Is Direct Primary Care insurance?
No. A Direct Primary Care membership is a different way to pay for comprehensive primary care services and allows for relaxed extended visits in a relationship-based practice rather than a production-based practice. 75% of healthcare is routine primary care that can be covered by a physician such as Dr. Glover, a board certified specialist in family medicine. She tries to pack as much value into your membership as possible. Please reference the included services on the Direct Primary Care Services page.
Now you can afford to meet and talk to your family doc about wellness topics whenever you want to, about prevention, about chronic conditions, about how you are feeling, about weight loss, about sickness, etc. AND, if you happen to need a minor procedure from Dr. Glover such as a mole removal, joint injection, pap smear, IUD insertion, EKG or stitches, those kinds of procedures fees are included in your plan. Because we don't take insurance for our included services, Direct Primary Care clinics have much lower staffing and overhead. Those savings are passed on directly to our patients.
Patients in Direct Primary Care clinics often see their physician six times the first year for wellness and sick care (mostly wellness care) because they are no longer constrained by a system that is expensive, inaccessible, and dictated by a third party. In Direct Primary Care, you are the customer, not your insurance company.
Now you can afford to meet and talk to your family doc about wellness topics whenever you want to, about prevention, about chronic conditions, about how you are feeling, about weight loss, about sickness, etc. AND, if you happen to need a minor procedure from Dr. Glover such as a mole removal, joint injection, pap smear, IUD insertion, EKG or stitches, those kinds of procedures fees are included in your plan. Because we don't take insurance for our included services, Direct Primary Care clinics have much lower staffing and overhead. Those savings are passed on directly to our patients.
Patients in Direct Primary Care clinics often see their physician six times the first year for wellness and sick care (mostly wellness care) because they are no longer constrained by a system that is expensive, inaccessible, and dictated by a third party. In Direct Primary Care, you are the customer, not your insurance company.
Should I also carry high deductible or catastrophic insurance?
Dr. Glover does recommend having at least high deductible insurance or a health share for costly catastrophic events like hospitalizations, ER visits, operations, cancer, and heart attacks. 25% of healthcare fits into that category. In Dr. Glover's opinion, that is what insurance is for. In her opinion, insurance should NOT be used for primary care. Wellness care, sick care, and minor procedures like stitches become surprisingly inexpensive and simple (for both the patient and the doctor) when insurance is taken out of the equation. 75% of healthcare fits into the category of primary care and can be covered by a physician like Dr. Glover under a Direct Primary Care (DPC) plan where you will save 50-95% on most services.
Does Glover Family Medicine (GFM) see uninsured individuals?
Absolutely. Although Dr. Glover recommends that everyone have at least high deductible insurance OR health cost-sharing coverage, GFM does not turn anyone away due to lack of insurance. GFM does its best to make comprehensive primary care affordable for those with OR without insurance. GFM will pack as much value into your membership as possible, our Direct Primary Care memberships include as many services as possible in your plan and get you discounts on labs, imaging studies, and some medications ranging from 50-95% off usual prices.
I have great insurance that i want to use. Will I be able to use my insurance for things that my Glover Family Medicine (GFM) physician orders on my behalf?
Yes. We can use the majority of insurance plans** to cover services that we order on your behalf, such as medications, labs, radiology studies and specialty referrals. For those who do not have great insurance, Dr. Glover has negotiated amazing discount rates on labs, many medications and most imaging studies, often up to 50-95% off usual prices. The availability of eConsults with specialists is also an included service with your membership. Dr. Glover does not take insurance for GFM's services such as office visits, wellness visits, sick visits, in-office procedures, phone visits, virtual visits, or after hours texts/calls. These services are all covered in the very affordable monthly membership plan. The reason GFM is able to be so affordable and allow for unlimited extended visits is because we don't take insurance.
