Question 1

Is Raphara Health a type of health insurance?

Accepted Answer

No, and this is the most important distinction. Raphara Health is not an insurance plan. We are a nonprofit medical clinic that provides high-quality primary care (the care you need 90% of the time) for a flat, affordable monthly fee. We work for you, not an insurance company.
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Question 2

Is this "Concierge Medicine"?

Accepted Answer

No. DPC is similar to concierge medicine in the high level of access and personal care it provides. The main difference is our mission and cost. Concierge practices are typically very expensive (often $300-$400/month) and still bill your insurance.As a nonprofit, our mission is to make this same high-quality care affordable and accessible for everyone in our community, not just the wealthy.​​

Question 3

Do I still need to have health insurance if I'm a member?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We strongly recommend that all members have either health insurance or a health-sharing plan to cover "big ticket" medical needs. Your DPC membership is designed to cover all your primary care (office visits, sick care, annual physicals), but it does not cover catastrophic events like ER visits, hospital stays, or major surgeries.
 
DPC pairs perfectly with high-deductible/lower premium insurance plans or inexpensive health share plans allowing you to get high-quality primary care with no copays while having a safety net for emergencies.

Question 4

Can I use my insurance at your clinic?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not bill or accept any insurance plans,  because all your primary care needs are covered by your membership fee. By working directly for you, we eliminate the immense administrative cost and arbitrary rules that insurance companies impose. This freedom is what allows us to offer intentional 30-60 minute appointments, direct access to your doctor, and transparent pricing.

Question 5

Can I use my Health Savings Account (HSA) to pay for my membership?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Starting January 1, 2026. Thanks to new federal legislation, the rules for Health Savings Accounts are expanding to include Direct Primary Care.
What this means: For the first time, the IRS will recognize Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership fees as "qualified medical expenses." This allows you to use your pre-tax HSA dollars to pay for your monthly Raphara Health membership, effectively lowering your out-of-pocket cost by 20-30% (depending on your tax bracket).
The Details:
Monthly Limits: You can use HSA funds for fees up to $150/month for individuals and $300/month for families.
Eligibility: This applies to anyone with an HSA-qualified High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).
Combined Power: By pairing a low-premium/HDHP insurance plan with a DPC membership paid via HSA, you get the best of both worlds: protection for emergencies and affordable, accessible, relationship-based care for everything else.

Question 6

Can I join if I have Medicare?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We welcome Medicare patients. You will still use your Medicare benefits for all other services (specialists, hospital care, labs, and imaging at outside facilities). The only difference is that you will sign a simple private contract with us stating that you will not bill Medicare for our specific membership fee or services, which are already covered by your low-cost monthly fee.

Frequently Asked Questions