FAQ

What is Direct Primary Care?

DPC is a new model of healthcare delivery that focuses on putting the patent first and restoring the patient-doctor relationship. That means treating the patient when they need it, never rushing through appointments, and being proactive in creating treatment plans.

For a low, flat monthly fee, you get as many visits as you need with no copays, direct access to your doctor by cell phone, text, email, or video chat, same day or next day visits, extended, relaxed office visits, access to discounts on labs, pathology, and imaging, all without the need for insurance. We remove the intrusiveness of health insurance and deliver affordable and personal care, unparalleled by any other model.


What sets Waiola Direct Care apart from other practices?

At Waiola Direct Care, we remove barriers to care that are created by government regulations and insurance company rules. We remove the restrictions that typically leave physicians in the traditional healthcare setting buried in nonsense paperwork and clicking mindless check boxes. This allows us to spend our time where it counts: with our patients. In removing these interferences, we have returned Family Medicine to its root values of clinical excellence and compassion for patients. We promise to deliver unprecedented accessibility, convenience, and affordability. 

Does Waiola Direct Care accept my insurance?

We accept all patients, but we do not bill or interact with insurance companies. While the benefits of an insurance company might apply to the fixing of a damaged fender on your car, we see no reason for any insurer to have a voice about either the quality or the cost of your family’s care. We forgo insurance payments in order to save our patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions made by insurers. Furthermore, the direct nature of our model frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent physicians in traditional practice from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests and imaging. 

Do I still need insurance?

Yes. There are certain types of care we cannot provide for you, such as surgeries and hospital stays, and you would still need insurance to cover these emergency situations. Often you can opt for a lower cost, higher deductible plan that would still offer you coverage, but would lower your monthly premium, and pair this with a health savings account to save for those catastrophic events, that should be few and far between.

If I have Medicare, can I still join Waiola Direct Care?

The short answer is yes, in the very near future. However, in the early stages of our practice we will have to place you on a waiting list as the federal government has a few hoops for us to jump through first. Once we are able to enroll patients with Medicare, you only need to sign a biannual agreement declaring that neither you nor your doctor will directly bill Medicare for our services. Medicare will still cover any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations ordered by our office. 

Will I still benefit from Waiola Direct Care if I don't require frequent medical attention?

Yes! Unfortunately, most medical care has become very reactionary, something we use as a reaction to having symptoms or being sick. While we always provide sick care for our patients, it is also important to be proactive and create plans for staying healthy. Certainly, everyone benefits from healthcare tailored to them. The traditional healthcare model encourages you NOT to seek care until you are just about dying, but with Direct Primary Care, you can seek care at any time, preferably sooner rather than later, and we can actually prevent things from happening instead of waiting for them to happen. If we can prevent even one unnecessary visit to the ER, then you could save several months worth of membership costs by avoiding the copays and deductibles alone. There is nothing standing in the way of calling us, seeing us the same day or next day, or simply asking a quick question by text. Over time, we build a comprehensive knowledge of you and your health, and if you do end up needing more frequent medical attention, we know all about your needs and how to treat you best. 

Is concierge medicine the same as Direct Primary Care?

The terms are often used interchangeably and essentially refer to the same principles. Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model focused on putting the patient first. That means treating them when they need it, never rushing patients through appointments, and being proactive with healthcare treatment plans. The doctor-patient relationship is just as the name suggests – direct. Direct Primary Care clinics don’t accept insurance, rather they choose to work directly with the patient, providing wholesale labs, deeply discounted prescription prices, and other costs savings along the way. 

What if I need medical attention while I'm away from home?

Naturally we provide such care, yet another freedom we enjoy together as a result of our independence from the restrictions of third-party payment. Because we know you well, we can streamline your care when you’re sick away from home. Many illnesses can be diagnosed and treated with a simple conversation by phone, email, text or webcam. We’ll locate the nearest pharmacy and order the medications most appropriate for your circumstances. This helps you avoid urgent care and ER waiting rooms and long wait times, and gets you back to enjoying your trip as soon as possible.

How will I know if Waiola Direct Care is right for me?

Come get to know us! Schedule a free, unconditional visit to discuss your healthcare needs. It’s the only reasonable way to begin what we trust will be a long, productive, healthy relationship. Join our ohana!

What happens if I need to go to the hospital or see a specialist?

In providing superb care with unprecedented sorts of access, we seek to prevent or reduce hospitalizations and specialty referrals. In instances where those types of care are required, we will work with your hospitalist during your hospital stay as well as work closely with any specialist when such care is needed. In some cases, depending on the level of care and the expertise required, we may rely on those specialized caregivers to manage your treatment. We do encourage you to carry insurance for these kinds of needs, as we are not considered an insurance plan. 

What is OMT?

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, or OMT, is a set of techniques used by Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine to diagnose, treat and prevent illness and injury. Using OMT, a DO moves a patient’s muscles and joints using techniques including stretching, gentle pressure, and resistance. OMT can help patients of all ages and backgrounds. Although it is often used to treat muscle pain, it can also help provide relief for asthma, sinus disorders, migraines and carpal tunnel syndrome. In many cases, the treatment can be used to complement, or even replace, medications or surgery.