**Note: There are a few HMO type plans (e.g. Tricare Prime, some Kaiser plans, and other plans with "HMO" in the plan title). HMO's usually require you to keep a primary care physician within their own network. GFM is not in any HMO networks. Such HMO patients can be seen at GFM through the membership plan and have access to all the Direct Primary Care services as listed, but they would still need to maintain a primary care physician within their own network for specialty referrals, etc. HMO's tend to only accept referrals from within their network.
**Note: There are a few HMO type plans (e.g. Tricare Prime, some Kaiser plans, and other plans with "HMO" in the plan title). HMO's usually require you to keep a primary care physician within their own network. GFM is not in any HMO networks. Such HMO patients can be seen at GFM through the membership plan and have access to all the Direct Primary Care services as listed, but they would still need to maintain a primary care physician within their own network for specialty referrals, etc. HMO's tend to only accept referrals from within their network.
I can't afford even high deductible insurance. Are there other options for me?
Being a member of a health sharing community is a great pairing with Direct Primary Care (DPC) for some individuals, families or for portions of some families. The Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership provides comprehensive primary care and the health share community helps cover large medical needs such as costly specialty care or catastrophic needs. Monthly health share contributions are usually significantly less than monthly health insurance premiums. In fact, the monthly Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership fee PLUS the monthly health share contribution added together are usually significantly less than monthly health insurance premiums. Members of health shares commit to living a healthy lifestyle. Some health shares such as Sedera or Zion Health do not require acceptance of a shared statement of religious beliefs. Sedera has options for individuals/families AND for employers as do some other health shares. Here is a link to a Sedera Membership Summary for individuals/families and one for employees Members of other health shares may accept a basic statement of shared religious or moral beliefs. Liberty HealthShare is one example of a health sharing ministry and will also reimburse you for some of your DPC membership (if you fill out their "DPC Reimbursement Request" form). In that way, Liberty HealthShare is incentivizing its members to stay healthy by having a relationship with a primary care physician. If this less expensive health sharing sounds right for you and your family, some other Christian health shares include: Medi-Share, Samaritan, and Christian Healthcare Ministries. United Refuah is a Jewish health share option.
How can physicians at Glover Family Medicine (GFM) spend so much time with patients?
Dr. Glover plans to keep GFM patient panels to less than one-quarter to one-third the number that a family physician who is employed by a hospital-owned clinic is expected to cover. GFM's patients will always have great access. The average panel size for primary care physicians in the U.S. is 2300 patients. GFM plans to keep panels to less than one-quarter of that.
Is glover family medicine taking new patients?
Yes
WHAT IS "IDEAL MEDICAL CARE"?
You will find "Ideal Medical Care" at Glover Family Medicine (GFM). The Ideal Medical Care movement is championed by Dr. Pamela Wible MD. What does that mean? It means that this clinic and it's processes are community-driven and based on what people want -- more time, less paperwork, and a comfortable atmosphere. You will not find "assembly line medicine" here! Both before and after she opened, Dr. Glover asked and continues to ask members of her community what they would want in their ideal medical clinic. Special thanks to the Palmer Ridge High School spring 2017, 2018 and 2019 "Physiology of Disease" classes for all of their great input in helping Dr. Glover create an ideal medical practice for GFM's patients and physicians.
Does Glover Family Medicine (GFM) offer advanced cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening tools or an executive physical?
For an extra fee, we can order Carotid Intima-Media Thickness "CIMT" ultrasound testing ($125) and Cleveland HeartLab CardioIQ advanced lipid testing with or without inflammation markers (approx $110-160). This testing can be ordered once or at recommended intervals that are individualized for your risk factors. GFM generally offers this testing to patients who are aged 40 and up. This testing can be used both for initial risk stratification and for monitoring of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. In appropriate individuals, coronary CT for calcium scoring (HeartScreen) can also be ordered when needed. CIMT and Calcium Scoring (HeartScreen) are not indicated for all individuals.
is direct primary care recognized by the affordable care act (ACA)?
