FAQs for Patients
Frequently Asked Questions
Most MDVIP-affiliated primary care practices accept insurance (your physician can tell you whether they accept your specific insurance plan). Your annual fee pays for preventive care medical services that insurance usually doesn’t cover (e.g., advanced diagnostic testing and screenings). Your MDVIP-affiliated physician will continue to bill your insurance and charge copays, co-insurances and deductibles as he or she currently does for other medical services like sick visits.
The MDVIP Wellness Program includes lab tests, screenings and diagnostics that go beyond what is typically included in a basic physical exam. These tests, for example, have been shown to identify 40 percent more people at risk for heart attack or stroke compared to standard cholesterol tests. The detailed results of this additional testing, in combination with one-on-one counseling with your doctor, will be used to develop your customized wellness plan. It’s a more proactive approach to staying well—developing a clearer picture of your health risks and making a plan to minimize them.
Yes. Most MDVIP-affiliated practices accept Medicare. Your doctor can discuss the coverage his or her practice accepts.
Doctors affiliate with MDVIP because they want to practice medicine the way they were trained. They want to have time with their patients, they want to focus more on preventing disease rather than just treating symptoms, and they want have more innovative tools available to them. These doctors want to make a real impact on their patients’ health, but the current healthcare system has gotten in their way, creating long waits, red tape and too little time for meaningful interaction. Many doctors also want to maintain their independence and keep their intimate office setting, so they choose to affiliate with MDVIP rather than join a large group or hospital.
No. The annual fee for a membership in an MDVIP-affiliated practice pays for services not typically covered by your insurance and is not reimbursable by insurance.
Most MDVIP-affiliated physicians perform the labs and diagnostics (such as the EKG, vision and hearing, body composition and spirometry as well) at their office. For some, you may have to go to a local lab to have your blood drawn.
MDVIP-affiliated physicians may check on patients at the hospital. This may include one or more visits, cell phone calls or discussions with relatives. Some MDVIP-affiliated physicians practice at the hospital. If so, they may also treat you at the hospital. Either way, they want to support you during your stay. Remember, your physician may not automatically know that you are in the hospital, so please don’t hesitate to inform him or her.
Yes. After you have received your annual wellness services, the yearly fee may be reimbursed by flexible spending accounts (FSAs), medical savings accounts (MSAs), health reimbursement accounts (HRAs), and health savings accounts (HSAs). If requested, your physician will provide you with a statement of services to present to your administrator as reimbursement may be sought through the FSA claim submission process. Please note that the fee cannot be paid using an FSA debit or credit card.
No. In most cases, the annual fee may be paid quarterly, semi-annually or annually, and you may use a major credit card or check. You can also set up convenient automatic payments through a checking or savings account electronic debit option.
For patients who itemize medical expenses on their tax returns, the annual fee may be deductible. Check with your tax advisor if you have specific questions.
If the MDVIP wellness services were not performed, you may be eligible to receive a prorated refund. If you have received the testing as part of your MDVIP Wellness Program, a refund is not available and any unpaid balance of the annual fee remains your responsibility. As more than 90 percent of patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices around the country renew each year and patient satisfaction is consistently high, we believe you will be very satisfied with the program and your overall healthcare experience.
In order to help you easily connect with your doctor and make healthy choices every day, MDVIP has designed two tools to support your health and wellness goals. Through the MDVIP Connect website and app, you’ll be able to communicate securely with your doctor and their staff from your from your desktop, tablet and mobile devices, as well as manage your payment profile and schedule payments. You can also view the results of your latest annual MDVIP Wellness Program (if available).
Additional features of MDVIP Connect:
- Download results from your annual MDVIP Wellness Program (if available)
- Search and create customized meal plans and recipes
- Choose from a library of exercise videos and workout programs
MDVIP-affiliated internal or family practice physicians will usually treat your children (between the ages of 16 to 25) for routine office visits or sick care without any additional membership fee. This may vary, so please check with your MDVIP-affiliated doctor. Also note that standard fees, insurance co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles may apply.
Your doctor may see your out-of-town guests for sick visits and urgent matters. As this may vary, please check with your MDVIP-affiliated physician. Fees, insurance co-pays, coinsurance or deductibles may apply.
Practices are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. When a doctor reaches his or her membership limit and additional patients would like to join, a waiting list is established. If a specific practice is closed, another local MDVIP-affiliated physician may be available to you. Click here to find other doctors in your area.
Your doctor will arrange for coverage. You will receive contact information for the covering physician as needed. Additionally, many MDVIP-affiliated physicians will respond to patient messages when they are away.
Once you and your doctor have determined that an additional medical opinion is necessary or a recommended treatment is not available locally, your MDVIP-affiliated physician can work with MDVIP to help arrange for you to be seen at one of the Medical Centers of Excellence facilities, subject to your insurance, ability to travel and the facility's requirements. MCE is optional and only offered at the request of your MDVIP-affiliated physician. It does not replace your local specialist or treatment centers.
No. The cost for the medical treatment you receive may be billed to you or your insurance, depending on your coverage. You or your doctor should verify that the MCE facility accepts your insurance. Additional costs for treatment, travel and all other accommodations are your responsibility.
No. Your doctor and his or her staff are independent from MDVIP and are not MDVIP’s agents or employees. Your doctor runs his or her practice, and MDVIP does not own or manage your physician’s practice.
No. Your doctor solely directs and provides your medical care. MDVIP is not involved in any medical decisions.
No. This is entirely up to you and your physician, and MDVIP does not limit you in any way. In fact, MDVIP has no involvement in making referrals. You will continue to see any specialists or other providers as you did before being part of an MDVIP-affiliated practice, and you may seek care at any hospital or with any specialist.
MDVIP makes wellness and prevention easier by providing your physician with innovative tools and technology. MDVIP supports your physician’s practice and seeks to eliminate barriers to a positive healthcare experience. Your doctor will determine whether and how to incorporate these tools at his/her discretion. Read more about the MDVIP model and patient benefits here.
There are more than 1,100 MDVIP-affiliated doctors practicing nationally at their independent offices. Click here to find a doctor near you.
Paying your MDVIP bill is easy. Here are three four, simple ways to pay:
- Go to Express Pay (www.mdvip.com/pay) to make a one-time payment online. It's secure, easy to use and no need to login.
- Login to the MDVIP Connect website (visit login.mdvip.com). Then click on Manage Payments. And follow the directions from there.
- Download the MDVIP Connect App for iPhone or Android. Then click on Settings and then Payment Methods.
- Call Member Services at 1.866.696.3847.
The annual fee for MDVIP-affiliated practices ranges between $1,800 and $2,200. It varies based on locale. Patients can typically pay the fee quarterly, semi-annually and annually. You can find a physician's fee on their page. Go to Find a Physician to see the fee for individual practices.
The annual fee for membership pays for the MDVIP Wellness Program, which consists of comprehensive, advanced health screenings and diagnostic tests not typically covered by insurance.
