Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Understanding Direct Primary Care

Direct Primary Care is a membership-based healthcare model that gives patients unlimited access to their primary care provider for a flat monthly fee. Unlike traditional care models that rely on insurance billing, DPC eliminates copays, reduces wait times, and prioritizes relationships, not volume.

CategoryTraditional Primary CareDirect Primary Care (DPC)
Payment ModelFee-for-service through insuranceFlat monthly membership with no copays or deductibles
Access to CareWait times of 18–24 daysSame-day or next-day appointments guaranteed
Appointment Length7–10 minute visits30–60 minute visits with time for deeper care
Patient Panel Size2,000–3,000 patients per physician600–800 patients per physician
Physician IncentivesDriven by visit volume and billing codesDriven by patient health outcomes and long-term wellness
Care CoordinationFragmented, patient left to navigate aloneGuided navigation and support for referrals and costs
After-Hours CareLimited or unavailable24/7 Virtual Access
Overall PhilosophyReactive “sick care”Proactive, relationship-based care

Yes, you still need health insurance. SALTA Direct Primary Care does not replace your insurance coverage – it transforms how you access primary care. Your SALTA membership covers everyday healthcare needs, while insurance remains necessary for hospitals, specialists, emergency care, advanced imaging, and major procedures. Direct Primary Care works alongside your existing insurance as a complementary solution that enhances your overall healthcare experience.

SALTA provides real primary care—not transactional care. Every member has a dedicated clinician who knows them and is available for same-day or ongoing care. Unlike telehealth or urgent care, we don’t just diagnose and send people away—we guide patients through follow-up, referrals, testing, and treatment. And while we offer the personalized access of concierge medicine, we do it at an affordable, scalable price point—built for employers, not just executives.

Access to Care and Services

Yes, SALTA members have 24/7 virtual access to their clinician. You can reach whenever you need medical guidance, even on evenings, weekends, and holidays. Unlike traditional practices that use answering services, you’ll communicate directly with your doctor who knows your medical history. This means faster responses, personalized care, and peace of mind knowing that quality healthcare support is always available when you need it.

Your SALTA clinician will help coordinate any specialty care you need. They’ll make appropriate referrals, find quality specialists who accept your insurance, and often secure timely appointments. Your clinician will review specialist recommendations with you to ensure coordinated care and help you avoid unnecessary referrals while getting the right specialized care when needed.

Your SALTA clinician can prescribe medications as needed and often dispense common medications directly from our office at wholesale prices (Clarkston Only). For other prescriptions, we’ll help you find the most affordable option using price comparison tools and discount programs. We focus on prescribing cost-effective medications when appropriate and can manage prescription refills without requiring an appointment for every renewal.

Your membership includes virtual care access from anywhere. Your clinician can provide consultation via text, phone, or video chat while you’re traveling. If you need in-person care, we can help coordinate with local providers or direct you to appropriate care options in your location. This ensures continuity of care no matter where you are.

We excel at managing chronic conditions through personalized care plans, regular monitoring, and proactive interventions. With longer appointments, your clinician can address root causes and make timely adjustments to treatment plans. For complex conditions requiring specialists, we coordinate care and serve as your advocate throughout the process. Our approach focuses on preventing complications and helping you achieve better long-term health outcomes.

You’re welcome to try SALTA while maintaining your existing primary care relationship. Many members find that after experiencing our model—with same-day access, longer visits, and direct communication with their clinician—they prefer to transition fully to SALTA. If you decide to make the switch, we make transferring your medical records simple and seamless. There’s no pressure either way; we’re happy to complement your current care until you decide what works best for you.

Membership and Billing

No, there are no setup fees or hidden costs for your SALTA membership. Your monthly fee includes all primary care services, such as office visits, virtual care, and basic procedures. It does not include labs, immunizations, and medications, though we offer these at discounted rates whenever possible. We’re committed to complete price transparency, so upfront costs are available.

No. Individual memberships are month-to-month with no long-term commitment required. You can cancel anytime with 30 days’ notice.

Individual members can cancel at any time with 30 days’ notice. There are no cancellation fees or penalties. Simply contact our office to initiate the cancellation process. Please note that if you decide to rejoin within 12 months of cancelling, there is a $350 rejoining fee.

Many members who rarely seek healthcare still find value in their SALTA membership. The peace of mind from knowing you have immediate access when you do need care is significant. Additionally, members who typically use healthcare infrequently often engage more with preventive care through SALTA, potentially avoiding more serious health issues down the road. Even with minimal use, the convenience of text messaging your clinician with quick questions or concerns provides ongoing value without disrupting your busy life.

This is a complex area with evolving regulations. Currently, Direct Primary Care memberships are generally not considered qualified medical expenses for HSA funds when paired with a High Deductible Health Plan. However, some members do use FSA funds or post-tax HSA distributions. We recommend consulting with your tax advisor for guidance specific to your situation, as individual circumstances and tax regulations may vary.

