Letter to Our Patients

July 7, 2017

 

To Our Patients,

We have important news to share with you. We are excited to announce the transformation of Primary Care Partnership to a new practice model which will allow us to expand upon the delivery of high quality care.

Our practice has always been based on the principle that we are partners with our patients. We practice with integrity, in a patient-centered practice, where the whole individual is seen and heard. We are striving to continue to provide the high quality of care you expect, the reason why you have put your faith in us as your physicians.

The current market forces have increasingly obstructed our ability to practice medicine with you, our patient, as the focus. We have been told that the current system of reimbursement is not set up to support our level of service. We have researched alternatives and settled upon a membership model called Direct Primary Care as the best way to do this. Endorsed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, this approach allows us to shift the relationship to be directly between you and us – without the interference of insurance companies. We will now be directly accountable to you, and free to concentrate on your care exclusively, staying true to our professional beliefs.

The practice model also frees us up to be more accessible in our communications with our patients, including visits by phone, video, text and email, where appropriate. We will still be part of Prima CARE, P.C. and continue to utilize the scientific medical model, while incorporating complementary modalities into our plans of care, and encouraging you to familiarize yourself with these approaches. These include yoga, meditation, acupuncture, nutrition, muscular therapy, and Alexander Technique. 

After October 1, 2017, we will only be seeing patients who have elected to join.

Please read the important benefits and details that follow, and learn about how to continue as our patient.

We feel that you deserve our best effort. We want to be free to take care of you as we see fit. We value our connection with you, and hope you will stay with us in this exciting new venture.

Sincerely,

 
 

Cathleen S. Hood, MD                                               Karen L. Ottenstein, MD   

Partnering to Make Wellness a Priority

To continue to provide our current level of personalized and comprehensive primary care, we find it necessary to adjust our practice to see a limited number of patients. This membership program eliminates the rush of a doctor’s packed schedule in favor of personal, dedicated time with each patient, where we can take more time to know about your history and goals for the future, and foster a greater partnership to aid in meeting those goals.

Joining our smaller, more personalized practice will allow you to receive a broad range of office care and enjoy many significant benefits not typically found in a medical practice today, including:

  • Easy and direct communication with us via cell, text or email for your peace of mind and possibly eliminating the need for an appointment altogether
  • Same day or next day appointments for your convenience, and brief or no office wait times
  • Extended and relaxed office visits so all your questions can be addressed
  • Guidance and care coordination in the event of need for specialty referrals or hospital stays
  • NO copays or deductibles for our broad scope of primary care services – your membership fee covers the full range of services provided by our office
  • Home visits when appropriate
  • Reduced likelihood of emergency department visits and hospitalization
  • Access to a coordinated network of alternative/complementary providers to support a holistic approach to patient care, with one free introductory session per provider included in the membership fee.

Here’s How it Works

All patients have the opportunity to join on a first come, first served basis. We encourage those of you who wish to continue as our patient to inform us as soon as possible. Once we meet capacity, a waiting list will be started. There is an option to pay monthly, quarterly or annually through debit or credit card.

The monthly fee to become a member of Primary Care Partnership for our existing patients is $175 per month.  For new patients, the monthly fee is $200/month. There is a discount for couples, and family discounts are available as well.

Although your membership fee will cover the vast majority of your primary care needs, it is not an insurance plan. It is essential that you and your family maintain a medical insurance policy to cover those services not included in your membership (such as hospitalizations, services provided by specialists, diagnostic testing and prescription drugs). Membership will not affect the way your insurance pays for these services.

How to Continue as Our Patient

Since a number of our patients are expected to show interest in this opportunity, we encourage you to assure your place now by joining in one of the following ways:

  • Online on our Join Us page
  • By contacting Kathy Lord or Alda Botelho, our membership coordinators, at 508 636 7893
  • By printing and returning an intent form

For more information you may attend one of our information sessions.

After October 1, 2017, we will only be seeing patients who have elected to join.

We understand that some of our patients will choose not to join, however we remain committed to assisting you with your health care in the interim. If you choose not to join our new practice, Prima CARE P.C. is establishing two new primary care physicians, Dr Shanjin Cao and Dr. Xiaodan Wang, located next door at 829 Main Rd, Suite B, Westport, MA 02790, to ensure continuity of your care. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to the new Primary Care Partnership.