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?
Other concierge doctors often charge both membership fees and co-pays, but Dr. Kaskel keeps it simple by only asking for the membership fee.
How much does it cost to be a patient?
Please call or text 847-595-4838 with serious inquiries only.
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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:
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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.
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All in-person office visits and virtual visits via the secure, HIPAA-certified platform that we use in our practice.
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Sick visits as needed.
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Follow-up visits as needed.
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Management of chronic conditions and associated office visits.
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An annual comprehensive physical with associated routine blood tests included.
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Coordination of medical care with your specialists.
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Tests completed in our office, also known as Point of Care (POC) testing, with immediately available results.
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ECGs as needed.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, we are in network with most insurance companies except medicare.
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.​
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.
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.