Question 1

What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

Accepted Answer

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is changing how we experience healthcare. It's a fresh approach that pushes back against "assembly-line medicine" and puts the doctor-patient relationship first.
Instead of the usual fee-for-service model with its unpredictable copays and charges, DPC uses a membership model with completely transparent pricing. This means for a flat, monthly fee, you get:
Direct access to your doctor: No middlemen or insurance hurdles.
Unhurried, thorough, and personalized primary care.
It's all about making healthcare simpler, more personal, and focused on you.

Question 2

Is DPC a form of insurance?

Accepted Answer

No, it is not a form of insurance. 
While Valley Ridge Direct Primary Care aims to cover the vast majority of your primary care needs, your membership DOES NOT replace health insurance.
We strongly recommend that all our members maintain active health insurance. This coverage will be essential for services not offered by our practice, such as:
Appointments with specialists
Lab testing and medications
Urgent care or emergency room visits
Hospitalizations

Question 3

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

No, we don't. We operate independently of all private and public health insurance plans.
This is a core part of what makes Direct Primary Care work so well! By not billing insurance, we can offer you:
Affordable, transparent pricing
More time with your doctor
Direct, unhurried care
What about my insurance?
You can absolutely still use your health insurance for services outside of our practice, like:
Visits to other medical facilities
Specialist appointments
Labs and imaging
Prescription medications
ER visits and hospitalizations

Question 4

Do you make referrals to other specialists?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Coordinating care with specialists and acting as your healthcare "quarterback" are essential aspects of the high-quality primary care we provide.

Question 5

Why a monthly membership fee?

Accepted Answer

Our membership model offers benefits for everyone, making healthcare simpler and more effective:
For Our Practice: We spend less time documenting just to satisfy insurance requirements so we can spend more time with each patient and advocating for you when it is needed. 
For Our Patients: You get predictable, transparent monthly pricing, a welcome relief from confusing copays and unexpected charges; direct access to your doctor without middlemen or call centers; appointment availability when it matters. 
Essentially, we can deliver high-quality, patient-focused care without the traditional healthcare hassles.

Question 6

What other fees can I expect?

Accepted Answer

Very few, if any at all!
Your monthly membership fee at Valley Ridge Direct Primary Care covers almost everything we do here, including:
Preventive care
Acute care
In-office procedures
There are no copays and no per-visit charges for our members.
The only exceptions are rare, nominal fees for select in-office procedures. These are simply to cover the cost of special materials or pathology. Rest assured, any such charges would always be discussed with you upfront so there are no surprises.

Question 7

Is there a long term commitment?

Accepted Answer

No, there isn't.
While we love building lasting relationships and caring for our patients and their families long-term—that's the heart of Family Medicine—we understand that life changes.
We simply ask for 30 days' notice if you need to cancel your membership. This gives us enough time to help you transition smoothly and ensure your healthcare needs are covered as you find a new practice.

Question 8

Is Direct Primary Care (DPC) the same as Concierge Medicine?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly. DPC and Concierge Medicine offer similar benefits like increased access to your physician, longer visits, and smaller patient panels, there's a key financial difference:
Concierge Medicine: Typically bills your insurance for each visit, plus charges you an additional, often expensive, annual "retainer" fee (which can range from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars) just for access.
Direct Primary Care (DPC): Does not bill insurance. Instead, you pay an affordable monthly membership fee directly to your doctor's office. This fee covers comprehensive primary care services and direct access to your physician.
By cutting out insurance complexities, DPC significantly reduces costs and barriers to care for your doctor, allowing us to put the focus back where it belongs: on your relationship with your doctor.

Question 9

Is there anything you don't treat?

Accepted Answer

Certain diagnoses or symptoms may require help from a specialist or higher level of care that we cannot provide. If you have a rare or complex condition, contact Dr. Adamchak to see if we are a good fit.

We do not manage long term opioid pain medications or benzodiazepines. If you are prescribed these medications, we will collaborate with your pain management and/or behavioral health care team.

Question 10

Can I use my HSA account to pay my membership fee?

Accepted Answer

Provisions in HR1 which goes into effect January 1, 2026 and includes the Primary Care Enhancement Act, state that individuals may use $150 per month of HSA funds towards a DPC membership and up to $300 per month of HSA funds towards a family membership with a DPC Practice. This makes DPC a great complement to any health insurance but especially a high deductible plan. Please confirm with your individual insurance and HSA plan regarding any other provisions or limitations with your specific insurance plan.

Question 11

Do you accept Medicare?

Accepted Answer

No, we do not. As a Direct Primary Care clinic, we do not bill or contract with Medicare. Federal law prevents DPC providers from treating Medicare beneficiaries unless the patient and the provider sign a private contract stating that neither party will bill Medicare for services. This means you would pay our monthly membership fee and not submit any claims to Medicare for the primary care services you receive from us. You could, of course, still use your Medicare benefits for all other medical services, such as lab tests, specialist visits, or hospital care. 
***At this time Dr. Adamchak cannot accept patients with Medicare into Valley Ridge Direct Primary Care. If you want to join our contact list for when this will be possible - please email drstephanieadamchak@valleyridgedoctors.com and you will be notified.***

Question 12

How do I cancel my membership?

Accepted Answer

You can cancel your membership anytime with a 30-day written notice. If you rejoin later, a $100 reenrollment fee may apply, and you’ll need to wait for an opening if there’s a waitlist.

Question 13

Where are you located?

Accepted Answer

Valley Ridge Direct Primary Care is seeing patients at Homegrown Pediatrics clinic thanks to the generosity and Dr. Kate Johnson. The address is 5 Park Square, Ellicottville. You can find her purple building with an orange door behind the Jefferson Inn. Valley Ridge DPC hopes to soon share its own space with Valley Ridge Performance Physical Therapy. Stay posted!

FAQ

Frequently asked questions