Frequently Asked Questions
What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model in which you pay a monthly membership fee directly to your physician, rather than having insurance bill you. This allows for longer visits, easier access, and a deeper doctor-patient relationship. There are no copays, no surprise bills, and no rushed appointments. Care is centered on you, not insurance requirements. See more about the benefits of this model of care.
Is DPC the same as insurance?
No. DPC is not insurance. It is a membership for primary care services. You still need health insurance to cover services beyond primary care, such as hospitalizations, emergency care, specialist care, imaging, and procedures.
Many of my patients pair DPC with a high-deductible insurance plan, health share, or catastrophic coverage to protect against significant medical expenses.
Do you accept health insurance?
No. Wild Woman Wellness Medicine does not contract with any insurance companies. At this time, Wild Woman Wellness Medicine does not work with Commercial, Medicaid, or OHP insurance within the DPC model.
This means I do not bill insurance, submit claims, or negotiate care based on what an insurance company will or will not cover. This allows me to practice medicine with integrity, flexibility, and time, without administrative barriers. See more about the benefits of this model of care.
Do you see economically challenged patients?
Building a small, sustainable practice takes time. Once the practice is established, my bills are paid, and my staff is well compensated, I fully intend to offer a limited sliding-scale option so that care is accessible to people with fewer financial resources.
In the meantime, I am deeply committed to offering care and education beyond the clinic walls. As my time and energy allow, I will continue to provide:
Free educational content through YouTube
Low-cost online classes and groups
In-person seminars and community gatherings
Group-based education and support offerings
This is part of my long-term vision to widen access without compromising the practice's sustainability or the quality of care I provide.
Access to health education is a form of care, and I am committed to sharing what I know in ways that reach beyond one-on-one medical visits.
Can I still use my insurance for labs, prescriptions, and referrals?
Yes. Even though I do not bill insurance, I can still:
Order labs that your insurance may cover
Prescribe medications that you fill using insurance or cash-pay discounts
Refer you to specialists who accept your insurance
Coordinate care within your insurance network
Your insurance remains active and covers everything outside the DPC membership.
Can I use HSA funds for the membership?
Starting in 2026, DPC membership fees <$150 are eligible for HSA reimbursement. IRS guidance allows DPC fees to be treated as a medical expense.
FSA funds are not eligible for DPC care. They can be used for any other medical expense, such as any additional services.
Do you accept Medicare patients?
No. I do not accept patients who are enrolled in Medicare.
To legally see Medicare patients in a DPC model, I would be required to fully opt out of Medicare. Doing so would permanently sever my Medicare contract and prevent me from caring for Medicare patients in other clinical settings.
I have chosen not to opt out of Medicare to continue caring for my current Medicare patients. This allows me to serve both populations ethically and in compliance with federal regulations.
Where do you see Medicare patients?
I continue to see Medicare patients at Well Life Medicine on 12th Street SE. Wild Woman Wellness Medicine is a separate practice and does not provide care to Medicare-enrolled individuals.
What services are included in the DPC membership?
Your membership includes comprehensive primary care, including:
Preventive care and annual visits
Acute care visits for illness or injury
Chronic disease management
Medication management
Coordination of care and referrals
Lifestyle and wellness guidance
Longer visits and unhurried care
Direct communication with me between visits
See more details about primary care services offered.
What services are NOT included in the membership?
The DPC membership covers primary care only. The following services are not included and are offered separately or via add-on programs:
Sexual health consultations beyond primary care
Peptides
IV therapy
Injectable therapies and specialty injectables
These services are transparent, optional, and priced separately.
How much do labs and testing cost?
One of the benefits of DPC is access to low-cost, transparent lab pricing.
I work with cash-pay and wholesale labs when appropriate, often at a fraction of insurance-based pricing. Common labs, point-of-care tests, and respiratory viral testing are offered at clearly posted prices, with no surprise bills.
If insurance-based labs are more appropriate for your situation, I can order those as well.
What about medications?
Prescriptions can be sent to:
Your preferred pharmacy using insurance
Discount pharmacies
Cash-pay options
Mail-order or specialty pharmacies, when appropriate
I help you choose the most cost-effective and clinically appropriate option.
How big is your patient panel?
My panel is intentionally limited to 200 patients in 2026. This allows me to offer access, continuity, and depth of care that is not possible in traditional insurance-based practices.
What hours can I reach you?
You can generally reach me from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm most days. I am available by text from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Fridays through Sundays for after-hours needs.
Direct access is one of the benefits of a DPC relationship, and I make myself available far more than in traditional primary care.
What are the boundaries around contacting you?
If this is an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
If your concern can wait until regular office hours, we appreciate it.
If you truly need me, you may text. I will do my best to respond in a timely manner. At times, that may mean the next morning. This balance allows me to remain present, rested, and able to care for everyone well.
What happens when you are on vacation or unavailable?
When I am on vacation or otherwise unavailable, one of my assistants will be monitoring messages, calls, and texts.
If they are unable to reach me or I am unavailable, I will have a backup medical provider available to support continuity and safety of care.
Is this practice only for women?
While much of my work focuses on women’s health, perimenopause, menopause, and midlife transformation, Wild Woman Wellness Medicine is open to all adults who resonate with this.
What if I decide DPC is not for me?
DPC is a choice. If you decide this model is not aligned for you, there is no obligation to stay. Membership terms, notice requirements, and cancellation policies are outlined clearly in the membership agreement.
Why are you doing this?
Because medicine was never meant to be rushed, transactional, or dictated by insurance algorithms.
This practice is built on relationship, trust, curiosity, and care. It is medicine practiced slowly, thoughtfully, and with integrity.
Where do you see clients?
Our office is located in Salem. However, virtual sexual health coaching and consultations, and weight loss services are available to clients nationwide. Due to licensing restrictions, I can only prescribe medication to patients located in Oregon.
Also see:
