No, we do not bill insurance. We are able to see you regardless of what kind of private insurance you have. We are also able to see patients with Medicare. Unfortunately, we are unable to see patients with Medicaid at this time due to state regulations. Payments are made directly to Essential Endocrine Health, with no surprise bills or hidden fees.

I opened a Direct Care practice specifically because of the limitations that insurance puts on doctors and patients. You have probably felt the effects of this in many offices, where visits are shorter and shorter, the doctor seems overworked, and you can’t be seen when you and your doctor think you should be. Unfortunately, insurance-based practices are volume-driven, and doctors must see more and more patients a day.  At a micropractice like Essential Endocrine Health, a smaller patient panel means that quality wins out over quantity. All patients get the benefit of a doctor who has time for you, an office that feels calm and welcoming, visits that are long enough to cover all your endocrine concerns, and a return to the kind of medical care that we all deserve.

Membership covers all your visits , as frequently as needed and for as much time as we need. However, there are so many other benefits to membership. It covers communication with me between visits whether by phone, video, or text. It allows you to access care when you need it. I highly recommend membership for those patients with diabetes, obesity, and menopause care. It covers my time spent doing prior authorizations on your behalf, insurance paperwork, care coordination with other doctors, review of labs, refills, and more. Much of the medical care you receive happens outside of the office visit and that is what membership is meant to cover. Also, you are helping to support the practice. I could not practice medicine this way without your support!

Yes - the reality of our world today is that insurance is still needed to protect you and cover primary care, hospitalizations, medications, and surgeries. Think of it like car insurance: you keep your car insurance to cover unexpected major costs like accidents, but you likely also pay out-of-pocket for maintenance or other minor expenses.

Yes! You can use your insurance for labs, medications, and imaging as you usually would. I also have access to lower cost labs through Quest if you decide to self-pay.

Yes - in many ways! High deductible plans are more and more common, and if you have one you’ll likely spend less in a Direct Care practice than you would with an insurance-based specialist. The lack of price transparency in corporate and insurance healthcare models means you never know what kind of bill might come after a visit. With our practice, the cost of your Membership or Non-Member visit will also be clear and known before your visit. We will also be able to save you money by providing access to low-cost labs.

All medical emergencies should be handled by calling 911 or going to the emergency room. Members will be given access to several contact methods to reach Dr. Whelan for urgent issues that need to be addressed before the next business day.

You can pay right through the online electronic medical record. We accept credit/debit cards, ACH payment, and checks.

Yes, you can cancel anytime, right online. However, please be aware that there will be a re-enrollment fee if you decide to become a member again later.

Yes, I can access your records from Yale online and can obtain records from any of your other physicians. I am committed to keeping your other doctors up to date and am happy to coordinate care with them.

Dr. Whelan is a fellowship-trained endocrinologist who practices evidence-based medicine. We do not provide prescriptions for “bio-identical” hormones; compounded medications; and other therapies which are not FDA regulated. If you have a diagnosis not listed on the Services page, please reach out to discuss if Essential Endocrine Health can offer appropriate care. We also do not provide primary care services.