If we haven’t fully answered all your questions, please contact us or use the form below.
Still Have Questions?
Take a moment to explore the benefits of MED CLUB and find out what it is the right choice for you.
Membership Questions
- What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an affordable medical practice model where primary care physicians have direct relationships with their patients. DPC physicians are paid by the patient or their employer, not by the insurance company. Therefore, medical decisions are made by the doctor and patient as a team. Medical insurance companies bury doctors in red tape and paperwork, so when the insurance company is removed from the picture, costs are greatly reduced. DPC is not comprehensive healthcare insurance. It is often recommended that members obtain a high-deductible healthcare policy to cover major emergencies and catastrophic events. Due to the unique economic structure of DPC practices, they have a positive impact on the community and healthcare industry.
- What is MED CLUB?
MED CLUB has cut the red tape of bureaucracy! The restrictions, which typically leave the traditional healthcare provider buried in paper work are gone with Direct Primary Care. The DPC physician can spend time where it really counts – with patients! In recognizing the sanctity of the patient-doctor relationship, we have returned family practice medicine to its root values of clinical excellence, compassion, and personal knowledge of our patients. In every aspect of MED CLUB’s family practice medicine, we promise quality, accessibility, and value.
- Is concierge medicine the same as Direct Primary Care?
No! Unlike concierge medical practices, which often accept healthcare insurance and are typically targeted to the more affluent patients, Direct Primary Care practices prioritize in making healthcare more affordable for everyone. Mistakenly, the terms are often used interchangeably.
- What sets MED CLUB apart from other practices?
MED CLUB is Bartlesville’s FIRST exclusive Direct Primary Care practice. We ONLY practice Family Medicine. We are NOT an Urgent Care or Walk-In Clinic. MED CLUB offers greater access and more personalized care to patients in exchange for a direct monthly payment. Members may also benefit from deeply discounted lab tests and a limited on site pharmacy.
- Will I benefit from MED CLUB if I don’t require frequent medical attention?
Yes, everyone benefits from a tailored service. That’s why we offer truly custom healthcare. Our practice is devoted to the maintenance of your good health and the enhancements of your daily experience that only physical well-being can bring.
At MED CLUB we have the gift of time and give large amounts of precious time to our patients. As the months and years go by, we will build an intimate knowledge of YOUR health and gain an invaluable understanding of YOU unlike tradition medical practices.
- Is my membership to MED CLUB tax deductible?
Unfortunately, no. Your monthly retainer is not defined as a “medical expense” in most states and as such is not deductible. The American Academy of Private Physicians is lobbying hard to win rightful deductibility for these expenses. Although, most extra services, i.e. antibiotic shot, HbgA1C, etc., are tax deductible. In the meantime, confer with your tax consultant to clarify tax consequences.
- Why charge a monthly fee?
The monthly membership fee allows patients to budget their healthcare finances without the worry of extra charges for office visits, co-pays, and deductibles. Also, the payment setup provides the physician a stable foundation which enables patient care priority.
- Can children become members of MED CLUB?
Yes! We are happy to accept the children (birth to 19 years of age) of an enrolled parent/guardian. Also, children without parent/guardian may become members of MED CLUB with special arrangements. At this time, we are not able to provide routine vaccinations for young children but we will be happy to help you arrange them.
- Is there an enrollment fee and/or contract involved to join MED CLUB?
Yes, there is an initial $99 administrative/enrollment fee. Yes, there is a membership agreement between you and MED CLUB. Please see our membership agreement.
- What if I cancel my membership and later want to rejoin?
You are never under obligation to continue your membership and may discontinue, without penalty, after providing a 30-day written notice. To rejoin is always at the doctor’s discretion. Also remember, one of the great benefits of DPC is the limited number of patients accepted.
- How will I know if MED CLUB is the right place for me?
Come get to know us! Schedule a NO OBLIGATION, non medical visit to discuss your questions or concerns about Med Club and Direct Primary Care. It’s the only reasonable way to begin what we trust will be a long, productive, healthy relationship. Contact us today.
General Questions
- What happens if I need to go to the hospital or see a specialist?
In providing quality care with unprecedented access, we seek to reduce hospitalizations and specialty referrals. However, when those types of care are required, we will certainly continue to work with your hospital doctor, as well as work closely with the medical specialists. Depending on the level of care and required medical expertise, we will rely on those specialized caregivers to manage your treatment.
