The doctors at Emerald Health do not manage chronic pain and they do not prescribe chronic pain medications. They do not have or keep any pain medication at the clinic. Opioid prescribing guidelines from the CDC to combat the prescription drug abuse epidemic are more stringent than in the past, and those patients who use narcotics for chronic pain are encouraged to seek a pain treatment center. Our doctors are not pain specialists and do not prescribe narcotics for the treatment of chronic pain. They can help wean patients off these medications if patients desire to do this. They similarly do not prescribe controlled sedatives for the treatment of chronic anxiety or insomnia.

We are not a fee-for-service same day Clinic. We work hard to meet our members needs as they arise but do not offer same-day or one-time visits for non-members. We believe in long-term Primary Care relationships.

We do not do pregnancy care, chronic pain management, DOT physicals or determinations for medical disability. We are not the admitting doctor when our patients need to be hospitalized.

Yes. We will still refer to specialty doctors when appropriate. Any outside specialty care is not included in the membership. You can submit any charges to your insurance as you normally would.

We don't have immunizations at the clinic because we have no way to save you money on them. Pharmacies are already so good at this and they are pretty much sold at cost.

A membership at Emerald Health is not insurance and we encourage our patients to maintain insurance coverage (including Medicare with supplements if applicable). Outside of our office, you will be able to use it as you normally would for specialist referrals, hospital admissions, imaging, and ER care. Our affordable memberships often allow patients to obtain lower-cost, catastrophic plans they can afford. They also allow people who aren't provided insurance from their employers and who can't afford insurance themselves the opportunity to get the primary care they need at incredible prices. We do not file or accept any insurance or government payments, but outside of our office, you will be able to your insurance as you usually do.

The bottom line, however, is in most situations, insurance or no insurance, direct primary care clinics can save people time, money and headaches with our low-cost transparent care model.