Do I have to be healthy or have health insurance to become a patient in the Membership Program?

No. Anyone can become a Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program patient. We do not pre-screen or deny patients because of their age, race, religion, national origin, health condition including the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, sexual orientation, education, economic status, employment status or citizenship.

Is there a long-term contract?

Yes. The Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program has a minimum 6 month expected commitment.

May I cancel my membership at any time?

Yes. You are free to terminate your patient agreement at any time after 6 months of membership and for any reason. Termination will begin 30 days after receipt of your cancellation request. You must submit your cancellation request in writing in order to fully cancel your membership and stop your billing cycle. When writing the letter, please include your full name, date of birth, reason for termination and date you would like termination to begin. Upon confirmation of your membership termination, we will close your billing account, prorate the balance of your monthly care fee and credit your account within ten (10) business days. If you are transferring your care to another physician, your medical records will be forwarded upon request. Of course, if you are ever dissatisfied with your care, please let us know so that we can address your concerns; quality of care and patient satisfaction are our highest priorities.

If I cancel my membership, can I re-register at a later time?

Yes. Should you cancel your membership but decide to rejoin at a later date, you will pay a $100 re-enrollment fee. Because we limit the number of patients at our practices, we cannot guarantee that there will be room if you wish to re-join at a later date.

Can I add family members to my billing account?

Yes. Spouses, domestic partners, children, parents of enrolled children and other family members can be added to or removed from your billing account at any time. Each patient will have his or her individual medical record and may request to have their care provided by a different health care provider if they wish.

Can I register my child but not be a patient myself?

Yes. As a parent, you may register your child (or children) without being a patient yourself.

Can I get a discount on my monthly fee if I don’t use all the Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership services or seek care infrequently?

No. Like a health club membership, Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program care and services are at your disposal whenever you need, even at times that you cannot predict.

If I become seriously ill, will my monthly care fee increase?

No. Your monthly care fee schedule will not change based on changes in your health condition or the number of times you see your health care provider. Your monthly care fee schedule will change, however, as part of a general fee schedule change. You will be given at least sixty (60) days notice of such changes and your monthly fee schedule will not change more than once a year.

What happens if I miss a monthly payment?

We ask that you make every effort to pay your monthly care fees on time so we are able to provide our services at affordable prices. If you are paying by automatic funds transfer, a $25 fee will be incurred for non-sufficient funds.  If your credit card is rejected, we will notify you and you will have 10 days to rectify with a new card number or you will asked to leave the practice.

Can I choose my own Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician?

Absolutely. Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine is your medical home and we want you to feel your most comfortable with your clinician. We encourage you to visit the Providers page of our website to learn more about our providers. We are happy to schedule a 15 minute in-person or phone meet-and-greet with the clinician of your choice.

What if the clinician I want to see is not accepting new patients?

To provide unhurried care of the highest quality, we limit the number of patients assigned to each health care clinician. If your preferred clinician’s practice is closed, you may choose another provider and may ask to be placed on a waiting list should space become available.

How often can I see my Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician?

As often as you’d like. We feel strongly that early attention to your medical needs will make you healthier and reduce your long-term need for medical care.

May I change clinicians?

Yes. You may switch Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinicians at any time providing your new clinician’s practice is open.

How do I make an appointment?

When you register to become a new patient, you will schedule your New Patient appointment through our online appointment scheduler. You can access this website through our website. Use this scheduler to schedule your new patient and follow-up visits. The Front Desk is happy to make your appointment as you leave each visit as well. For urgent care we will schedule you as quickly as possible. Please schedule a Same-Day appointment through the online scheduler or call us at 360-464-9965 and follow the prompts for urgent visits. Unless we are out of the office, we will see you within 24 hours, Monday through Friday.

Do I need to have an appointment to be seen?

Yes. We ask that you schedule an appointment before you come in for doing so will allow us to provide better care and service for all our patients. If you have an urgent need, we will make every effort to accommodate you as quickly as possible.

If I make an appointment will I see my own Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician?

Your personal clinician will be the first choice when scheduling your visit. However, your clinician may not always be available. If you need to be seen immediately and your regular clinician is unavailable, we will schedule you with one of our other providers who will follow-up with your clinician about your care.

How do I contact my Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician?

You may email or schedule a visit with your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician. If he/she is unavailable or if you have an urgent need, you may ask to speak with another available clinician. For urgent matters we ask that you call your clinic so that you receive care as quickly as possible.  You will be directed through the phone tree to your appropriate provider (after hours).

What if I have an emergency?

