Please go through the FAQs to understand our model of care. If you still have unanswered question, contact us here with your specific questions or concerns.
Ready to learn more?
Cal us: 281-826-1359 today if you have more questions!
Welcome to Meridian Springs Primary Care
Opening Hours : Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm
Contact : (281) 826 1359 [email protected]
FAQs
How is Meridian Springs Primary Care different from other Primary Care practices?
Meridian Springs Primary Care uses a different model of care than other third party insurance based medical practices. Why do we do that? We asked ourselves a simple question – What do patients really want?
Patients really want more time with their doctor, they want to speak to a human and not to voicemail prompts, and they want appointments when they need them and not 3 weeks from when they want. Patients also want to know charges before agreeing to services. They want to have bills that are simple, and medications chosen by their doctor and not by insurance companies. Most of all, patients want someone who listens.
Old-fashioned medicine in which the doctor sits and listens, stops by the house to check on you, and offers expertise in your personal health decisions is alive and well at Meridian Springs Primary Care! Let the healthcare policy debates continue because patients and physicians are already leading the reform through direct primary care.
Membership in Meridian Springs Primary Care means that time constraints, insurance companies, and government metrics will not dictate your medical care. It also means that whether by phone call, email, text, or house calls, the physician is always in. The oath Dr. Rao took when she became a physician still remains: the health of patients will be the first consideration always.
How does subscription fees work
Are there any hidden fees?
No. Meridian Springs Primary Care is committed to transparent prices. If a charge for non-covered services is anticipated, the fee is identified clearly and discussed prior to the service. If outside services are recommended, every effort is made to find upfront, reasonable pricing.
What about lab work and other testing?
Lab tests will be ordered and drawn at nearby labs (Quest, Lab corp, and others), wholesale prices are negotiated (price list is provided), and prices clearly specified prior to being charged. Negotiated prices are way less than those charged by the labs with insurance in most cases (surprise surprise!!!). Patients are free to submit lab fees to the insurance company, but again, think of this as you do your auto insurance. You likely wouldn’t submit a claim for a tiny scratch. Why submit a $50 lab fee to the insurance company if it will be $5 out-of-pocket? Yes, that’s how less lab prices (negotiated) are!!
How much does _____ cost?
Please contact Meridian Springs Primary Care with specific requests. We are committed to transparent costs in medical care.
How do I pay?
All major credit cards, direct bank transfers (ACH), and cash are acceptable for the membership fee and for any non-covered service (again, prices are identified and discussed first). Membership fees are charged to your credit card on the 1st of each month or date of joining, and payment for non-covered services is due at time of service.
When do I pay for medications, labs, etc.?
Any fees for non-covered services are expected in full at time of service.
How much will my first visit cost?
Meridian Springs Primary Care does not charge “per visit.” New members pay a one-time, non-refundable enrollment fee (waived through December 2017) and one month of membership. If any non-covered services are required (labs, medications, etc.), then the fees need to be paid at the lab or your pharmacy.
How much does an annual physical/wellness visit cost?
All wellness visits are provided as part of membership.
Membership questions
Why a monthly fee?
In an insurance based system, your doctor is reimbursed by the insurance company only when she sees you, so she needs to see as many patients as possible (often 3000 patients) and as frequently as possible. Direct primary care is different. A monthly fee allows the doctor to offer things such as appointment times of 30-60 minutes duration, a personal cell phone number, virtual appointments, low cost office procedures, and to keep the number of patients being served much smaller (often less than 700 patients).
Why would I pay for insurance and a monthly fee?
It is hard to see how people can afford NOT to be a direct primary care member! Insurance may very well enable a low copay or no copay, but what about the co-insurance for the x-ray or the procedure? That new prescription from your specialist? The bill for labs that weren’t completely covered? In the traditional insurance model, it takes just one trip to the ER, one MRI, one procedure/surgery, or one non-formulary prescription to produce a bill much greater than what would have been spent for a year’s membership in direct primary care. A monthly fee is the answer, and possibly our nation’s answer, to once again reserving insurance for the big stuff and making healthcare affordable (Think of it like this: don’t use your homeowner’s insurance for lightbulbs and lawncare. Use it to pay for a housefire). This will strengthen the ability of insurance companies to cover serious, pre-existing conditions.
You already pay both for insurance and a monthly “fee” but at an extraordinarily unaffordable level.
A monthly premium is already either paid or deducted from a salary. Whenever there is a prescription, a lab overage, or especially if there is an urgent/emergency visit, a fee is being paid twice. It is the additional fees that can destroy a family budget. Cut your hand and need stitches? The bill in an insurance based plan will likely be $1800 (this is equivalent to $150/month if monthly billing is even an option). What would this same scenario look like as a Meridian Springs Primary Care patient? Text Dr. Rao a photo of your hand. Arrange to meet at the office to get that hand stitched. All covered by your monthly fees. This model is concierge level care for everyone.
