Frequently Asked Questions
What is Direct Primary Care? What can you expect from Tortuga Med?
Direct primary care (DPC) is a new model of healthcare that delivers affordable and accessible primary healthcare for a low monthly membership fee. The fee is comparable to a gym membership or cell phone bill and members receive quality care without having to worry about extra costs, co-pays, and deductibles for routine care. Members of Tortuga Med also save hundreds of dollars on medications, labs and imaging as these services are provided at cost.
Most importantly, members have direct access to Dr. Jamie via phone, text, and email. As a member, you will receive same day or next business day appointments with no wait time. You will see Dr. Jamie for every appointment, fostering a relationship. Schedule a Meet and Greet to learn more!
What does the monthly membership cover?
Through a monthly membership, you will receive excellent primary care, and have open access to our services. You have direct access to Dr. Jamie via text, phone or email. Many members appreciate seeing the same provider every visit. You can schedule your routine wellness exam, sick visits, receive basic office procedures, as well as visits that will optimize your health needs. You will enjoy longer visits, no wait, and a more flexible schedule. Membership may also gain access to at-cost laboratory testing, at-cost imaging services, and wholesale medications.
Does Tortuga Med see patients of all ages?
Currently we are providing care for patients 18 years and older. Dr. Jamie may also admit adolescent teens to the practice on a case by case basis.
What if I decide to cancel my membership?
Understandably, there may come a time in which you need to cancel your membership. Cancellation is easy, just provide a 30-day notice for cancellation.
Do you take health insurance?
No, Tortuga Med does not take, nor bill health insurance. We are a monthly membership service, so you do not have to worry about extra hidden costs, co-pays, and deductibles for our services.
Do you bill Medicare or Medicaid?
No, Tortuga Med does not bill Medicare or Medicaid. Since Dr. Jamie has opted out of Medicare, you will need to sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor Tortuga Med will directly bill Medicare/Medicaid for any services provided by Tortuga Med. Medicare and Medicaid will pay for covered services such as laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations prescribed by Tortuga Med.
Should you keep your health insurance plan if you join Tortuga Med?
YES, KEEP YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE! While Dr. Jamie can take care of the majority of your healthcare needs, she recommends that you continue to carry health insurance to ensure financial assistance in the event of an emergency, hospitalization, or referral to a specialist. Patients typically carry catastrophic or “wrap-around” health insurance as it ends up costing much less than other polices.
How much does Tortuga Med cost?
Tortuga Med uses a subscription based membership model for healthcare services. Subscription fees are based on the age of the patient.
Current Basic Subscriptions:
18-39 years of age = $55/month
40-64 years of age = $75/month
65+ years of age = $100/month
More details on pricing and services included with the subscription can be found on our Services & Pricing page
When does the membership payment start?
After your complimentary meet and greet and you decide to join our service, Tortuga Med will charge your membership at the start of your first appointment or the beginning of the next billing cycle; whichever comes first.
How do I sign up for Tortuga Med?
Enroll through our Patient Portal or send us your Contact Info with your preferred contact method so we can set up a complimentary Meet and Greet. During the meet and greet you will meet Dr. Jamie, discuss your health concerns/needs, learn about services we provide, and receive a tour of the office. Dr. Jamie wants you to feel confident in your membership with Tortuga Med.
What if I am a part-time resident?
Dr. Jamie understands you may have healthcare providers in another state and may only need her services while you are in the area. Since Tortuga Med has patient base limit, she can hold your membership for $20 month while you are out of the area. When you return to the area, she will restart your membership fee and you can resume the health services at Tortuga Med.
What if I am healthy and rarely go to the doctor?
Congratulations, you are doing fantastic! Dr. Jamie loves that you are healthy and do not need to see a provider on a regular basis. Many of our members find peace of mind knowing they can text or call Dr. Jamie when they come down with an illness or when they have healthcare questions. They appreciate having relaxed visits and flexible scheduling. During your appointment, you will have time to discuss nutrition, sleep, physical activity, stress reduction methods, mental health, or other concerns that you may have. The goal at Tortuga Med goal is to help you optimize your health and avoid trips to the emergency room or an urgent care. Dr. Jamie also offers some additional services such as IV Therapy and Weight Loss Therapy. Please visit our Services & Pricing page for additional services.
