Ting Family Medicine, PLLC – Your Doctor. Your Health. Your Time.
Frequently asked questions
General Questions
What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
At Ting Family Medicine, we believe healthcare should be personal, simple, and centered around you—not insurance companies. That’s why our clinic follows the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model.
Instead of paying per visit or dealing with copays and deductibles, you pay a straightforward monthly membership fee. This covers nearly all of your primary care needs—office visits, preventive care, management of chronic conditions, minor procedures, and direct communication with your doctor by phone, text, or video.
Because we don’t bill insurance, we’re able to focus on what truly matters: spending time with you, listening to your concerns, and building a lasting relationship based on trust and accessibility. Appointments are unhurried, easy to schedule, and focused on your health goals.
Direct Primary Care allows Dr. Ting to provide the kind of thoughtful, comprehensive care that’s often lost in today’s fast-paced, insurance-driven system. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that when you need your doctor, you can reach out directly—without barriers or surprise bills.
Our mission is to bring healthcare back to its roots: a meaningful partnership between doctor and patient, designed to keep you well and make care more transparent, affordable, and accessible.
How is DPC different from traditional primary care?
In a traditional clinic, physicians often manage 1,500–3,000 patients and spend much of their day charting in the electronic medical record and insurance paperwork. In DPC, I limit my practice to about 300 patients, which means I can spend more time with you, offer same-day or next-day appointments, and communicate directly via text, email, or phone.
What are the differences between Direct Primary Care (DPC) and Concierge Medicine?
At Ting Family Medicine, we follow the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model — which may sound similar to “concierge medicine,” but there’s an important difference.
In DPC, you pay a simple, flat monthly membership fee that covers nearly all of your primary care needs — office visits, same-day or next-day appointments, telemedicine, messaging, see services. We do not bill your insurance, which means no surprise charges, no copays, and no middlemen between you and your doctor.
Concierge medicine, on the other hand, typically charges a higher annual retainer fee in addition to billing your insurance for visits and procedures. The concierge fee mainly pays for extra conveniences like same-day scheduling or extended visits — but insurance still handles the rest.
Here’s a clear side-by-side comparison:
Feature | Direct Primary Care (DPC) | Concierge Medicine |
Payment Model | Monthly or annual membership fee (usually $100-$150/month) | Annual “retainer” fee (often $1,500–$3,000+ per year) |
Insurance | Does not bill insurance. Membership covers nearly all primary care services. | Bills insurance in addition to the concierge fee. Fee pays for extra access and services. |
Purpose of Fee | Covers office visits, communication (text/email/video). | Covers enhanced access (same-day visits, direct doctor contact), but not medical services — those are still billed to insurance. |
Typical Patient Panel Size | Small — usually 200–800 patients per doctor | Larger — typically 600–1,000+ patients per doctor |
Access & Communication | 24/7 communication, longer visits, transparent pricing, coordination of specialist care | 24/7 communication, longer visits, coordination of specialist care |
Insurance Needed? | Optional, but encouraged — patients may pair with a high-deductible or catastrophic plan | Required — concierge practices usually bill your insurance for covered services |
Focus | Affordable, simplified care for all ages; especially helpful for uninsured, under insured or high-deductible patients | Premium, convenience-based care for those willing to pay more for personal service |
Example Patient Benefit | $125/month covers unlimited visits, simple labs, minor procedures, telemedicine | $2,000/year for guaranteed same-day appointments and 24/7 phone access, but you still pay copays/insurance bills |
Do you take insurance?
No — and that’s intentional. By cutting out insurance middlemen, I can focus entirely on your care and keep costs transparent and predictable. You can still use your insurance for labs, imaging, specialists, and hospital care if you have it.
Do I still need health insurance if I join?
Yes — I recommend at least a high-deductible plan or health-sharing plan to cover unexpected hospitalizations, surgeries, or specialist care. My practice focuses on your day-to-day primary care needs.
Can I use HSA account to pay for membership fees to direct primary care clinics like Ting Family Medicine?
Yes, starting January 1, 2026, you can use your HSA funds to pay for Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership fees, thanks to a change in federal law under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1).
What's Changing?
Previously, the IRS did not consider DPC membership fees as qualified medical expenses, so HSA funds couldn't be used to pay for them. But the new law reclassifies DPC memberships as eligible expenses, allowing HSA holders to use their funds for:
- Monthly DPC membership fees
- Routine and preventive care provided under DPC agreements
HSA Usage Rules for DPC (Starting 2026)
- You must still be enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) to contribute to an HSA.
- You can use your HSA debit card or reimburse yourself for DPC fees.
- Monthly reimbursement caps apply:
- $150 - month for individuals
- $300 - month for families
What About FSAs?
The rules for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are less clear. While FSAs can be used for many out-of-pocket medical expenses, DPC membership fees may or may not be eligible, depending on how the plan is structured and interpreted by your employer or FSA administrator. Some sources suggest itemizing services (e.g., labs, medications) might help qualify portions of the fee.
I have Medicare, can I still join Ting Family Medicine?
Of course! While we do not bill Medicare for our services, you can still take part in all of the other benefits of your Medicare plan (prescriptions, labs, radiology and specialist services, and hospital bills).
Membership & Billing
What is included in my membership fee?
Your membership includes unlimited office visits, telehealth visits, direct communication with me, routine procedures (such as skin biopsies, joint injections, and cryotherapy), chronic disease management, and coordination of care.
Access & Communication
How do I contact you if I have a question?
Do you offer telehealth or virtual visits?
What are your office hours? Are you available after hours?
Can I get same-day or next-day appointments?
Care & Services
What types of conditions do you treat?
Everything you’d expect from a family physician: acute illnesses, chronic disease management, mental health, skin conditions, joint pain, and preventive care. (See Services page for full list.)