Frequently asked Questions - Direct Primary Care
what is direct primary care?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an innovated healthcare model rooted in the traditional doctor-patient relationship. DPC focuses on providing high-quality, low-cost care with easy access to your provider. This is accomplished by elimating the third party, insurance, that is often in the exam room. By removing the insurance industry from the exam room we are able to offer you the healthcare you need and often save you money in the process. Click the link below for more details.
Do i still need health insurance?
While the DPC model does cover the vast majority of your healthcare needs it is not insurance. We recommend all of our members at least have a plan that covers major health events such as a heart attack, severe injuries from an automobile accident, or any other catastrophic medical issue. If traditional health insurance is too costly for you and your family there are other options such as health sharing plans. These plans pair perfectly with our DPC model. We have partnered with Sedera Health to help our members find affordable options for life’s unexpected turns. As a member of Dameron Family Health and Wellness you will get a discount through Sedera Health.
Are there any contracts to sign?
There are no contracts to sign ever. You can cancel your membership at any time with a written 30-day notice of cancellation. However, if a membership is cancelled there is a $250 re-enrollment fee to rejoin.
Can i still bill my insurance?
You cannot bill your insurance for services that are covered through your DPC membership. However, you can still use your insurance for labs, imaging studies, medications, and specialist referrals.
Can i use my hsa funds to pay for my membership fees?
This is complicated. Currently there are no specific laws that say you can or cannot use your FSA or HSA funds to pay for a membership. We recommend discussing this with your tax expert.
I have a HMO plan. Can I still be a member?
Yes. However, in a HMO plan you must receive referrals from a physician within their insurance network. We are not in their network and this can sometimes cause a problem with the referral services being covered. We recommend a PPO plan when possible.
Why do medicare patients have to wait to receive care?
Unfortunately, the government requires physicians to “opt-out” of Medicare. This requires some typical government paperwork and about a 3 month waiting period. Dr. Dameron will be able to submit this paperwork on July 1, 2021 and then start caring for Medicare patients a few months after that. You can still pre-register and reserve your membership without any additional fees.
What if I need to see a specialist?
Occasionally referrals to specialist are warranted. Your current health insurance plan can still be used for these referrals. We will work closely with that specialist to ensure that you receive the best possible care and a clear and understandable plan of care is in place.
How accessible is the doctor?
Dr. Dameron is very accessible for members. Calling or texting after hours for medical urgencies or emergencies is highly encouraged. We want to be there for you. Certain health issues may not be able to be handled after hours and may require emergent care. However, we will make every effort to take care of your urgent health needs when able.
what medications are available at the in-house pharmacy?
Our pharmacy will start out with just as needed medications. It will grow as we grow to meet our patients’ needs. Our goal is to stock the most commonly prescribed medications for the common ailments. We do not keep controlled substances, like narcotics or ADHD medications, in our pharmacy.
What about chronic pain or medical marijuana certificates?
Dr. Dameron does not prescribe narcotic pain medication for chronic pain. Dr. Dameron is not registered to offer medical marijuana certificates.
Frequent asked questions - medical weight loss
what is a board certified obesity medicine physician?
A board certified obesity medicine physician has additional training in the field of obesity, much like a cardiologist has received additional training on the function of the heart. Often physicians not trained in obesity medicine do not know how to manage this chronic disease and given unhelpful or even offensive advise to patients struggling with obesity. As a chronic disease, obesity much be treated with a multifactorial approach including nutrition, physical activity, behavior modification, and medication.
do you accept insurance for medical weight loss consultations?
We do not accept insurance for obesity medicine consultations. Most insurance carriers to not cover obesity medicine consultations.
Will I be prescribed medicine?
Anti-obesity medications are a valuable tool in the treatment of obesity. However, to maximize their benefit the three other pillars of treatment must be addressed first (nutrition, physical activity, behavior modification). For this reason, medications are not prescribed at the first visit.
What can i expect at my first visit?
At your first visit there will be a thorough review of your medical history including how family and social history. Your vitals will be taken and a physical exam will be performed. An Inbody body composition analysis will be performed and reviewed. There may be some lab work or an ekg that needs to be done depending on your history and any previous lab work. The more complete your pre-visit paperwork is the more effecient this visit will be. At the end of the visit you will have a treatment plan in place.
How does suffering from obesity affect my health?
Obesity is a disease in itself and unfortunately can lead to many poor health outcomes. Many people suffering from obesity also suffer from depression, anxiety, decrease sex drive, and other psycho-social issues. Suffering from obesity increases your risk for breast, endometrial, esophageal, colon, and pancreatic cancer. There are also physical factors that are increased, such as, osteoarthritis, low back pain, and impaired balance. From a metabolic standpoint there is a rise in diabetes, gout, PCOS, infertility. We also see increases in heart attacks, strokes, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. This is just a short list of the many health consequences caused by this disease.
Is obesity a common disease?
In Virginia, 30% of the population suffers from obesity. Forty one percent of the African American population has obesity in the state. These numbers are rising every year. This has resulted in a predicted life expectancy for our children to be lower than their parents for the first time in the history of our country.
What kind of results should i expect?
Every person is different and will have different outcomes based on their desired goals. We strive to not only make all our patients healthier, but help them achieve what they want to live for. Success for us isn’t a number. It’s hearing how a father can now get up and down off the floor to play with his child. It’s helping someone get rid of medication. It’s listening to someone talk about how they now feel confident in their own skin. Most of these goals are achievable with just a 5-10% weight loss.
waiting list
We are not currently registering new patients for membership plans at this time. However, we have an active waiting list that we hope to begin to pull new patients off of in about 6-12 months. Our services with Breathing Well Club, Emsculpt Neo, Emsella and Botox are available to the public.
Call or text 804-395-6593 your full name, date of birth, and phone number to be added today!