Happy Holidays, Merry Solstice, and Office Updates

Pure joy

I have a four year old little boy. He intuitively seems to know when I am sad, upset, or anxious. He will sidle up to me where I am sitting and climb up on my lap or snuggle in beside me and place his hand on my head, gently stroking my hair. I lovingly call him my heart medicine as his touch is like a salve or patch on my sore heart. So special! What better medicine or gift is there than love?! He embodies my motivation and strength. He challenges me to come to each day with prescence, even when it is hard to find the positive. This time of the year with the cold and snow and short days there is a turning in, a slowing down. It is in these quiet moments and days that we have the opportunity to have clarity and to realize the importance of what really matters in life. In the end, belongings are just stuff, money is just money. They hold such little weight compared to the love of family and friends, peace in our hearts, fresh air in our lungs, freedom from fear, and health in our bodies and minds. This holiday we wish for you these gifts. May each and every one of you be touched by the true spirit of the holiday this season..

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The physicians at SNFW are launching a new model of healthcare delivery this coming year!

Direct Primary Care
  You and your doctor; the way it used to be

Direct primary Care is an innovative alternative to conventional health insurance. It is a care model of the past, which is again gaining rapidly in popularity. This model addresses the majority of primary care needs, including annual check-ups, routine care, and care coordination, while dramatically reducing the cost of healthcare for individuals, families, and businesses. DPC eliminates fee for service, or insurance billing, and employs a flat fee payment structure. Patients are able enjoy comprehensive primary care services at an affordable rate with an emphasis on wellness and health. Your chosen provider then enjoys the flexiblity of being available to you via email/portal/text/phone or in person or at home depending on the need. 

What are the fees?
      There are two plan options:
1. The Roots Package
Annual Fees:
Individual = $960.00
Couple = $1680.00
Individual Child 0-15 years = $600.00
Children 16-22 years = FREE*
Family (Individual or Couple Fee) plus $240.00/child →
  (Additional Family Members beyond #5 are free)
Additional office fees or Copayments: None.
* Must have another participating family member

2. Roots and Branches Package
Annual Fees:
Individual = $2,100
Couple = $3,840
Individual Child (0-15 years) = $750
Individual Child (16-22 years) = FREE*
Family (Individual or Couple Fee) plus $390/child→
  (Additional Family Members beyond #5 are free)
*Must have another participating family member


What do the packages include? 
The Roots Package includes: 

• Provider call-backs and texts within 4 hours Monday through Friday 8am-8pm, same business day email reply
• Unlimited office visits including annual comprehensive physical and individualized wellness plan
• Same day appointments for urgent needs
• 24/7 access to physician on-call for urgent medical needs
• Email/Phone consultations
• Minor office procedures (mole removal, wart removal, etc.)
• Free Lab Services (limitations apply)
• 10% discount on all dispensary items
• Newborn Home visits/ Home visits on as needed basis
• 23andme genetic report analysis
• Bio-Impedence Analysis of body composition (BIA)
• Acupuncture appointment $35.00/session
• Craniosacral appointment $60.00/60 minute session
• Avacen pain relief treatment: in-office sessions 15-20minutes. Complimentary one time session. $15.00/session afterwards. 

The Roots and Branches Package includes: 

• Contents of Roots Package, plus:
• 1 complimentary craniosacral session, then $25.00/60 minute session
• 1 complimentary acupuncture session, then $25.00/ session
• Avacen punch card. 10 punches for $50.00 with complimentary session after 10 punches
• 1 complimentary clinical nutrition visit with registered dietician
• 35% discount on all dispensary items

 
When will this go into affect?
Dr. Robens will be offering DPC to all clients, starting January 1st 2017.
Dr. Devoe will take all current insurance plans until March 1st. and then will be able to offer DPC to clients.
Dr. Tuttle will continue to take Cigna and MVP until March 20th and will take BCBS of VT until June 20th.  Thus, after 3/20, she can offer DPC to interested clients who have Cigna or MVP and after 6/20 for BC clients. 
Stacey London-Oshkello, RD will continue to contract with insurance plans.
 
