Curious about Maple?
Frequently Asked Questions
1.
What is direct primary care?
Direct primary care (DPC) is the next evolution of concierge-style medicine, prioritizing the doctor-patient relationship, price transparency, direct access, and unhurried visits. At Maple, care is designed around a simple monthly membership that provides clear, predictable pricing, eliminates copays and unexpected bills, and allows for longer visits with direct access to your doctor. This model allows your doctor to care for a smaller number of patients (approximately 200 patients instead of the typical 2,000) and to truly be available when you need them.
2.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not bill or accept insurance for our membership fee. Instead, your membership allows your doctor to work directly for you. Stepping away from insurance-driven care allows us to focus entirely on you, not the metrics, paperwork and guidelines enforced by insurance companies. Please check with your insurance provider or accountant to see if a Health Savings Account (HSA) can be used toward your membership with Maple for potential tax advantages.
3.
Why is there a membership fee?
It feels like a leap from what we’re all used to, but think of your commitment to Maple as a gym membership for your health – you can use it as little or as often as you need. There’s peace of mind when you have access to a doctor who truly knows you and treats you like family, rather than getting generic advice from a nurse line or virtual provider who doesn’t know you or your medical history.
We limit our panel size to approximately 200 patients, compared to the typical model of over 2,000 patients. The ratio of 1 doctor to over 2,000 patients is one of the reasons why many patients and doctors feel frustrated with insurance-based care. Smaller panels allow for extended visits, minimal wait times, same or next-business day visits, and a true connection with your doctor.
4.
Does this replace health insurance?
No. Although we aim to address a vast majority of our members’ primary care needs, a membership with Maple does not replace health insurance. Services not offered by our practice include appointments with specialists, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, and imaging services.
5.
What if I don’t have health insurance?
Maple can be a great option for those without insurance, as your primary care physician can typically handle at least 80% of your healthcare needs, and offer access to discounted self-pay options for bloodwork. While patients are encouraged to carry insurance, we do not bill or require insurance for membership. Consider a high-deductible plan for catastrophic coverage to cover you for an unexpected hospitalization or surgery.
6.
Are there financial benefits? Can I actually save money?
Yes. Insurance-based care can be costly, between co-pays, unexpected bills, and sometimes unnecessary urgent care or emergency room visits. Maple has negotiated discounted cash pricing directly with local labs (Quest and Labcorp) to secure discounted cash-pay pricing for our members. Patients can also choose to use their insurance for these services. Many health issues that could lead to an urgent care or emergency room visit can often be handled directly through our practice, helping you avoid unnecessary visits and reduce out-of-pocket costs. A visit to the emergency room could be equivalent to the cost of a year membership with us, plus the added stress and inconvenience.
7.
Is my doctor available 24/7?
Dr. Doroshow is deeply committed to her patients and provides attentive, personalized care, typically responding promptly during regular business hours. Same or next business day appointments are almost always available when needed.
If you need to reach out, you may text between the hours of 8am-8pm and Dr. Doroshow will respond as promptly as possible. After 8pm, we ask that you please leave any non-urgent messages for the next business day.
If a true medical emergency arises overnight or on the weekend, you may contact Dr. Doroshow, but we kindly ask that any non-urgent issues wait until the next business day.
8.
Is there a long-term commitment?
There is no long-term commitment to our membership. Although we hope that Maple is the right fit for you, we understand that sometimes things don’t work out as planned. Membership begins with an initial 90-day commitment and continues month-to-month thereafter. If your needs change, we simply ask for 30 days’ notice to ensure a smooth transition of your care.
9.
How long does it take to get an appointment?
For existing patients, we offer same or next-business-day appointments. For new patients, we would love to get your membership started within days, not weeks or months!
10.
I’m healthy and almost never go to the doctor, does this make sense for me?
Absolutely. Many of our members are healthy adults who simply want a better healthcare experience. Direct primary care isn't just for when you're sick; it's about prevention, personalized guidance, and having a trusted physician who knows you before a health concern arises.
When questions do come up, you'll have direct access to your doctor without the long waits, rushed visits, or uncertainty of navigating the traditional healthcare system. Our goal is to help you stay healthy and provide peace of mind when you need it.
11.
What if I need a specialist?
We love coordinating with specialists to optimize your care and ensure everyone is on the same page. If you need a new specialist, we are happy to make recommendations and referrals from our curated list of the area’s most reputable specialists.
12.
What if I have an HMO plan?
You are still welcome to join Maple. However, HMO plans typically require an in-network primary care physician for referrals and covered services. Since Maple does not bill insurance, Dr. Doroshow would not be able to act as your in-network physician or provide insurance-based referrals.
Many patients choose to keep their HMO primary care provider for specialist and imaging referrals, while using Maple for more personalized primary care. If you have questions, we’re happy to help you think through your options.
