Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs

  • Direct primary care (DPC) is a growing model of healthcare that puts patients first. DPC practices do not bill or file insurance claims; instead, the patient pays directly for the services provided. This model of care provides freedom for both the physician and the patient, allowing us to provide personalized, patient-centered medicine. This model also allows physicians to have substantially fewer patients, so we can better individualize your care and provide comprehensive, reliable access to care.

  • The terms are frequently used interchangeably, as they embody the same core principles. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a healthcare model that prioritizes the patient above all else. This approach ensures timely care, unhurried appointments, and a proactive stance on crafting personalized healthcare plans. True to its name, the doctor-patient relationship in DPC is direct and unencumbered. By forgoing insurance, DPC clinics collaborate directly with patients, offering access to wholesale pricing on labs, imaging, and other services, delivering significant cost savings without compromising quality care.

  • BellaireCare is Bellaire/West U/Meyerland’s finest Direct Primary Care practice. We offer a pattern of family healthcare that is immediate, thorough, comprehensive, specific, easily affordable, and very, very personal.

  • We have eliminated the burdens of bureaucratic red tape, breaking free from the constraints that often entangle physicians in traditional healthcare settings with excessive and unproductive paperwork. Through the Direct Care model, we reclaim our time for what truly matters: focusing on our patients. By steadfastly preserving the sacred integrity of the patient-physician relationship, we have reimagined family medicine, embracing its foundational principles of clinical excellence and heartfelt understanding of every individual we serve. In every facet of family and personalized healthcare, we are committed to providing unparalleled accessibility, seamless convenience, and genuine affordability.

  • Absolutely, you can still benefit from Direct Primary Care (DPC) even if you don't see the doctor frequently. Here’s why:

    1. Proactive Health Planning: DPC emphasizes preventive care, so even if visits are infrequent, your physician can help create a customized health plan to keep you on track and minimize the need for future visits.

    2. 24/7 Accessibility: Many DPC practices offer access to your doctor via phone, text, or video calls, so you’re always covered, even if you just have quick questions or concerns.

    3. Cost Savings: With DPC, you typically gain access to services like labs, imaging, and prescriptions at reduced costs. This alone can be beneficial, even if you don’t visit often.

    4. Peace of Mind: Knowing you have a trusted doctor who knows you and your health history can offer reassurance, especially if an unexpected need arises.

    Even infrequent users of healthcare can find value in the personalized and accessible model DPC provides. It’s like having a safety net in place, tailored just for you.

  • No. Happily, no. The cornerstone of our care model lies in fostering a direct, personal relationship between you and your doctor—a relationship grounded in trust and unmediated by third parties. This philosophy extends seamlessly to our business model. While the oversight of an insurance company may suffice for managing car repairs, we firmly believe that no insurer should dictate the quality or cost of your family’s healthcare.

    By opting out of insurance payments, we shield our patients from the arbitrary and intrusive decisions commonly imposed by third-party payors. This direct, fee-for-service approach not only preserves the integrity of the doctor-patient relationship but also liberates us from restrictive contracts. As a result, we can provide wholesale pricing on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications, ensuring greater affordability without compromising the quality of care you receive.

  • While we do not accept insurance, we recognize its vital role in covering hospitalizations and severe medical conditions. Many patients in direct primary care practices choose high-deductible, catastrophic insurance plans to address such needs. Our model can be likened to car insurance—reserved for major accidents and significant expenses, rather than routine maintenance like oil changes or tune-ups. It's important to emphasize that the direct primary care model is not a form of insurance and does not fulfill the requirements outlined in the Affordable Care Act. Instead, it serves as a complementary approach to traditional insurance, focusing on personalized, accessible, and cost-effective primary care

  • Yes. You need only sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor your doctor in BellaireCare PLLC will directly bill Medicare for our services. Medicare will still cover any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations prescribed by our offices.

  • Unfortunately, no. Your retainer is not yet defined as a “medical expense” in most states and as such is not deductible. Please confer with your tax consultant to clarify tax consequences in your particular circumstances.

  • By delivering exceptional care with unparalleled access, our goal is to prevent or minimize the need for hospitalizations and specialty referrals. However, when such care becomes necessary, we remain fully committed to supporting you. During hospital stays, we collaborate closely with your hospitalist and work in tandem with any specialists involved in your treatment. In certain cases, where advanced expertise is required, we may entrust specific aspects of your care to specialized providers, ensuring that you receive the highest quality treatment at every stage.

  • Yes. We are happy to accept the children (5 to 20 years of age) of our enrolled clients. At this time, we are not able to provide routine vaccinations for young children but we will happily work with you to arrange these.