If you have a life-threatening medical emergency, please call 911 immediately. For urgent, non-life threatening medical problems you may call our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with the clinician on call. If you need to be seen during office hours, we will see you as quickly as possible. If your clinician determines that you need emergency care, you will be referred to the nearest emergency room. Before you arrive, we notify the emergency room of your arrival and provide them with pertinent medical information. Your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician will also consult with the emergency room physician after your evaluation to discuss and coordinate your after-care.

Please Note – Your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program monthly care fee does not cover ambulance, emergency room or other hospital services. If you have insurance, we encourage you to check with your carrier to determine your emergency room coverage. If you are uninsured, we encourage you to explore payment options with the hospital’s financial services coordinator as many hospitals offer charity care and payment plans.

What if I need to be admitted to the hospital?

If you require hospitalization, your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician will refer you to a Hospitalist (Physician who specializes in hospital medicine) in one of the local hospitals. Your provider will coordinate care with the Hospitalist.

What if I have to see a specialist?

When your medical needs extend beyond the scope of primary care, we will refer you to an appropriate specialist. We will provide that specialist with relevant portions of your medical record needed to optimize your care. When his or her evaluation is complete, your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician will coordinate your follow-up care. Please note that your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program monthly care fee does not cover outside specialty care. If you have insurance, we encourage you to check with your insurance carrier to ensure your specialist will be covered by your policy.

Are prescription medications, supplements, diagnostic imaging (x-rays, etc) or laboratory tests included in the monthly fee?

No. Though your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program clinician can write a prescription for any of your medications, the cost of these prescriptions is not included in your monthly fee.  Laboratory fees are not included in your monthly fee, however, discounted cash pay programs are available.

Does Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program offer maternity care?

No. Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program providers do not offer maternity care. We are happy to help you in the decision making for what type of birth you wish to have. In-hospital newborn exams may be provided by a pediatrician at your hospital. Post-hospital, you may register your new child as a Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program member as long as there is space available.

Can I still see my gynecologist?

Yes. Being a Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program patient does not preclude you from seeing any other clinician of your choice whenever you wish. As with all outside services, you are responsible for the costs of such care. You may find, however, that many of your gynecological needs can be met by your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program health care clinician including periodic well-woman exams and care of common gynecological and women’s health conditions. Please note that at this time, Dr. Hirsch does not offer gynecological exams except for diagnostic purposes.

May I access my medical record?

Yes. As per our Patient Privacy Policy, you may access your medical record and receive a copy of your record for review at anytime. For more information, please refer to our Patient Handbook and the Patient Privacy page.

Is the Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program health insurance?

No. We work directly for our patients to provide direct primary care. Your monthly care fee only pays only for the primary and preventive care services described in our Patient Services Guide.

Will you bill my insurance plan for your services?

No. The Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program does not bill any insurance carrier for our services. Your insurance plan may be billed by others for services such as emergency, hospital, specialty care, laboratory tests, diagnostic imaging, prescription drugs or other goods and services that are ordered by your Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program health care provider but are not performed or provided in our offices.

Are my visits to non-Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program health care providers covered by my monthly care fee?

No. Because we are not an insurance company, your monthly care fees do not include or cover any goods or services you receive outside of our clinics.

Will my insurance reimburse my Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program monthly care fee?

No. Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program monthly care fees are not reimbursable by any health insurance company, nor are they reimbursable by Medicare or Medicaid. If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA), however, your monthly care fees may be eligible for reimbursement. Please check with your plan administrator.

Can Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program monthly care fees be applied to my insurance deductible?

No. Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program monthly care fees may not be applied to any insurance plan deductible. Only an insurance carrier can determine which expenses are counted against their plan’s deductibles.

If I am in a managed care plan, may I join the Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program too?

Yes. Your monthly fee provides you with Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program primary care regardless of your insurance or managed care plan. However, your managed care company or your health maintenance organization (HMO) may refuse to pay for any goods or services that are not ordered by one of their providers. Please check with your insurance or managed care provider plan before becoming a Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program patient.

Can I become a patient if I am covered by Medicare or Medicaid?

No.  Since we are still contracted with Medicare or Medicaid, we are not able to collect any payment from you, the patient, for any services already covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

Should I also have medical insurance for serious illness or injury?

Yes. Because the Hirsch Holistic Family Medicine Membership Program is not an insurance policy, we encourage those who can afford traditional health insurance to purchase it to protect yourself from large, unanticipated costs associated with serious illnesses or accident. We refer our patients to the Washington Health Insurance Agency for help finding the right plan to cover major medical expenses.  Call 360-464-1622 or visit www.wahealthagency.com for more information. Aflac insurance policies may also be helpful.

How do I request a prescription refill?

Please contact your pharmacy and request a refill. They will then fax our office and we will sign the fax and return it. Please allow 7 days for this process to occur.