For Employers

SALTA lowers employer healthcare costs by keeping employees out of expensive parts of the system. With same-day access, 24/7 communication, and longer visits, our physicians address issues early—preventing unnecessary ER visits, urgent care trips, and specialist referrals. We also help employees manage chronic conditions more effectively, reducing costly complications. By replacing transactional care with proactive, relationship-based care, SALTA drives down claims and stabilizes cost trends—typically saving employers 20–40% on total healthcare spend.

DPC delivers value across your workforce, but some groups benefit most:

  • High utilizers who frequently visit urgent care, ERs, or specialists
  • Employees with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or asthma
  • Executives and professionals who want fast, frictionless care
  • Busy parents who need easy access for themselves and their kids
  • Health-conscious employees who value proactive, relationship-based care

SALTA helps your highest-cost members get better care—and keeps your healthiest ones engaged before problems arise.

No. SALTA does not replace your existing health insurance—it replaces how your employees access primary care. We handle everyday healthcare needs directly, without billing insurance. For everything outside of primary care—like specialist visits, hospitalizations, or surgeries—your existing health plan remains in place. SALTA works best when paired with a high-deductible or self-funded plan to maximize savings and reduce claims.

Not directly. Under current IRS rules, traditional Direct Primary Care is considered “disqualifying coverage” when paired with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), which means employees cannot contribute to an HSA if they’re actively enrolled in a standard DPC membership.

However, there are compliant workarounds:

  • DMCA Structure: SALTA can work with partners like Accresa to offer a Direct Medical Care Arrangement (DMCA), which is structured to meet IRS requirements and allows employees to use pre-tax HSA or FSA funds for DPC services.
  • Stipend Approach: Some employers offer a taxable healthcare stipend to cover DPC costs. Employees pay out-of-pocket while maintaining full HSA eligibility.
  • Deductible Access: In some cases, DPC access is delayed until after the deductible is met to maintain compliance with HDHP/HSA rules.

SALTA will guide you through the best structure based on your benefit design, risk profile, and compliance needs.

Implementation typically takes around 60 days from decision to launch. The process includes a kickoff session with your HR team to set expectations, followed by gathering eligibility files to determine which employees can register. We’ll create an employer portal account for your organization, set up billing information, and provide training on portal management. We’ll also prepare customized marketing materials for your employees and host either an on-site or virtual information session to introduce the program and answer questions. Our structured approach ensures a smooth transition with minimal disruption to your team.

You can implement SALTA at any time during the year. Our program can be started whenever it makes the most sense for your organization, as it’s not directly tied to insurance or traditional benefits enrollment cycles. We’ll work with your timeline to ensure a smooth implementation regardless of when you choose to begin.

We offer flexible implementation models. Employers can choose to offer DPC as an opt-in benefit or as part of their standard benefits package for all employees. We can customize the approach to fit your organization’s needs and objectives. Both models have been successful, and we’re happy to discuss which option might work best for your specific situation.

Employer billing is flexible and straightforward. We offer two primary payment options: You can set up automatic monthly payments where we pull funds directly from your bank account or charge your credit card only for enrolled employees. Alternatively, we offer a deferred payment option where your payment information is stored in our system, but you maintain control by manually approving each payment. Both options provide detailed reporting and transparency, allowing you to easily track utilization and costs. Our employer portal gives you real-time visibility into enrollment and billing information.

SALTA provides regular performance reports that track key metrics important to employers. Our reporting includes membership utilization rates, patient engagement compared to traditional primary care benchmarks, and access metrics like wait times and appointment duration. We also measure patient satisfaction through our Net Promoter Score (NPS) and other feedback mechanisms. For employers who share claims data with us, we can analyze healthcare cost trends and provide estimated ROI based on reduced ER visits, specialist referrals, and other high-cost services. Our goal is to provide transparent, meaningful insights that demonstrate the value of your investment in direct primary care without overwhelming you with unnecessary details.

SALTA does NOT provide legal, tax, or regulatory advice. While we structure our services to work within current healthcare regulations, compliance responsibility ultimately rests with each employer. We can share information about common approaches other employers have taken when implementing direct primary care benefits, including various models for HSA compatibility and ERISA considerations. We can also connect you with third-party administrators who specialize in these matters. However, we strongly recommend that all employers consult with their own benefits counsel, tax advisors, and compliance experts to determine the appropriate structure for their specific situation. SALTA makes no guarantees regarding regulatory compliance, as regulations vary by state and continue to evolve at the federal level. Our focus remains on delivering exceptional primary care while supporting employers with the practical information they need to make informed decisions.

Yes, we support distributed workforces through our multiple physical locations across Southeast Michigan and comprehensive virtual care options. Remote employees can access care through secure messaging, phone consultations, and video visits. For employees outside our service area, we form affiliate partnerships with DPCs in different states and regions to effectively provide care where we are not physically present. These DPC clinics are vetted by us and will provide primary care in those geographies. Our model is designed to deliver consistent, high-quality care regardless of employee location or work arrangement.