FAQ

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Frequently Asked Questions

WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A MEMBERSHIP?
When you join Victory Family Medicine, you know right away that it is not a typical doctor’s office. Forget about the headaches and frustrations you experienced before. You now have a trusted physician ready to care for you.

You will have longer face-to-face time, better communication, and no wait times. In addition to in person visits, you will be able to text, email, or call me with any questions. My focus is keeping you healthy!

In the FreedomDoc membership model, patients are free to talk to their doctor whenever and wherever they need them, with no extra costs. This significantly increases access to a doctor, and decreases the cost to the patient. Being able to talk to your doctor when you need them has tons of benefits.

I have chosen a Direct Primary Care membership model because it is affordable to the patient and allows me to care for my patients (whom I love!) in the best way I know how.

WILL I SAVE MONEY?
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.

The only change is that I have partnered with resources that may save you additional money if you would like to pay out of pocket, rather than submit to insurance. For example, I have partnered with labs, imaging centers, and a prescription wholesaler for dramatically lower cash-based pricing. If you decide you would still 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.

HOW DO I COMMUNICATE WITH YOU?
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.
HOW ARE OFFICE VISITS HANDLED?
It’s easy – schedule a visit via secure messaging, or call and come into the office to see me when your visit is actually scheduled. You and I also have the option of 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!
WILL YOU ALLOW ME TO SEE YOU WITHOUT SIGNING UP FOR A MEMBERSHIP?
You never know what the future holds for your health, so I would always suggest joining for a membership to take advantage of my time to get ahead of any problems that may pop up. If you aren’t sure if a membership is right for you, whether it be financial, for your health, or otherwise, you can always contact me so we can sit down and I can help you work through your decision.
HOW MANY PATIENTS WILL YOU SEE?
My main priority is you and making sure I am available to you while maintaining same-day or next-day visits, little to no wait, and non-rushed 30-60 minute visits. For these reasons, I cap my patient panel at 500 patients. (The standard fee-for-service healthcare systems expect each of their primary care physicians to maintain a panel of 2,000 to 3,000 patients.)
WHAT ABOUT LABS, IMAGING, AND PRESCRIPTIONS?

Through my national FreedomDoc network, we have partnered with local companies that provide my patients deeply discounted labs and imaging, as well as wholesale savings on medications. If you decide you would still like to submit to your insurance company, you are welcome to do so.

WHAT IF I NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL?
If you feel you need to go to the hospital, please call and discuss with me at any time. I can help you decide whether it is something we can take care of, or if the emergency room is necessary. As your private physician, I would like to be involved in your hospital care by communicating with the emergency room physician or the in-patient doctor to assist in your care. We are also happy to keep in touch with your family during your stay, and to help arrange for your care after you are well enough to return home.
CAN I USE MY HEALTH INSURANCE?
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, imaging studies, or to see a specialist – you can use your health plan like you normally would.
DO I STILL NEED HEALTH INSURANCE?
Yes, we recommend you continue to have some type of health plan coverage. There are certain types of care we cannot provide for you, such as surgeries or hospital stays, and you would still need insurance to cover these emergency situations. We suggest you opt for a lower cost, higher deductible plan that offers coverage at a lower monthly premium. You can pair this with a health savings account to save for catastrophic events that should be few and far between. On average, the majority of healthcare concerns can be handled by your primary care physician. If you are young and healthy, you may want to opt for a Health Share plan. With Victory Family Medicine, you don’t need to worry about meeting a deductible, since you will not need it for any of the services we provide. This alone could save you hundreds to thousands of dollars per year in healthcare costs.
WHAT IF I HAVE AN HMO PLAN, SUCH AS TRICARE PRIME?

HMOs, such as Tricare Prime, require an in-network provider to order referrals and tests, and any DPC practice would be considered out-of-network. Switching to a PPO option, such as Tricare Standard, is the recommended solution.

WHAT IF I AM ON MEDICARE?

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.

CAN I PAY WITH MY HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT (HSA)?
Some patients utilize their health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (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 we recommend that you consult your personal tax advisor for guidance.
IS THERE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT?
My service contract 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 90-day notice is received by us not to renew.
HOW DO I JOIN THE PRACTICE?

You call us at 803-590-6619 or click this link to start the enrollment process!

WILL I BENEFIT FROM VICTORY FAMILY MEDICINE IF I DON'T REQUIRE FREQUENT MEDICAL ATTENTION?
Absolutely! Today, most medical care is reactionary. We see a doctor only when symptoms arise or we feel sick. The standard fee-for-service healthcare system encourages you to not visit your physician until you are very sick. At Victory Family Medicine, you can see Dr. Leventis-Shew any time! While we always provide care for our patients when they need it, we also emphasize the importance of proactively maintaining your health. You and your family will benefit from a personalized, preventive healthcare plan:

We can prevent things from happening instead of waiting for them to happen. This means fewer emergency room or urgent care visits.

There is nothing standing in the way of talking to your doctor. You can call us, see us the same day or next day, or simply ask a quick question via text or email.

Over time, we will have a comprehensive understanding of your unique health requirements. If you need frequent medical attention, we will know your medical history and how to best treat you. Every patient deserves to have the type of personalized, direct access care that Victory Family Medicine provides!

Contact

Contact Us Today

Contact Info

Phone: 803-590-6619

Fax: (803)-720-5523

info@victoryfamilymed.com

By appointment

Monday - Thursday: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Friday: 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM.

After hours and weekend availability as needed

ADDRESS

3201 Devine St. Suite 100
Columbia, SC 29205