Frequently Asked Questions

Have Health Insurance? Great. Keep it.

Encore works alongside your health insurance, not instead of it. Your annual membership covers your primary care with us, so we do not bill insurance for your visits. Your insurance can still be used for labs, imaging, medications, specialists, hospital care, and other outside services just as it normally would.

  • Concierge medicine gives you more time, access, and continuity with your primary care team. At Encore, your annual membership allows us to keep a smaller patient panel, offer longer visits, and make it easier to reach us between appointments.

    We also place a strong focus on prevention, long-term health planning, and coordinating your care over time.

    Your membership is separate from health insurance, which can still be used for labs, imaging, medications, specialists, hospital care, and other outside services.

  • No. You do not need health insurance to become a member, but we strongly recommend maintaining insurance for care outside of Encore.

    Your membership covers your primary care with us. Insurance remains important for things like hospital care, specialists, imaging, medications, procedures, and other outside services.

  • No. Your primary care visits with Encore are included in your annual membership, so there is no additional charge each time you come in or have a virtual visit with us.

    Outside services such as labs, imaging, medications, specialist visits, or hospital care are separate and may be billed through your insurance.

  • Yes. When we order labs, imaging, medications, or specialist care, those services work much like they would through a traditional primary care practice.

    If you have insurance, the outside laboratory, imaging center, pharmacy, specialist, or hospital can bill your plan directly. Your usual deductible, copay, coinsurance, and coverage rules may apply.

  • Medicare patients are welcome at Encore. Encore has opted out of Medicare, which means Medicare is not billed for the primary care services we provide.

    Your membership covers your care with us directly, while Medicare can still be used for covered services outside of Encore, including specialists, hospital care, imaging, laboratory testing, and medications.

  • Your membership includes your primary care visits with us, annual preventive care, follow-up visits, telemedicine when appropriate, and ongoing access to our team between appointments.

    We also help coordinate referrals, testing, medications, and care with specialists when needed. Outside services such as labs, imaging, medications, and specialist care are not included in the membership fee and may be billed through your insurance.

  • In most cases, Encore is not a good fit for patients with HMO insurance. Many HMO plans require referrals, testing, and other services to be coordinated through an in-network primary care physician, which can make it difficult for us to manage your care effectively.

    If you have an HMO plan, contact us before joining so we can help determine whether your coverage will work with our practice.

  • Because we care for a smaller number of patients, we are typically able to offer appointments much sooner than a traditional primary care practice. We reserve flexibility in our schedule for time-sensitive concerns and offer both in-person and virtual visits when appropriate.

  • Yes. Many follow-up visits and concerns can be handled by video or phone when appropriate.

    Telemedicine can be especially convenient for medication follow-up, reviewing results, discussing symptoms, and other concerns that do not require an in-person exam.

  • We make sure our members are supported even when their physician is away. You’ll always know how to reach the practice, and we remain available to help with questions, urgent concerns, and next steps when needed.

    For planned time away, we communicate coverage details in advance so you know exactly who to contact.

  • Yes. We welcome children as members when their care needs are a good fit for our practice.

    We provide routine primary care, preventive visits, and management of many common pediatric concerns. Certain pediatric or specialist needs may still be referred to an outside provider.

  • Members can contact us through our secure messaging system during business hours.

    For urgent concerns after hours, established members have access to our urgent voicemail. For a true medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

  • Start by scheduling a complimentary meet-and-greet with our team. This gives you a chance to learn more about how Encore works, ask questions, and make sure the practice is a good fit for your needs.

    If you decide to join, we will guide you through the membership agreement and onboarding process.

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