Larry Kaskel MD | Concierge Care
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need this type of service?
Yes. Absolutely. You get the comfort of knowing your doctor is always a brief text away, and you still get all the benefits of being with Northwestern: labs, imaging, specialists, and the hospital with none of the red tape getting in or access to care when YOU want it. If you don't think your health is worth it, you can stay on the assembly line.
Do physicians with a smaller patient panel provides higher quality care and more preventative care?
You bet your gluteus maximus they do.
What makes your concierge practice unique or better?
I pride myself on being an exceptionally ethical and patient-focused concierge physician. It is my steadfast commitment to never engage in any form of financial duplicity. Specifically, I firmly uphold the principle of not billing both your insurance company and yourself for consultations. In fact, I have implemented a system that enables your insurance provider to reimburse you directly for each visit. I firmly believe that receiving double compensation for every appointment goes against the core principles of integrity and fairness in healthcare.
How much does it cost to be a patient?
We have three different membership types.
-
Individual Membership: $215/month
-
Couples Membership: $395/month
-
College Student Membership: $100/month
A myMD Direct Primary Care membership ensures that there are no additional charges for office visits, virtual care, or any other communication with your doctor. This means that there are no co-pays.
What services are covered by the annual fee?
The following services are included in the annual fee:
-
Initial visit to your doctor to complete a comprehensive review of your medical history and to perform a physical examination. During this visit, you and your doctor will collaborate on developing your plan of care.
-
Complimentary behavioral health evaluation with Dr. Casey Foreman.
-
All in-person office visits and virtual visits via the secure, HIPAA-certified platform that we use in our practice.
-
Sick visits as needed.
-
Follow-up visits as needed.
-
Management of chronic conditions and associated office visits.
-
An annual comprehensive physical with associated routine blood tests included.
-
Coordination of medical care with your specialists.
-
Tests completed in our office, also known as Point of Care (POC) testing, with immediately available results.
-
ECGs as needed.
Do you take insurance?
myMD Direct Primary Care does not accept insurance payments for our medical services. Rather, our stated services are covered by the annual fee. However, as a courtesy, we will submit a super-bill to your insurance company and you will receive reimbursement directly based on your insurance plan.
Do I need to keep my insurance?
Yes! Your insurance will be billed directly for lab work that is not part of a physical, vaccines administered in our office, any diagnostic testing not done in our office, specialist visits, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.
As a courtesy, Dr. Kaskel will submit a claim to your insurance for each of your visits, and you may actually end up making money on the deal.
How and when can I communicate with my doctor?
You may reach your myMD Direct Primary Care doctor directly during regular office hours via phone, text message or email through our secure app Spruce which populates directly into your medical record. You can also reach your doctor directly after hours for emergency care.
Can I use my HSA to cover costs?
Yes, you can. Concierge care and HSA work well together. As a general rule, if insurance normally pays for it, so will your HSA. What makes it great is that your HSA contribution can be up to $3500 per year. We will provide you with an invoice for all medical services provided to you and you can reimburse yourself through your HSA. Physician fees are considered a qualified medical expense. For example, we will issue an invoice for your annual exam of $295 which should be reimbursed and covered. For each office visit either in person or via video, you will receive an invoice for $150. You can do the math to see that with a few visits per year, your membership fee is covered. And you get a private, on-staff physician like a rockstar for close to free. A no-brainer if you ask me.
Will it be difficult to see my doctor in a timely fashion?
No, your doctor will be accessible and appointments will be readily available. Remember, Doctor Kaskel will only have 180 patients in his panel in order to ensure that he can provide specialized care to each and every patient.
How and when can I schedule appointments?
Appointment scheduling is available by phone call, or by sending us a message on our secure practice app, Spruce. Appointments are available on your time – same day or next day availability is typical. Ample time is allotted for appointments.
Will you have access to my medical records and will records generated in your office be available to my other doctors?
Yes. myMD Direct Primary Care will have access to the EPIC electronic medical record (EMR) system. If you have been a patient at Northwestern Medicine, all of your medical records will be available to myMD Direct Primary Care.
If you have been seen at another institution that uses EPIC (NorthShore University Health System, Rush University Medical Center, Loyola University Medical Center, Amita Health, Advocate / Lutheran General Hospital, Mayo Clinic, and many more), it is likely that myMD Direct Primary Care will have access to your records via the “CARE EVERYWHERE” portal in Athena.
What about emergencies?
Part of our mission at myMD Direct Primary Care is to keep patients out of the emergency room by providing timely and appropriate care, but emergencies do happen. myMD Direct Primary Care patients can receive emergency care at any facility in which they have coverage and myMD Direct Primary Care doctors will be available for consultation with any emergency care physicians. Emergency room care will be billed to your insurance.
How do I pay?
Via ACH or credit card. There is a small discount if you use ACH.
If I am hospitalized, how will you continue to participate in my medical care?
Dr. Kaskel will coordinate closely with the inpatient (hospitalist) team at the institution where you are admitted.
I can't afford the membership fee. Can the doctor make an exception?
For a limited time only. The doctor can see you until one of the three following things occurs:
1. You join the membership (before it's too late).
2. The membership fills and there is no more access.
3. You go to kaskeltelemed.com to make an appointment.