PR Family Medicine Annual Administrative Fee
We at PR Family Medicine have been committed to the health and well-being of the families of this community for more than 15 years. We have long believed that remaining independent and not owned by a healthcare corporation or hospital system allows us to create a more holistic and patient-centered health care experience.
Healthcare providers and patients both have been impacted by the changing and challenging landscape of healthcare over the past several years. Our practice has made every effort to be nimble and flexible as we meet these challenges with you. However, we see the rising costs of health care delivery and the constraints imposed by insurance companies threatening the ongoing viability of independent medical practices like ours. These realities are confronted in different ways, with some practices deciding to sell to and become part of a hospital system or large corporation to leverage the administrative costs. This often comes with scheduling and productivity mandates, and policies and procedures that we believe shift the focus toward efficiency at the expense of quality of care.
With that being said, and after much consideration, we have decided to implement a required administrative fee of $100 per person per year for all individuals ages 19 through 79 years old. This fee is not for a service covered by insurance or otherwise reimbursable by insurance and will be due at the time of the first visit (in person or virtual) or engagement with any of our practitioners each calendar year. This policy will go into effect January 1, 2025. In addition to allowing PR Family Medicine to remain personalized and independent, the administrative fee will provide you with benefits that are not covered by insurance, including the following:
On-site laboratory
No charge for completing forms and letters
Reserved same day sick appointments for established patients
Assistance with prior authorizations
Referral coordination
Preoperative coordination
Expedited / timely medication electronic refills
Telemedicine visits (for select conditions and at provider discretion)
We are grateful for the continued support of our Damascus and surrounding community clientele.
Annual Administrative Fee FAQ’s
Effective 1/1/2025, PR Family Medicine will require all patients 19 though 79 years of age to pay an administrative fee annually to continue as, or to become, a patient of the practice.
- What is the annual fee?
*The annual fee is $100 for all individuals 19 through 79 years of age per calendar year.
- Do you still take private insurance and Medicare?
*Yes, we will continue to take Medicare and most private insurances.
- Is this fee mandatory?
*Yes, this fee is required to continue as, or to become, a patient of our practice.
- Will my private insurance or Medicare reimburse the annual fee?
*No, this fee is not covered by your insurance or Medicare. It will not be billed to your insurer.
- What are my payment options for the annual fee?
*You may pay at the time of your visit.
- Can I use my flexible medical spending account to pay this fee?
*You are advised to consult with your FSA or HSA plan administrator, employer or HR representative to clarify qualification in your particular circumstance. If needed, you may request a payment receipt for the fee.
- When is the fee due?
*The fee is due in full each calendar year at the time of the first engagement/visit with any one of the providers, whether virtual or in person.
- Is any portion of the administrative fee refundable? For example, if I transfer to another practice or move away, will I receive a partial refund?
*No, the administrative fee is not refundable in part or full once it is paid for the calendar year.
- If I see a provider in November for my first visit of the year and pay my administrative fee, and then have a follow-up in February, is my fee due again at that appointment?
Yes, because February is the first visit in the new calendar year.
- Will I continue to be required to pay my co-pay/co-insurance? Will the annual fee count toward my deductible?
*Co-pays/co-insurance and deductibles will continue to be required and are unrelated and unaffected by the annual fee.