Most frequent questions and answers
No. The annual fee for a membership in an eCare affiliated practice pays for services not typically covered by your insurance and is not reimbursable by insurance.
An eCare affiliated primary care practice accepts insurance (your physician can tell you whether they accept your specific insurance plan). Your eCare affiliated physician will continue to bill your insurance and charge copays, co-insurances and deductibles as he or she currently does for medical services like sick visits.
Yes. Most eCare affiliated practices accept Medicare. Your doctor can discuss the coverage his or her practice accepts.
Doctors affiliate with eCare because they want to provide the best possible care and practice medicine in the most complete and thorough manner possible. The extra time they spend with patients allows them to know each patient as a person, to make prevention at least as important as treatment; to understand all the factors affecting their patients’ health and illness and to help patients achieve the highest quality of life and health.
Unfortunately, each aspect of medicine has created more administrative burden. Electronic medical records take time away from each patient visit. To avoid this, many physicians choose to work for hospitals and large medical institutions but that often makes them give up their emotional investment in each patient. Large medical groups even some concierge groups place restrictions on physicians that get in the way of patient care. To make a living the average doctor has to see more patients each day, giving them less and less time for high quality, personal and considerate care.
eCare-affiliated physicians take the time necessary and consistently do their best to provide the highest level of care possible. You can be certain that your eCare physician’s primary concern is your health and well-being.
Most hospitals expect a full-time Hospitalist to be the primary attending physician for patients in hospital. eCare affiliated physicians prefer to stay involved with their patients even when in hospital. They may check on patients in the hospital by phone, text, email and discussions with relatives. They want to support patients during their hospitalization and always want to follow up. Remember, your physician may not automatically know that you are in the hospital or when you are discharged so please try to inform the office and ask for any assistance or support needed.
Possibly. After you have received your annual wellness services, the yearly fee may be reimbursed by flexible spending accounts (FSAs), medical savings accounts (MSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), and health savings accounts (HSAs). If requested, your physician will provide you with a statement of services to present to your administrator as reimbursement may be sought through the FSA claim submission process. Please note that the fee cannot be paid using an FSA debit or credit card. Check with your HSA or FSA administrator to determine their reimbursement policy for eCare membership fees.
No. In most cases, the annual fee may be paid quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and you may use a major credit card or check. You can also set up convenient automatic payments through a checking or savings account electronic debit option.
For patients who itemize medical expenses on their tax returns, the annual fee may be deductible. Check with your tax advisor if you have specific questions.
You may be eligible to receive a prorated refund. eCare believes you will be very satisfied with your eCare affiliated physician, the eCare benefits and Enhanced Care Services as well as your overall healthcare experience.
Yes. There is a reduced fee for the 2nd adult member (or spouse) of each family. Some eCare-affiliated physicians provide care to children of certain ages. In that case there may be reduced fee depending on age and other factors. This may vary, so please check with your eCare affiliated doctor. Also note that standard fees, insurance co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles may apply.
Some eCare affiliated physicians may occasionally provide care for your out of town guests for acute illnesses while visiting when appropriate and possible but may not provide ongoing care for non members of eCare. As this may vary, please check with your eCare affiliated physician. Fees, insurance co pays, coinsurance or deductibles may apply.
Many eCare affiliated physicians provide care and respond to patient phone calls emails and text messages when they are away. In cases where your physician may not be available, arrangements will be made for physician coverage.
No. Your doctor and his or her staff are independent from eCare and are not eCare agents or employees. Your doctor runs his or her practice, and eCare does not own your physician’s practice. eCare may provide support and services that may assist eCare affiliated physicians’ practices.
No. Your doctor solely directs and provides your medical care. eCare is not involved in any medical decisions.
No. This is entirely up to you and your physician, and eCare does not limit you in any way. In fact, eCare has no involvement in making referrals. You will continue to see any specialists or other providers as you did before being part of an eCare affiliated practice, and you may seek care at any hospital or with any specialist.eCare affiliated physicians often have relationships with many of the leading specialists in most fields of medicine.
The annual fee for eCare affiliated practices range from $1300 to $1600. It varies based on locale. Patients can typically pay the fee quarterly, semi annually and annually. The annual fee pays for membership in eCare. Your eCare affiliated physician has contracted with eCare to provide ongoing care ONLY to eCare members with the practice requirements and practice limitations necessary to ensure consistently high quality, considerate care services constituting and including eCare Enhanced Care Services which are generally not covered by insurers or Medicare.