- What services are covered with a MED CLUB membership?
MED CLUB is an ambulatory family medicine clinic. We provide medical services that are permitted under the laws of the state of Oklahoma. The provided services will be consistent with the physician’s training and experience, are usual and customary for a family medicine physician’s practice and if deemed appropriate and medically necessary by the physician.
- What medical conditions do you care for?
We treat acute and chronic primary care medical problems, along with health maintenance issues. Dr. Williams has more than 20 years of experience in helping improve quality care for patients.
- What services are not provided with a MED CLUB membership?
We do not prescribe routine narcotics for chronic pain, benzodiazepines for anxiety and/or other related health disorders, or stimulants for attention deficit disorder or other related health disorders. These medications have the potential of being abused and we do not have the capability to monitor their appropriate usage. For similar reasons we do not prescribe performance enhancement medications. We do NOT refill medications after hours. Also, not covered are intravenous medications and their administration, Department of Transportation physicals, disability form completion, motor vehicle form completion, workman’s compensation, obstetrical care and many routine immunizations.
X-Rays and other imaging, lab draws, lab tests and pathology analysis are not covered by the monthly fee; however, we have negotiated deeply discounted prices and pass on the savings. Several popular, generic prescription medications are dispensed from our office for further savings and convenience to our patients. Otherwise, a written prescription may be provided to be filled by your preferred pharmacy.
- What if I need medical attention while I am away from home?
This is another freedom of MED CLUB’s independence from the restrictions of third-party payments. And because we know you and your medical history, we can help when you are away from home and become ill. Many medical issues can be diagnosed and treated with a simple conversation by phone, email, text or facetime. With your assistance, we will locate the nearest pharmacy and order the medications most appropriate for your circumstances.
If you have a life threatening or permanently disabling emergency do not waste time, call 911 immediately or seek care at the closest emergency room. We recommend that you review the definition of an Emergency Medical Condition before an emergency may arise.
- Can I contact my physician after hours? And how?
YES! Patients are given a phone number to call the physician directly regarding after hours emergencies.
If you have a life threatening or permanently disabling emergency do not waste time, call 911 immediately or seek care at the closest emergency room. We recommend that you review the definition of an Emergency Medical Condition before an emergency may arise.
Medicare and Insurance Questions
- Does MED CLUB accept health insurance?
No. Perhaps the biggest difference in our model of care, centers on the direct, personal relationship between you and your doctor. That directness carries over to our business model as well. We see no reason for an insurance company 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 that inevitably follow with third-party payers (insurance companies). Furthermore, this direct fee-for-service arrangement frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent physicians from offering deeply discounted prices on laboratory tests and some generic medications.
- As a patient of MED CLUB, will I still need health insurance?
Yes. We recommend our patients continue a major medical plan with a high deductible and savings account to ensure financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary. We are happy to refer you to insurance representatives who can help customize an insurance plan to your specific needs.
On the 21st day of April, 2015, the “Health Care Empowerment Act” was signed into Oklahoma law. This act allows a patient or legal representative to seek care outside of an insurance plan or outside of the Medicaid or Medicare programs, and directly pay for such care. The act further allows that patient or legal representative to enter into a “direct primary care membership agreement” with a primary care provider and that the agreement is not subject to regulations under the Oklahoma Insurance Code.
- If I have Medicare, can I still join MED CLUB?
Yes! You need only to sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor your doctor will directly bill Medicare for our fees and services.
Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance will still cover medical costs that you incur outside of MED CLUB. For example, prescriptions that you fill at an outside pharmacy, or labs performed at an outside laboratory, or hospital charges, physical therapy and imaging are covered, just to name a few. You do not lose your Medicare coverage for other medical needs because you are a member of MED CLUB.
- When do I pay my fees for medications, lab fees and extra services?
You pay at the time of service for medications, lab fees, and extra services preformed onsite at Med Club. These costs are not covered by the monthly membership fee. We do dispense some generic prescription medications here at our office and you will pay deeply discounted prices.
If you are given a prescription for a mediation that is not dispense at Med Club, you will pay the offsite pharmacy as usual.
X-Rays and other imaging, lab draws, pathology analysis and other medically necessary services NOT performed onsite by Med Club are also not covered by the monthly membership fee. We have, however, negotiated deeply discounted prices for these services and pass the savings directly to our patients.