Frequently Asked Questions

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based healthcare model that creates a direct relationship between you and your physician without insurance billing in the middle. Members pay a straightforward monthly fee for personalized, accessible primary care and direct access to Dr. Ford. Click here for more information.  

Ready to enroll? Become a Member to get started right away. Still not sure if DPC is right for you? Schedule a Discovery Call and we'll walk you through the enrollment process and answer your questions.

If you're ready to enroll, click Become a Member below. If you're still deciding, you can schedule a Discovery Call first.

Membership includes extended visits, direct access to Dr. Ford, same-day and next-day appointment availability, osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT), nutrition services, and comprehensive primary care without the constraints of a traditional insurance-based practice.

No. FORD NY DPC does not bill health insurance for membership or covered primary care services. Insurance may still be used for services outside the practice, including specialist care, hospital services, imaging, medications, and other services not included in membership.

Yes, maintaining coverage for unexpected or higher-cost medical needs is recommended. Direct Primary Care is not health insurance and does not replace coverage for emergencies, hospitalization, surgery, specialist care, or other services outside the practice.

At this time, FORD NY DPC is not accepting Medicare-enrolled or Medicaid-enrolled patients. FORD NY DPC plans to offer memberships for eligible Medicare patients in the future. Patients age 65+ or enrolled in Medicaid who are interested are encouraged to reach out to be notified when enrollment becomes available.

Yes. FORD NY DPC offers family membership options for couples and families of any size, and accepts children age 5 and older. See the family pricing details on the Membership page.

Membership begins with a three-month commitment. After that, members may cancel at any time. Patients who cancel and later choose to return to the practice will be subject to the applicable re-enrollment fee.

Yes. One of the benefits of membership is greater access to same-day and next-day appointments, since Dr. Ford maintains a smaller patient panel than a traditional practice.

Appointments are scheduled rather than walk-in, which helps ensure members receive dedicated, unhurried time with Dr. Ford. Members can typically schedule quickly thanks to the practice's smaller size.

No. FORD NY DPC operates by appointment to ensure each patient receives the time and attention they need. Please contact us to schedule a visit.

Yes. Home visits may be available for members in certain special circumstances, including:

• Follow-up within seven days of hospital discharge
• End-of-life care
• Palliative care

Other home visit requests may be considered based on geography, medical circumstances, and Dr. Ford's availability. A $150 additional home visit fee applies.

Dr. Ford will refer members to trusted specialists when needed and can help coordinate that care. Specialist visits are billed separately and are typically covered by health insurance.

Emergency and hospital care are not provided directly through membership. Members should go to the nearest emergency department or call 911 for urgent or life-threatening situations. Dr. Ford can help coordinate follow-up care afterward.

Dr. Ford can order labs, imaging, and prescriptions as part of your care. These outside services are billed separately, often at reduced self-pay or wholesale rates, and insurance may also be used where applicable.

Always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department for a medical emergency. Membership is designed for primary care and does not replace emergency medical services.

Yes. FORD NY DPC does not provide obstetrical or prenatal care, urgent or emergency care, inpatient hospital care, or major surgical procedures. We also do not provide long-term management of opioid medications or Suboxone.

This is not an exhaustive list. If you need care outside the scope of our practice, we can help coordinate appropriate specialty care and guide you through the next steps.

Not at this time, but FORD NY DPC is developing partnership programs for employers and community organizations in the Capital Region. Contact us to express interest.