  • By all means, yes! Because illness and injury do not respect regular office hours, you may call, text, email your physician any day, at any hour. When you become a member you will receive Dr. Blacher’s personal cellphone number.

  • Naturally we provide such care – yet another freedom we enjoy together as a result of BellaireCare’ 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.

  • We maintain scrupulous standards of privacy. We are never obligated to provide any third party with a copy of your records unless you specifically ask that we do so.

  • We invite you to get to know us! Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation meet-and-greet with Dr. Blacher to explore your healthcare needs. It's the perfect way to start what we hope will be a lasting and rewarding partnership in your journey toward optimal health and well-being.

  • We invite you to get to know us! Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation meet-and-greet with Dr. Blacher to explore your healthcare needs. It's the perfect way to start what we hope will be a lasting and rewarding partnership in your journey toward optimal health and well-being.

  • Absolutely! We are proud to make personalized care accessible to everyone, regardless of ability, mobility, or transportation needs. This commitment is a cornerstone of our approach and truly sets us apart from other primary care providers in the area.

    Home Visits:

    • Each member is entitled to one complimentary home visit per year within a 5-mile radius of our clinic.

    • Additional home visits are available for just $50 per visit.

    Our mission is to bring exceptional healthcare directly to you, ensuring convenience and comfort without compromise

  • We take great care in coordinating with specialists, ensuring they are thoroughly informed about your health history and the purpose of your referral. Our priority is to facilitate timely appointments, so you receive the care you need without unnecessary delays. Specialist fees can conveniently be billed directly to your insurance, streamlining the process for you.

  • We consider our business model to be an alternative to managed care, offering a distinct approach to healthcare delivery. However, our approach to practicing medicine is anything but "alternative." We adhere strictly to evidence-based medical practices, ensuring that our care is rooted in proven science and the highest standards of modern medicine.

  • We offer comprehensive women’s healthcare services, which include routine gynecological exams, pap smears, contraceptive care, breast exams, menopause management, and the evaluation and treatment of common gynecological conditions. Additionally, we provide referrals for breast imaging and other specialized needs, ensuring thorough and personalized care at every stage of life

  • We provide comprehensive care for acute pain, offering effective treatment without hesitation. For chronic pain, we take a thoughtful and conservative approach when it comes to the use of narcotic or opioid medications. In most cases, patients requiring long-term narcotic pain management are referred to a specialized pain management physician to ensure the highest standard of care. However, every patient’s situation is evaluated individually, allowing us to tailor our approach to meet their unique needs.

  • For the time being, insurance companies do NOT recognize our membership fees as a reimbursable expense but some members are able to use FSA/HSA money to pay for membership fees.

  • In most cases, your insurance plan will function as usual at other doctors’ offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and similar providers. However, the specifics depend on the type of plan you have:

    • PPO Plans: These plans do not require a designated primary care physician for referrals, medications, or tests. BellaireCare physicians can seamlessly order or refer, allowing you to use your insurance to cover these services.

    • HMO Plans: These plans typically require an in-network designated primary doctor for access to additional services. In such cases, you may not be able to utilize your insurance unless you select an in-network primary doctor through the HMO. That said, we often provide HMO patients with affordable cash-pay options for tests and procedures as an alternative.

    • Traditional Medicare: Patients with Medicare can continue to use their coverage elsewhere for any services or referrals ordered by BellaireCare physicians.

    • Medicare Advantage Plans: Some plans may require an in-network primary care doctor for referrals and orders. Patients are encouraged to verify the specifics with their plan to avoid any confusion.

    We strive to offer flexibility and clarity, ensuring all patients receive the care they need, regardless of their insurance plan.

  • We are well-equipped to manage depression and anxiety, including prescribing medications when appropriate. However, we take a cautious and thoughtful approach to certain treatments for these conditions, and when necessary, we refer patients to a psychiatrist for specialized care. For conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, we do not provide direct management and will promptly guide patients to psychiatry for comprehensive support.

    As for ADD/ADHD, we ensure that diagnostic criteria are carefully evaluated and addressed to provide accurate and effective management tailored to each individual’s needs.

  • No, we require scheduling all visits beforehand. However, we are able to accommodate most patients the same day or next day. A quick phone call or message is usually all that is required.

  • We provide access to discounted laboratory tests and imaging services through direct client billing partnerships with local vendors. Additionally, we collaborate with your insurance provider to facilitate necessary imaging, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans, or MRIs. When specialized care is required, we ensure seamless referrals to trusted specialists, supporting you every step of the way in your healthcare journey.