Frequently asked questions
Direct primary care, sometimes known as concierge medicine, is a revolutionary model of medical practice that puts the patient at the center of the healthcare experience. By retaining the services of a specific physician, the patient secures an unprecedented relationship with the physician, which allows the physician to know the patient well and to deliver the very highest levels of primary care and service. This is the type of practice that Colab Concierge Physicians offer.
There are many benefits to participating in this kind of practice, but most importantly, you will have a personal relationship with your OWN doctor. Your doctor will know you well and as a result, the quality of your care will be significantly greater. Additional benefits include: • Direct contact with your doctor at any time • Same or next day appointments • 24/7 availability • House or office calls when necessary • Longer appointments • No wait in the waiting room • Health Planning • Personalized research and health information • Referral coordination with specialists • Individualized treatment strategies Referrals will be made by our doctors fitting your needs with the best possible specialist who can address those needs. Dr. Niedfeldt and Dr. Furey will be happy to review your visit and discuss any test results as well.
Yes. The retainer fee covers your Colab Concierge Physicians membership and all visits in our office. It does not cover medical visits or procedures elsewhere. Insurance is needed to cover medical expenses such as hospitalizations, surgeries, diagnostic tests (such as CT scans, MRI's, endoscopies, cardiovascular testing, blood work, etc.), and specialist office visits and services.
Once you are a member, our staff is available to you during normal business hours. For non urgent needs, you can send Dr. Niedfeldt or Dr. Furey a secure portal message. You can go to our website and log-in to the patient portal to send a message or review test results on-line. You may also email your doctor or our office directly, understanding that email is not always completely secure.
For after hours needs, you will be provided with your doctor's cell phone number to call or text, which will go directly to them. No answering service takes your call first. You may also reach your doctor’s cell phone directly from our after hours message. All you need is our office number and you can reach your doctor whenever needed.
Given the complexity of inpatient medicine today, Dr. Niedfeldt and Dr. Furey generally coordinate your care with a dedicated hospitalist at the facility of your choice and they will consult with the hospitalist physician to ensure appropriate management and progress. We will be with you every step of the way.
Our doctors are completely independent physicians and are free to select the best specialist for your needs; we currently consult with a full spectrum of specialists. Our office is happy to coordinate your appointment for you and we will closely monitor your progress while under a specialist’s care. If you already see a specialist you like, you may certainly continue to see him or her.
Our office offers a full spectrum of medical services, including many common in-office procedures. Blood draw samples can be done right here in the office. For advanced diagnostic testing procedures not available in our office, we will work with you and your insurance provider to find the most appropriate provider and most convenient location.
While Dr. Niedfeldt has specialized training in sports medicine, he is trained as a family practice physician and regularly handles all aspects of family practice care. It is not necessary to be an athlete to benefit from his knowledge of and his enthusiasm for wellness and maintaining an active lifestyle.
The membership fee for an individual starts at $2400. Your retainer fee entitles you unlimited visits and access to your doctor as a member of the practice. There are no charges to your insurance, co-pays or deductibles for primary care services for non-Medicare beneficiaries. You have the option of paying monthly, quarterly, or annually.
No, your health insurance will not cover the annual fee. However, some plans allow members to use compatible spending account money to help cover the membership fee. Potentially compatible accounts include: • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) • Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs) • Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) • Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Check with your benefits administrator to understand your options.
Upon your request, we will gladly transfer your medical records to your new physician. The unused portion of your retainer fee will be refunded within 30 days notice, calculated from the first of the month following the month of the notice given. If you are relocating, we will be happy to assist you finding a new physician.