Some thoughts on accepting insurance...

When I was taking pre-medical courses, preparing for medical school, I shadowed several rural family doctors and was inspired of stories of older physicians, before the time of managed care, who would accept payment in the form of farm produce like eggs, milk meat and other products or services, like tax preparation or painting or even firewood. While it might seem old fashioned this is one way Bluebird Wellness can be a model for community building and sustainability -- and this is something that wouldn't be possible in a corporate/insurance based model.

I've worked as Family Physician within the insurance based system for a number of years and while it is wonderful for patients to have low or no copays for visits, there are often hidden costs to accepting and using medical insurance that compromise the quality of care. Many of us know that the healthcare system has significant challenges and have experienced this one way or another first hand or through a friend or loved one that has struggled with the insurance system.

I love caring for seniors, perhaps most of all, and want to include them in my practice but the administrative burden of accepting MaineCare and Medicare are more than I can take on at this time. This may be an option in the future as the practice grows and can support more employees. We have affordable membership models that give patients unlimited access to visits, including home visits and acupuncture. We also accept trades for goods and services offered. Please inquire about sliding scale fees as well. I will never turn away a patient for lack of ability to pay. If you want to see me, we want to see you!