The ACA always recognized Direct Primary Care (DPC). Luckily there is no more tax penalty for ANYONE since 2019!
Can I use my hsa or HRA to pay for my direct primary care membership?
You will need to discuss the interpretation of Section 223(c) and Section 213(d) of the Internal Revenue Code with an accountant. Section 223(c) of the law has to do with health plans and Section 213(d) of the law has to do with qualified medical expenses.
Do you provide routine pediatric and adult immunizations in your clinic?
We carry the immunizations recommended for children ages 7-18. Immunizations are the one thing inside of our clinic that can be billed to your insurance. For children ages 0-6, we will arrange these for you through the El Paso County Public Health department. Local retail pharmacies are also an option for children starting at 7-10 years old (age depends on the pharmacy) and continuing through adulthood. Your county's Public Health department is an option for individuals from birth through adulthood. The El Paso County Public Health department is located at 1675 W Garden of the Gods Rd in Colorado Springs. Their immunization department can be reached by calling (719) 578-3199 and selecting option 5. The health department accepts insurance and also accepts government program coverage such as Medicaid and Medicare. If insurance will not cover the cost of your vaccinations, the health department can also discuss highly discounted or waived vaccination costs. Local retail pharmacies accept many insurances and Medicare as well.
What is the minimum membership and is there a penalty for cancellation?
The minimum membership is one full month. We think you will love this model! However, if it is not for you, then you may dis-enroll at any time after that without penalty.
I would like to enroll my children without an adult. what would their membership fees be?
For children signed up WITH at least one full-paying, adult family member, the membership fee is $25 per month per child. For children signed up WITHOUT an adult family member, the first child's membership fee would be equivalent to the young adult rate of $75 per month and the membership fee for all other children in the family would be $25 per month.
What are examples of services performed and conditions treated at Glover Family Medicine (GFM)?
Examples of Comprehensive Primary Care Services Performed: Wellness care, sick care, gynecology services, pediatric care to include care of infants, children, and adolescents, women's health, men's health, minor procedures, mental health, sports medicine, birth control services, chronic disease management, acute care, injury care.
Examples of Conditions Evaluated/Treated/Managed: Acne, Abdominal pain, Allergies, Anemia, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Atypical Moles, Need for Birth Control, Cancer screening, Depression, Diabetes, Ear infections, Emphysema, Erectile Dysfunction, Flu, Fractures (broken bones), Head and Chest Colds, Headaches, Heart Disease, Heel pain, High Cholesterol, Hypertension, HIV, Infectious Diseases, Injuries, IUD's, Joint Pain, Menopausal Transition Symptoms, Obesity and Unhealthy Weight (weight management), Pink Eye, Pneumonia, Rashes, Rectal Disorders, Sexual Health, Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections (STDs/STIs), Skin Infections, Smoking Cessation, Sore Throats, Sports/Camp Clearances, Sprains/Strains, Thyroid Disorders, Vaginitis, , Wellness Exams/Physical Exams.
Examples of Conditions Evaluated/Treated/Managed: Acne, Abdominal pain, Allergies, Anemia, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Atypical Moles, Need for Birth Control, Cancer screening, Depression, Diabetes, Ear infections, Emphysema, Erectile Dysfunction, Flu, Fractures (broken bones), Head and Chest Colds, Headaches, Heart Disease, Heel pain, High Cholesterol, Hypertension, HIV, Infectious Diseases, Injuries, IUD's, Joint Pain, Menopausal Transition Symptoms, Obesity and Unhealthy Weight (weight management), Pink Eye, Pneumonia, Rashes, Rectal Disorders, Sexual Health, Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections (STDs/STIs), Skin Infections, Smoking Cessation, Sore Throats, Sports/Camp Clearances, Sprains/Strains, Thyroid Disorders, Vaginitis, , Wellness Exams/Physical Exams.
What are examples of procedures performed at Glover Family Medicine (GFM)?
