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Frequently asked questions
We believe the insurance-based system leads to rushed, low-quality, reactionary care. Patients deserve better. That’s why we’ve cut out the middlemen and work directly for you, providing a model that focuses on keeping you healthy and happy through proactive, unrushed, and personalized care. Our decisions are based solely on what’s best for you—not what maximizes insurance reimbursement.
You can learn more about Direct Primary Care here.(/about)
You might think membership isn't necessary, especially if you're healthy and only see your doctor once a year. However, meaningful improvements in health don’t happen through a quick, routine physical. True health requires ongoing support, consistency, and accountability—and that's exactly what membership offers. Think of it like a gym membership: an investment in your long-term wellness, with the freedom to use it as often or as little as you'd like.
Membership provides a premium primary care experience, giving you direct access to a doctor who knows you—not a nurse line or a faceless telehealth provider, whether through a call, text, or email.
With our membership model, your doctor has more time to focus on you. Expect longer appointments, minimal wait times, better coordination with specialists, and same or next-day visits—all things traditional practices often can’t provide.
Direct Primary Care is perfect for anyone seeking more personalized, accessible care—especially if you have a high-deductible plan, are uninsured, or simply want a doctor who really knows you. It’s especially beneficial for those with chronic conditions, busy lives, or anyone looking to save on long-term healthcare cost without the hassle of insurance.
You can read more about our membership here.(/membership)
Yes!
Do you have your doctor’s direct number?
Can you get an appointment when you need one?
Do they see you on time and spend more than 15 minutes with you?
Can you text them for a quick follow-up question?
Does their office return your calls quickly?
Do you have to repeat your story often times?
Have you ever been surprised by a bill for something you thought was covered?
You get the idea. At U Care MD, we offer quality, access, convenience, and transparency—things that insurance-based primary care simply can’t provide.
No, membership is month-to-month. You can cancel at any time with 30 days notice (to ensure a safe transfer of care) if you feel your healthcare needs have been met and you do not need ongoing care.
Insurance is recommended, but not required to be seen at U Care MD. All members receive the same high-quality care, regardless of their insurance status.
A DPC membership works best when paired with a high-deductible (catastrophic) insurance plan, as it offers coverage for low risk but high cost events (emergency, hospitalizations, surgeries, etc) at a lower premium cost compared to the more expensive, lower-deductible insurance plans.
While your membership at U Care MD covers all in-clinic care—doctor visits, direct access, and many services at no extra cost—it’s still a good idea to have insurance for things like medications, laboratory studies, blood tests, vaccines, imaging, specialist visits, hospitalizations, emergency room visits, surgeries, and procedures.
Some patients choose to pair their membership with insurance, knowing most of their day-to-day care is taken care of through U Care MD. That’s a personal choice, but insurance provides an important safety net.
Without insurance, you'd be responsible for 100% of emergency, hospital, or other out-of-clinic care, which could be financially overwhelming. For true peace of mind, we strongly recommend having at least a high-deductible insurance plan alongside your DPC membership.
Please note: U Care MD membership is not considered health insurance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Yes. You can use your insurance to pay for the expensive items: medications, laboratory studies, blood tests, vaccines, imaging, specialist fees, emergency room visits, surgeries, and procedures.
If you do not have insurance, we will help you find the best price and any applicable discount cards.
At U Care MD, we provide a concierge-level of care, but we’re technically a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice, not a traditional concierge practice. The key difference? Concierge practices still bill your insurance and collect copays on top of their membership fee, and they’re often not an option for those who are uninsured or under-insured. In contrast, DPCs are open to everyone, regardless of insurance status, and membership fees are typically paid monthly, not annually.
Yes! As of January 1, 2026 you can use both FSA and HSA funds to pay for your membership.
However, we recommend checking with your tax advisor to confirm eligibility.
Maybe. Since we're out-of-network and don’t bill insurance, you'll need to check with your plan directly. We can provide superbills and detailed invoices for you to submit, but we don’t bill insurance on your behalf.
During open enrollment, many patients are surprised by the high cost of insurance premiums. Some choose a high-deductible or catastrophic plan to save money and pair it with a DPC membership for affordable, personalized care throughout the year.
This combo works well—you save on premiums, have coverage for major health events, and enjoy better day-to-day care with no copays or surprise bills. Just keep in mind, DPC is NOT a substitute for insurance, but it makes your insurance more affordable and perfectly complements the benefits of DPC care.

Ready for better care?
We encourage you...
to start with a free meet & greet with Dr. Chen to see if
U Care MD is the right fit for you.
You’ve got nothing to lose!
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