Frequently asked questions
What is Direct Primary Care?
In Direct Primary Care (DPC) Patients pay their physician directly through a monthly membership fee that covers primary care services.
With Direct Primary Care, physicians limit their practices to fewer patients and spend more time with each person. This restores the physician-patient relationship. The key benefit of Direct Primary Care is that you have access to your doctor when you need her and the cost is often less than what insurance would charge.
Do I still need insurance?
Yes. While your insurance will not be charged for the services I provide, you still need insurance for medical procedures outside of my practice. These include hospitalizations, emergency room visits, radiology and EMS services, which will be billed to your insurance by those providers. Salish Sea Medical is not a health insurer. We provide the health care services described.
Do you accept Medicare?
No. I do not bill Medicare for my services. Patients with Medicare can be members of Salish Sea Medical which includes all of the services provided by me.
Can employers pay Salish Medical membership fees?
Yes. The IRS allows businesses to pay membership fees. If you don’t offer your team health benefits, or if you have a Health Reimbursement (HRA) or Flex Spending (FSA), then membership fees may be a tax-deductible write-off for your business!
Can I sponsor a Salish Medical membership?
Yes. Please visit the Gift Memberships page.
Where can I get lab work and x-rays/radiology?
I offer some labs in the office, including pregnancy tests and urinalysis. For the rest, I provide orders that can be taken to local labs and radiology like Orcas Clinic, Peace Island, Skagit and Island Hospital.
Where can I get vaccines?
Currently, I offer tetanus and adult flu vaccines in the office. For others, I help patients find the best place to get their vaccines.
Do you offer after hours care?
Yes. I am available after office hours for my patients.
What happens after hours?
I will be available by phone and telemedicine for urgent issues. If an in-person visit is required after hours, I will do my best to accommodate patients and will refer to the appropriate local emergency room or urgent care if needed.
How do patients make appointments?
You can make appointments through my patient portal or by phone. Office hours are Monday-Wednesday, and Friday, 9-5.
What happens when you are on vacation?
I will notify patients in advance and have an arrangement for call coverage during those times. Outside of office hours, I will be available for phone calls or telemedicine for urgent needs.
What hospitals are you connected to?
I have medical staff privileges at Island Hospital, Skagit Regional Health, UW Medicine, and Swedish. I have worked as family medicine faculty and developed relationships with these institutions. I will work to find the best fit for my patients based on quality, diagnosis and convenience.
Where is your office?
Salish Sea Medical is located in the heart of Eastsound at the corner of Main Street and Haven Road—right across from Ray’s Pharmacy.
Other questions?
If you don’t see an answer here, please email us.
