates especially good for corporations and business?
Yes. Minimizing sick and hospital days will help to improve your company’s efficiency and reduce instances where the company has to operate without key employees. Also, having a sick staff member could potentially put severe stress on a company. Many businesses have their employees travel often and finding medical help while away can be difficult. If employees get sick while traveling, they can call the Concierge Physician Associates physician and get the help they need immediately.
Can I take my physician with me on vacation?
We offer physician accommodated travel as an additional service. Please contact our office for more information and to make arrangements.
Do you perform house calls?
Yes, Concierge Physician Associates’ physicians perform house calls.
Are there any hidden costs?
Patients most often pay our office extra for house calls, additional lab studies that were not covered in annual physicals, diagnostic studies, visits to specialist travel vaccinations, and prescription medicine.