FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is a Direct Pay medical practice?

A Direct Pay (cash pay, insurance-free) medical practice is an innovative, growing healthcare model that provides high-quality healthcare at reduced fees by eliminating expenses associated with insurance and government involvement. Our practice does not participate with any insurance or government healthcare program, which means we are ‘third-party free’. By reducing our administrative expenses we are able to provide our patients with affordable medical care, quicker access to treatment, individualized attention and service, quality time with your provider, shorter office wait times and transparent fees for our services.

Why Direct Pay?

Our healthcare system continues to rapidly change and regrettably the delivery of healthcare has suffered. Every year brings more complex rules, regulations and mandates, leaving less time to care for our patients. Medicine has become impersonal and automated, much like an assembly line. Physicians are leaving independent practice or abandoning medicine, while patients cannot even afford to see a healthcare provider due to increasing insurance premiums, deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses.

How do you provide personalized care for your patients?
  • Patients always see Jacki Kment, PA-C, a nationally-certified physician assistant (PA) with over 25 years of dermatology experience. Jacki will take the time to explain your diagnosis and treatment plan in language you will be able to understand. Since she is ‘third-party free’, she does not have conflicts of interest with respect to your care. Her priority is to do what is best for you, not what is mandated by an insurance company.
  • Our staff will treat you with courtesy and respect and will call you promptly with any test results. We take all patient suggestions and concerns seriously and will strive to exceed your expectations.
How do you create value for your patients?
  • Excessive rules, regulations and mandates have resulted in skyrocketing healthcare costs. Patients continue to pay expensive insurance premiums yet still cannot afford care due to high deductibles, co-pays and out-of-pocket expenses. To make matters even worse, patients have no idea what their out-of-pocket expenses are until they receive a billing statement months later.
  • We use a simple approach. By eliminating third parties from our practice, we reduce our administrative costs and then pass these savings on to you. By being transparent, patients will know up front what they will pay for their care. Thus, there are no surprises or hidden bills that show up after your visit.
  • Patients with high deductibles or no insurance will find that our fees are significantly lower than what they are currently paying out-of-pocket for their care. For those who have out-of-network benefits we can provide, at your request, a ‘coded’ receipt that you may submit to your insurance carrier for potential reimbursement.
Do you take any insurance?

No, we do not. We are a Direct Pay practice, which means we do not participate with any insurance or governmental healthcare programs. Payment for all services is required at check-out after you are seen in our office that day.

How much will I have to pay?
  • By eliminating health insurance from our practice we are able to reduce our expenses and keep our fees reasonable and transparent. Our fees are based on the complexity of your concerns and the time spent with your provider.
  • Our transparent fees are available in print and online. Please feel free to view our Medical Fee Schedule and Financial Policy.
What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, checks and major credit or debit cards. Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover are accepted forms of payment.

May I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) or my Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for my visits?

Yes. You are welcome to pay us with your HSA or FSA at the time of service.

What if I need pathology or lab work?

If you need pathology or laboratory services there will be a separate fee(s) associated with these services. All pathology and laboratory services will be performed by an outside facility. We are pleased to have specific pathology and laboratory companies that are willing to offer our uninsured patients significant savings for these services. To qualify as uninsured, a patient cannot participate in any health insurance program through a commercial or governmental payer. Pricing is for uninsured patients only and will be billed directly to the patient.  Patients who participate with any health insurance program will be billed through their commercial or governmental payer.

May I submit a claim to my insurance company if I have out-of-network benefits?

Yes, you may. Upon request, we can provide the necessary information for you to file a claim with your insurance company (there is a nominal fee for this service). However, please note that we cannot guarantee that your insurance company will reimburse you. All questions regarding your insurance coverage and reimbursement will need to be directed to your insurance company or benefits manager.

What if I have Medicare and/or Medicaid?

We do not participate with any government healthcare program. Medicare and Medicaid will still cover medications or testing currently covered that our provider prescribes. If you have Medicare or Medicaid you are required to sign a private contract before we can provide care for you. This contract indicates that you understand that medical services will not be covered and that you are not allowed to file a claim and neither are we. If you anticipate needing pathology services you will need to bring your insurance card(s) for us to provide the information to the pathology company. If you have supplemental plans and have questions regarding your coverage, please contact your insurance company.

What if something needs to be done that is expensive?

We can refer you to another office that participates with your insurance company. If we provide the treatment, all fees are discussed prior the services being performed.

Are there any other fees?

Occasionally, there may be additional fees for staff time, administrative work or other extra tasks done on your behalf. We will certainly inform you in advance any time an extra fee may apply. Not showing for an appointment or cancellations made with less than at least one full business day notice from the scheduled appointment time may also have a fee assessed.

Are you a concierge practice?

No. We are not a concierge practice as we do not charge upfront initiation or membership fees. Our patients only pay when services are provided.

Are PAs able to own a medical practice?

In Nebraska, PAs may own a medical practice. We are able to do this through a team-based approach by utilizing independent supervising physicians.

How do you safeguard patient privacy?

In a Direct Pay practice, neither the government nor insurance companies have access to your private medical records. The only way a third party will receive your information is if you give us written permission to provide your information to them.

For any Direct Pay questions please feel free to call us at: 402-318-3550