Will you keep working with Medicaid?
Yes, we will continue to work with Medicaid clients indefinitely.
 
Can providers still order tests and medications?
Yes, lab services performed at SNFW are Free of charge under the DPC agreement. (some restrictions apply for patients without insurance) X-rays and other imaging studies will continue to be ordered through hospitals or other private facilities, which will bill your insurance directly. Prescriptions can still be written. Medication charges are billed to insurance by the pharmacy itself.
 
Can I use my HSA to pay for the membership fee?
The IRS has not made clear how direct primary care medical fees fit into the Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Savings Account (FSA) payment model. Many patients elect to pay DPC fees via their tax sheltered HSA or FSA account, which adds to their overall savings.
 
Why are you making this change?
We are looking for greater freedom in how we practice and have been dissatisfied with the current insurance pay for service model. Time spent working with insurance companies can now be time spent focusing on patients. Also, we are naturopathic physicians and enjoy the benefit of being able to provide our expert knowledge in the areas of herbal medicine, homeopathy, and nutrition. Under private insurance plans, many of these therapies are deemed “investigational” and are not covered services. To continue to have contracts with insurance, we would no longer be able to utilize these therapies with our patients.
 
What should I do with my current insurance plan?
DPC is not an insurance plan. You definitely need to have an Affordable Care Act certified insurance plan in place just in case there is a medical emergency. Financially, DPC is best paired with a catastrophic health care plan or a low-cost medical sharing plan such as Liberty Direct or a Christian Healthcare Ministries option. SNFW is not promoting any of these options, just trying to make people aware that they do exist.
 
What if I want to continue to receive services at SNFW but don’t want to do DPC?
Until providers end contracts with insurance plans, we will continue to bill your insurance for services. After the DPC start dates, we have an ala Carte menu for cash paying clients:
First Office Visit = 90 minutes = $200.00
Return Office Visit = 45-60 minutes = $75.00
Urgent/Acute office visit = 15 minutes = $35.00
Physical Exam Adult (19 and >): $125.00
Well Child Exam (0-18): $75.00
Financial Hardship Plan fees will remain unchanged: FOV = $100  ROV = $50 for qualified individuals.
 
Labwork will continue to be a free service if you have insurance with a draw fee of $10.00. For those without insurance, lab fees will be on average, less than 100% below hospital fees.
 
When can I sign up?
Starting in January, Dr. Robens will be available as a DPC provider.  Dr. Devoe will be available in March, and Dr. Tuttle; March 20th for those with MVP/Cigna and June 20th for those with BCBS.  Once you sign up, your contracted year begins and you can begin enjoying some of these amazing benefits.


Please give us a call or shoot us an email with your questions as we make this big transition! We are here to support you. Change is difficult. Let us know how we can help you make this as smooth as possible.

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In Other News:

1. Jamie McKenzie, certified massage therapist will begin sharing our space in January! Jamie will be seeing clients at the SNFW office on Thursdays and Fridays.
To launch her new practice she has offered an amazing promotional deal!
60 min Fusion massage: $35.00(Normally $70!!)
90 min Fusion massage: $45.00 (Normally $90!!)
Rules and Restrictions: ~Offer Running from Dec 22nd-Feb 1st
**Clients must book their appt within the 12/22-2/1 date range.
~Limited one promo per person
Contact her directly to schedule: Call (802) 224-6992
​or visit her website: www.shenwillowwellness.com

2. Our practice surveys have gone out successfully as we have received some clarification questions about it. We look forward to a culminated report on how we are doing as a medical practice for you and where we can improve. Thank you for taking the time to participate!

3. If you are in the area, stop by to enter our end of the year raffle to win a tub of protein medical food from Metagenics! Smoothies are a wonderful, quick way to get a bunch of nutrients and some protein to start your day out on the right foot.

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“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.” ― Dr. Seuss

Love to you!
​And Happy, Happy Holidays!!

SNFW staff and practitioners