Essential Health Plan
FAQ
How does the Essential Health Services Program work?
West Michigan Center for Family Health is a participating member of
Discount Card of America, a company that brings together a network of
medical professionals dedicated to providing quality healthcare and medical
services at reasonable prices. Therefore, we are able to offer discounts to
card holders that would be unavailable otherwise.
Is this health insurance?
No. This is not insurance, this is insurance free primary health care.
You are paying for our services directly through your low annual fee.
Do you charge co-pays for office visits?
No. EHS members pay a low annual fee which covers all services provided in our office for the entire year.
Will the costs increase if I use the Center frequently?
No. There is one flat fee per year, no matter how many times you come
in. You can be seen for treatment as many times as medically necessary,
whether that is once a year or once a week. Other “concierge” services
offer a limited number of office visits and then start tacking on fees –
we don’t do that. One fee means one fee.
How do you offer all of these services for such a low cost?
Our model is a cost-effective alternative to traditional healthcare. Because
this is not an insurance program, we do not have to cover the costs associated
with communicating/negotiating or billing an insurance provider. We pass these
savings on to you. Additionally, our medical staff is not compensated based on
the number of patients they see or the procedures that they perform.
Do I have to pay anything extra for services at the Center?
You will pay a modest fee for lab tests that have to be sent out, and you will
pay an $11.00 fee to a third party radiologist to read your X-rays if we need
to take them. Other than these two charges, there are no other costs.
What if I have a pre-existing condition?
Because the EHS program is about health care and not insurance, pre-existing
conditions are not a problem. Think about like this: your doctor would not
refuse to see you if your cholesterol count was up – same thing here. We are your
doctors, not your insurance company.
When does coverage start?
Your year starts on the day you purchase the EHS plan and ends 365 days later.