WELCOME and thank you for your interest in joining my primary care Concierge Medical Practice.  Founded in 2007, it is the first, full-time retainer-based medical practice in Monterey.  With the turbulent changes in the healthcare environment, I have chosen to control the variables I can to provide the most comprehensive and personal medical service possible.  My practice focuses on respectful patient- oriented healthcare management, and collaborative decision making with my patients.  I am entirely independent and make my clinical decisions based on what is best for my patients, not the financial interests of investors or the health insurance industry.  My small staff is friendly, professional, and provides personal service you won’t find in a large clinic.

As I envisioned the practice of medicine while pursuing my training 30 years ago, I strive to provide my patients the full continuum of medical services which includes:  preventive healthcare, maintenance, critical clinical diagnosis, common sense medical evaluation and management, emotional health and support, and continuity through the full spectrum of medical care, including navigating my patients and their families through palliative and hospice care.  My mission is to keep my patients well and out of the hospital. If considering palliative/comfort, or hospice care, I may arrange for urgent home visits to avoid the ER/ hospital cycle.  Patients have access to me via my cell phone after hours and weekends for emergencies or urgent advice if symptoms or medical issues arise.  Telemedicine visits are also available from home, and currently paid for by Insurance, to encourage medical care during COVID Shelter-In-Place.

 Since my retainer practice allows me the time to provide services that are not part of customary insurance coverage, there is a reasonable annual fee (retainer) to participate.  This fee is the only way I can provide more time and services to a smaller panel of patients.  The practice is limited to a maximum of 500 patients (vs. a traditional panel of 1,500 – 2,000.)  The additional services, access, and amenities provided in the retainer include the following:

  •         Small and friendly Socially-Distanced waiting and exam rooms with available masks

  •         Immaculate office with HEPA Filtered Air, cleaned after each patient, & disinfected daily

  •        Telehealth visits by either Video or phone calls in lieu of physician office visits

  •         Annual 1-hour comprehensive physical examination.

  • Insurance will be billed for appropriate Evaluation and Management codes.

  •         Half-hour follow-up visits:  Insurance will be billed, appropriate co-pays apply

  •         Annual ‘Wellfit’ Fitness Evaluation at the Monterey Sports Center

  •         Friendly and accommodating medical staff who provide personalized service

  •         Smaller patient panel to enhance more timely and urgent appointments

  •         After-hour and weekend phone coverage directly by Dr. Kubica (excluding vacations

  •          Dr. Kubica’s personal cell phone for urgent off hour medical calls, for 24-hour access

  •         HIPAA-compliant Patient Portal access to the office and  lab results  via EPIC Electronic Medical

    Records

  •         Time during your visits to address your private and personal healthcare concerns

  •         Counseling regarding the completion of  Advance Healthcare Directives and Physician Orders for Life

    Sustaining Treatment (POLST) orders for DNR, etc. if appropriate

  •         Palliative Care and Hospice counseling and coordination.  I remain involved as the Hospice physician in

    charge.

  •         Prevention, wellness risk screening, and personalized healthcare plans

  •         Nutritious snacks  and beverages available in our well-appointed reception area

  •         Optional Executive Plan for home visits/ non-office based medical care for patients with physical or

    medical difficulties coming to the office, or are on hospice care.

 

Since the retainer fee is for direct access to Dr. Kubica and amenities not covered by insurance, the fee is not a substitute for insurance.  Insurance, including co-pays, will still be billed as is required by the insurance plans and Medicare and regulated by the insurance industry.

 

Insurances that I have contracted with include:  Medicare - as a Participating Provider, Aspire, Tricare, Cigna, Aetna, United Healthcare and Coastal.  I accept assignment on all secondary insurances for Medicare patients.  Patients with non-contracted insurances will be expected to pay the full balance of their accounts at the time of service and my office will courtesy bill your insurance and you will be directly reimbursed by your insurance carrier.  Unfortunately, some health care plans including Blue Shield (2016) decided to exclude ALL concierge medical physicians from being contracted providers.

 

Enrollment is annual from January 1 until December 31 each year.  For new patients joining the practice, the fee will be pro-rated quarterly for the remainder of the year. 

 My staff and I welcome the opportunity to provide you with outstanding personal medical care as we partner with you to achieve your health care goals. 

 

With sincerity and gratitude,

 

 

Susan M. Kubica, MD                                   (Revised 5/20)