Could I have an appointment without becoming a member?
No. The benefits of direct primary care depend upon an agreement between the patient and doctor.
Please ask about scheduling a “meet and greet.” You can sign up here.
What if I rarely go to the doctor? I hardly ever get sick.
Fabulous! But most people invest in the maintenance of their cars before a breakdown (oil changes, tune-ups, tire rotation). Please do at least as much for your body as you would for your car. If you’re healthy, the focus will be on wellness rather than illness, and that deserves time.
I have a lot of health problems. Do you charge more for that?
No, that’s the beauty of direct primary care. Patients are seen as often as they need to be seen.
Are there any contracts or commitments?
We believe in the value of this model so much that we have no specific commitment period requirement. Membership fees are monthly and must be paid to maintain service with us. If a membership lapses, a re-enrollment fee of $200 is charged if continued membership is desired. A patient agreement/practice policy is signed upon enrollment.
What are the different ways to visit the clinic
Do you take walk-ins? Do I have to have an appointment?
While same or next-day visits are available to our members (even new members), scheduling is required for all visits. A phone call or text to verify availability is usually all that is required.
What if I need to see a specialist?
Just as within insurance-based care, a patient can still be referred to any specialist. This generally works well with PPO plans. For HMO plans, We are usually “out of network” providers, so an insurance-based primary care doctor should be named for those referrals. However, with extended visits as frequently as needed, 85-90% of your health care needs can be managed by the direct primary care physicians. Patients at Meridian Springs Primary Care will also have the privilege of using 3-way e-consults. This e-consult service can typically occur in less than 4 hours and decreases the likelihood of requiring an in-person specialist appointment. Isn’t this better than waiting 4 weeks to see the cardiologist?
Where do you do house calls?
Typically within 5 to 10 miles of the office and only per medical discretion.
What type of visits can I do by phone or webcam?
“Virtual visits” are not a replacement for in-person, quality primary care. Generally, if the medical concern does NOT require a physical exam, a virtual visit will work. Many chronic conditions can be managed, on occasion, by email and virtual visits. However, for any issue requiring a physical exam, a traditional visit will be advised.
What happens when the doctor goes out of town?
In direct primary care, the physician is always available via telemedicine (phone, text, email, etc). Access is to the doctor and not just to an answering service or medical assistant. This is one of the key distinctions from traditional practices. Patients will be given advanced notice of any personal events that may change availability. In the rare event that you need to be seen in person while Dr. Rao is unavailable, she will partner with trusted, area physicians to ensure that her patients continue to receive superior care.
Can we get medical care when we are out of town?
We will continue to provide you medical advise via telemedicine (phone, text, email, etc) even when you are out of town!! That is the great value of this healthcare model
Can I use insurance to pay for the care
Do you take insurance? Can you bill my insurance for my visits?
No. Meridian Spring Primary Care does NOT contract with any private or public insurance plans.
Am I able to join if I have Medicare?
Yes, you can, but Medicare will not pay for your fees. You could use your Medicare benefits like a “catastrophic” insurance plan and reserve it for large expenses, surgeries, and hospitalization. Please contact for details.
Do you accept Medicaid patients?
We would gladly welcome Medicaid patients were it not for a barrier in the referral system. Specialists can only accept referrals from a primary who has a Medicaid number. Unfortunately this puts Medicaid patients in a difficult position.
Can I use my FSA or HSA accounts?
Please contact your accounting or legal professional to discuss this matter as there is considerable variation from employer to employer regarding what qualifies for FSA and HSA spending. At a minimum, ancillary services such as labwork, medications, and imaging can be paid with health savings plan money.
Does Meridian Springs Primary Care satisfy the requirement for “insurance” under the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare?
Our subscription plan is NOT an insurance. Our model of care, Direct primary care, is mentioned briefly in the Affordable Care Act as “participating in insurance exchanges with a wrap-around insurance plan.” The details are still unclear, but we are not waiting for lawmakers to provide quality, affordable healthcare.
Can I use still use my insurance elsewhere?
In almost every situation– yes. Insurance plans continue as usual with emergency rooms, hospitals, laboratories, and pharmacies. PPO plans do not require a designated “gatekeeper” doctor for referrals, medications, and tests. HMO-style plans do require that an in-network, primary doctor be designated for access to some services and to specialists.
What type of insurance would you recommend?
Please speak with an insurance professional. A high-deductible (or catastrophic) insurance plan with a healthcare savings account (HSA) would likely pair well with our model of care.
What if I don’t have insurance?
Uninsured patients are welcome.
Do you work with small businesses?
Yes. Meridian Springs Primary Care would love to talk to your small business or organization about offering affordable, superior healthcare to employees!