Frequently Asked Questions

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a well-established, simplified health care model that puts patients first by removing complexities in the system. By cutting out insurance companies from the doctor-patient relationship, we avoid restrictions that affect traditional care practices. As a result, DPC allows easy access, significant cost savings, and higher quality care.

The principles are the same, and the terms are often used interchangeably. The focus is on meeting the needs of patients by offering easy, consistent, convenient access to care. With un-rushed visits, personalized care, and a focus on prevention, you receive proactive rather than reactive healthcare.

To achieve a personal doctor-patient relationship, Direct Primary Care practices do not accept health insurance but work directly with the patient (as the name implies). With a monthly fee, you can save  due to convenient access, no-cost procedures, and wholesale test pricing.

At InTouch Primary Care we understand that many individuals and business owners do not truly have access to healthcare.  

We also realize that reactive care often leads to unnecessary complications.

Our goal is to prevent serious health conditions and reduce medical complications. In order to do this:

1.  We make it simple, easy and convenient to access high quality consistent care.

2. We focus on lifestyle behaviors and other natural methods to treat medical conditions in order to reduce dependence on medications to lower complications.

Without the restrictions and red tape in the traditional care system we are able to spend quality time with you, providing easy access, convenient, consistent, affordable care.

At InTouch Primary Care, the relationship is with you and your doctor, so you no longer have to switch doctors because of changes in your insurance or insurance status.  You can finally have your own personal doctor, one that knows you well, which makes all the difference in how you receive care and on your health.

InTouch Primary Care also offers services to individuals or families visiting from out of the country, who desire affordable care from a trusted experienced physician.  We take away the burden and help you navigate the complex health system.

1. CONVENIENCE: At InTouch Primary Care, you don’t have to wait. You can be seen the same or next day if needed.  Since we space out our appointments, you don’t have to sit in the waiting room very long or at all, prior to your appointment. You can communicate with your own doctor via telephone, text or email in between visits and may be able to do a video chat visit if appropriate when you cannot come into the office.  This is especially convenient when you cannot get away from work or when you are traveling.  We are available to you when many other doctor’s offices are not.

2. TRANSPARENCY:  At a traditional primary care practice when your insurance is processed, you will either pay a co-pay or pay for the full doctor’s visit each time, until you meet your deductible. If you have a high deductible plan, then you may pay everything out of pocket until the deductible is met (if it is actually met).  Having insurance doesn’t mean you don’t pay for additional health care costs as co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles add up.  Services and tests typical cost more in a traditional practice and you often do not know how much you will end up paying ahead of time.  At InTouch Primary Care you pay a flat membership fee and have convenient access without ever worrying about surprise bills.

3. SAVINGS: You have access to wholesale tests and in office procedures at no cost.  For example, basic physical labs will cost you about $20 compared to $150-$300.  You have access to our procedures at no additional cost.  You can also schedule appointments, get medications easily refilled and meet your health care needs without wasting valuable time.  With ongoing care and easy access you can often avoid urgent or emergent care leading to even more savings.

4. RELATIONSHIP: You can spend time with your physician as often as you need (in contrast to the 15 minutes you likely will get on each of your visits elsewhere).  We have time to answer your questions. You can focus on your health and meet your health goals more easily.  You’ll have a long term relationship with your primary care physician instead of having to change doctors every time your health care plan or your doctor’s office acceptance of your plan changes.

Yes. What we offer is personalized health care tailored to your needs. You can enjoy peace of mind, knowing you can easily reach your own doctor.  With our focus on prevention, we are proactive about your health, but also here for your reactive health needs.  We can build a lasting relationship so that over time we truly get to know you, and over months and years, with intimate knowledge of your health we are able to provide comprehensive personalized care.

Yes. There are several services available to non-members including, Allergy Testing and Treatment, Metabloic Wellness & Weight Loss, International or Out of Town Guest Plans, and Pre-surgical evaluations. In addition, we understand you may want to get to know us first so you can Schedule a detailed consultation with Dr. Ashaye and decide on the best plan for you afterwards.  

The InTouch Care Membership Fee covers as many in-person or virtual visits as necessary for chronic care, acute or sick care, hospital follow ups, pre-op evaluation, comprehensive physicals, in office procedures, wholesale labs and much more. 

Your Membership is a yearly contract.

We hope that we provide such great care that you never want to leave, but we understand that circumstances may change. If for any reason you choose to cancel your membership, we simply request a 30 day written notice before your year ends. During that 30 days, you will maintain all your membership benefits and the same level of care. Please note that re-enrollment is not guaranteed, it is based on available space and is at our discretion. 

Ideally, our preventative care model with unprecedented physician access helps prevent or reduce hospitalizations whenever possible. In the event of an acute injury or illness requiring hospitalization, Dr. Ashaye will communicate with your hospital care team to ensure they are familiar with your health history and that you receive excellent care while admitted. While she does not admit patients to the hospital, Dr. Ashaye is on staff at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, so she would be able to access your medical records if you are admitted there. We recommend that all patients maintain a health insurance plan that will cover them in the event of hospitalization or surgery.

If you need to see a specialist, we will support you and help refer you to the right medical professional. We will also help coordinate your care to make sure nothing is lost in translation. You will still be able to use your insurance to pay for specialist visits.

In office tests are included in your membership. We have negotiated special member only rates for out of office lab tests and have cost saving options for imaging (Check out the savings on our Membership Page). You may also still use your insurance for tests and imaging.

If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 911 immediately. A family member or caregiver can call us later. InTouch Primary Care provides primary care services, however for urgent problems that are not emergencies, please contact us and we will make reasonable efforts to see you and be available electronically. Often, we can diagnose and treat without a visit to the ER. In fact, membership medicine has been shown to result in fewer ER visits for members because we can discuss your medical needs.

As a member of InTouch Primary Care, you can speak with us wherever you are in the United States, and we will help with any medical conditions that can be addressed by a virtual visit. If you have a condition that requires in-person evaluation and treatment, we will direct you to appropriate nearby care, and coordinate follow-up when you return home.

We believe that controlled substances, both narcotics (Lorcet, Lortab, Norco, Oxycontin, Percocet, Vicodin, etc.) and benzodiazepines (Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, Xanax, etc), have a limited role in primary care. Therefore Dr. Ashaye prescribes them rarely and only very sparingly. We believe chronic pain requiring narcotics is best managed by a pain management specialist. We are happy to work with you on non-narcotic options for your pain and to manage your other medical conditions. We do not treat anxiety with benzodiazepines, but are happy to offer other medications and techniques often successful in treating anxiety.

Telemedicine is the use of technology such as video and audio to deliver clinical services. Basically a physician is able to treat patients whenever needed and wherever the patient is, by using a computer or smartphone.

You can use your HSA and FSA for qualified expenses. Please speak to a CPA or financial advisor for specific answers on what would be best for you.