Do you carry medications in your office?
Yes, Tortuga Med carries several types of medications in our office. Dr. Jamie dispenses some medications because we can buy them at wholesale pricing and and pass the savings to our patients at cost. This saves some patients hundreds of dollars a year. Tortuga Med does not carry controlled substances such as opiate/opioid pain medications, benzodiazepines, or stimulants. On a case by case basis, Dr. Jamie may prescribe pain medication for patients with acute pain caused by a broken bone or injury. Opiate/opioid medications and other controlled substances are prescribed electronically and sent to the patient’s preferred pharmacy to be filled. We do not provide pain management services for patients with chronic pain. A pain management specialist is the most appropriate provider to treat chronic pain. Medications and pricing can be found on the Services & Pricing page.
Do you draw blood in the office?
Yes, as part of your membership Dr. Jamie can draw blood in the office to be analyzed at an offsite laboratory. In some cases, Tortuga Med's laboratory costs are more affordable than insurance co-pays. Our list of labs and prices can be found on the Services & Pricing page.
Do you make house calls?
On a case by case basis, yes. Dr. Jamie may occasionally make house calls within a 10-mile radius of the office. We charge $150/house call. There is no additional charge for visits to our office. House calls are typically reserved for individuals that are physically unable to leave their homes. Depending on the level of care needed, Telehealth visits may also be an option.
Do you offer Telehealth visits?
Yes, your membership includes Telehealth visits however, it is dependent upon the level of care needed. It may be more appropriate for you to be seen in person.
What if an emergency arises and hospitalization is required? What role would a provider at Tortuga Med play in my health care while I’m in the emergency room or while hospitalized?
Dr. Jamie's focus is to keep you healthy and out of the hospital setting. However, if an emergency arises and you are hospitalized, Dr. Jamie will contact the emergency department to discuss your symptoms. She will collaborate care with the emergency room physician or the hospitalist and provide any pertinent records to ensure a smooth transition of care.
Do you have a wait time?
You will have little or no wait time for scheduled visits, the visit will be relaxed and the schedule is more flexible. Urgent and sick visits will generally be scheduled for the same day or the following business day. Dr. Jamie understands that your time is valuable and will do her best to work within your busy schedule.
What if I need to see a specialist?
Because Dr. Jamie is a family nurse practitioner, she is trained to care for many illnesses and diseases. With diverse methods, she can avoid or reduce specialty referrals. Having a limited patient base affords Dr. Jamie the time necessary to comprehend your diagnosis and provide current evidence-based healthcare to meet your needs. Having practiced healthcare in the Jupiter and Treasure Coast area for over a decade, Dr. Jamie worked with dozens of qualified specialists that she can recommend. Tortuga Med also uses e-consulting specialist services via RubiconMD . Using RubiconMD, Dr. Jamie and you can discuss your symptoms, labs, and imaging with any specialist to help with your diagnosis and treatment.
What if I need medical attention while I am away from home?
Since you see Dr. Jamie every visit, she gets to know you well. This means when you are sick away from home Dr. Jamie can often diagnose and treat your illness via a Telehealth, phone, or email. She can call in prescriptions to a pharmacy near you. In some cases, you may need to seek care at an urgent care.
Can I contact my health care provider after hours?
Yes, Tortuga Med recognizes that illness or injury often occurs after business hours. As a member you have direct communication with Dr. Jamie via text, phone, or email.
What happens if Dr. Jamie is not available or on vacation?
As a member of Tortuga Med, Dr. Jamie gets to know you well and many of your needs can be resolved by a phone call, text, or email. In the event where the problem requires you to be seen by a provider, you may need to visit an urgent care. All patients will be notified in advance of any planned vacations so medications can be refilled as necessary. There will be no office hours while Dr. Jamie is away.
How will I know if Tortuga Med is right for me?
Set up a complimentary meet & greet to meet Dr. Jamie, discuss your healthcare needs, learn more about our services, and tour the office. This way you can feel confident in your decision to be a part of Tortuga Med.
Still have questions?
Please send us a message from our Contact page or email us at Jamie@TortugaMed.com