Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear Medical is a physician-led Direct Primary Care practice, but your care is always centered around your individual physician relationship. While you are a member of Clear Medical, you are specifically a patient of either Dr. Molly Heublein or Dr. Clara Krebs. Your medical care, treatment plans, and ongoing relationship will be with your chosen physician.
This model allows you to benefit from the resources and support of Clear Medical while preserving the direct, personal relationship that is at the heart of primary care. You will always know who your physician is, who is responsible for your care, and who understands your unique health goals and needs.
Membership gives you direct, unhurried access to your physician — same or next-day visits, secure messaging and televisits, and a proactive approach to your long-term health rather than the rushed, insurance-driven model.
Numerous reports show better care and cost saving throughout the United States. In an actuarial study, they found that my type of practice led to fewer specialist referrals, hospital admissions, and ER visits. By providing urgent care services at Clear Medical, you can avoid unwanted bills from the urgent care center or ER.
I've partnered with resources that may save you additional money if you would like to pay cash rather than submit to insurance. For example, I've partnered with labs, and a prescription wholesaler for dramatically lower cash-based pricing. However, if you still would like to submit to your insurance you are welcome to do so. I can provide you with those options that allow you to make the right decision based on your situation.
My practice leverages a telemedicine app that allows me to be available after hours, especially in urgent concerns. This dedicated tool allows us to securely text, video chat, and send pictures in real time. If we determine that you need to visit the office, I have same day or next day appointments available.
It's easy – schedule a visit via secure messaging or call in and come into the office to see me when your visit is actually scheduled. You and I also have the option to a televisit as an alternative for a quick checkup or if you're sick at home and would prefer not to come in. As a member of my practice there are no additional charges to see me-ever!
Because my main priority is you and I want to make sure I'm available for you while maintaining little to no wait, same day or next day visits, as well as non rushed, 30-60 minute visits, I cap my patient panel at 200-300 patients (a traditional panel is 2000-3000 patients).
Through my national FreedomDoc network, we've partnered with local companies that provide my patients discounts for paying with cash. However, if you still would like to submit to your insurance you are welcome to do so.
If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911 or go directly to the nearest emergency department.
If you are unsure whether your symptoms require emergency care, please call or message me. I can help you determine the best next step and guide you on whether your concern can be managed in the office or requires urgent evaluation. When you are hospitalized, I will remain involved in your care whenever possible and help coordinate communication with your hospital team and family.
Our practice welcomes all patients – no matter what kind of health plan you do or do not have. We like to say everything done within the walls of or by the practice is covered by the membership. If you need to go outside the office – like for labs, blood work, or specialists you can use your health plan like you normally would.
We recommend you continue to have some type of health plan coverage. If you are looking for a cost-effective way to obtain catastrophic care (childbirth, surgery, accidents, etc…), we recommend you enroll in a healthshare. This new type of health plan is affordable, provides great service, and is actually useful to alleviate any emergency medical bills.
Medicare offers a low baseline of primary care services and typically makes it hard to gain personal access to a primary care physician. My practice is excellent for the Medicare patient who values having unlimited access to a primary care physician that knows them. My Medicare patients pay practice fees directly, but Medicare coverage remains in place for everything else: specialists, testing performed outside of our office, and hospitalizations. Your Medicare will also cover lab services I prescribe as these are performed by an independent lab affiliate. I can still refer, write prescriptions, and fully act as your primary care physician.
Some patients utilize their health savings (HSAs), flexible spending (FSAs) or health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) to pay our fees as “qualified medical expenses”. Legal experts have recommended these patients follow the best practice of paying annually or semi-annually. If requested, we can provide you with an invoice and/or submit a notice to your employer if any questions arise about our programs. Please note that we cannot provide tax or legal advice, and you should consult your own tax advisor for guidance.
My service contract for primary care patients is for one year. If you are unhappy with the services OR for any reason wish to cancel your contract, you may do so with a 90-day notice. Any services already performed (i.e. preventive exams) will be itemized for payment. Any refunds will be granted after the service items are paid. All contracts are automatically renewed unless a 30-day notice is received by us not to renew. Menopause consults are billed individually without a commitment.
You can call Dr. Krebs' office at 808-427-2250, Dr. Heublein's office at 808-427-2778, or email us at info@clearmedicalclinic.com to start the enrollment process!
The terms are often used interchangeably, however there are some differences. Concierge practices typically bill insurance like traditional practices, but then also charge patients a “concierge” retainer fee in addition. Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model focused on putting the patient first. That means treating them when they need it, not rushing patients through appointments, and being proactive with healthcare treatment plans. The doctor-patient relationship is just as the name suggests – direct. Direct Primary Care clinics don't accept insurance, rather they choose to work directly with the patient, providing wholesale labs, deeply discounted prescription prices, and other cost savings along the way.