Examples of Procedures performed: Incision and Drainage of an Abscess (aka "boil"), Destruction of Precancerous Skin Lesions (Cryotherapy), Electrocardiograms (EKGs), Implantable Birth Control (Nexplanon) Insertion and Removal, Intrauterine Device (IUD) Placement and Removal, Joint Injections (e.g. Shoulder, Knee), Mole Removals, Skin Biopsies, Suturing (aka "Stitches"), Urinalysis, Wart Removal, Rapid strep testing, Rapid flu testing, Vaginitis Testing, Spirometry
Which lab does Glover Family Medicine (GFM) use?
We use LabCorp for our blood draws most of the time and Quest Diagnostics some of the time. Quest has seven draw sites around Colorado Springs and surrounding communities. LabCorp also has several draw sites nearby. The closest draw site to Monument CO is the LabCorp located on the third floor inside of the Tri-lakes YMCA on Jackson Creek Parkway in Monument. We get our very best prices through our special quotes from LabCorp and Quest. If you have another lab that you prefer, we are happy to send your lab order to any lab company that you choose. Quest and LabCorp also do pick-ups at our location when we need to send out things like throat cultures, urine cultures, wound cultures, etc. Our pathology (ex: mole removal specimens) and cytology (ex: pap smear vials) are usually sent out to Colorado Springs Pathology and we have negotiated excellent prices there as well.
are the physicians and staff at glover family medicine comfortable caring for lgbtq individuals and couples?
Absolutely!
What are these health cooperatives and concierge practices that people keep talking about on radio and tv shows?
Sean Hannity is one who is always talking about Direct Primary Care (DPC). DPC is the payment and care model at Glover Family Medicine. It is a NON-PARTISAN concept embraced by the left, the right, moderates and the non-political as and innovative and affordable model. Sean Hannity has interviewed Dr. Josh Umbehr several times about the DPC model between 2012 and the present. Dr. Umbehr founded Atlas MD, a Direct Primary Care clinic in Wichita, KS.
Which birth control methods can be prescribed and/or inserted/removed at Glover Family MEdicine (GFM)?
GFM physicians are comfortable prescribing birth control pills, Depo-Provera shots, inserting Mirena IUDs, Kyleena IUDs, Skyla IUDs, non-hormonal Paragard IUDs, and Nexplanon birth control implants. Dr. Glover performed vasectomies for most of her career from 1999-2012, but is not yet offering vasectomy at Glover Family Medicine.
how is it possible to be so affordable?
Though Glover Family Medicine (GFM) is happy to use your insurance on your behalf for outside services, we don't use insurance to cover our physician services. This allows GFM to keep a much smaller staff. A smaller staff means significantly reduced overhead and savings that are passed directly to you. Because we doesn't take insurance, we are not constrained by any insurance company's rules about how many issues we address in one visit, about the types of issues we are allowed to address at one visit, about the time a visit "should" take, or about how many visits it will take to help you be well, focus on prevention, manage chronic conditions, or take care of your acute illnesses and injuries.
Does Glover Family Medicine (GFM) take medicare?
Dr. Glover is enrolled only as an Ordering, Certifying, and Referring physician with Medicare. She otherwise chose to "opt-out" of Medicare and she "deactivated" her own ability to bill Medicare. She does not want any reimbursement from the government. Being an Ordering, Certifying and Referring physician means that you the patient CAN use your Medicare benefit for outside services ordered by Dr. Glover such as for medication orders, lab orders, imaging orders and referral/consultation orders that she places for you. However, Dr. Glover does not accept Medicare for the month-to-month membership which covers physician services within her own practice. Medicare beneficiaries who sign up for Direct Primary Care in Dr. Glover's practice much formally agree that they will not submit the invoice for the month-to-month membership fee to Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries will be asked to sign the Medicare Beneficiary Notice of Non-Covered Services that can be previewed here in addition to the DPC Patient Agreement here.