Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional primary care physicians may be responsible for thousands of patients. That can contribute to shorter appointments, longer waits, and limited opportunities to communicate with your physician outside an office visit.

Blue Ocean intentionally maintains a smaller patient panel. This gives us more time to know our patients, offer same- or next-day appointments when possible, and provide a more personal approach to primary care.

We also offer a broad range of in-office services, including Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT), skin procedures, joint and muscle care, labs and testing, and more.

Both models may provide greater physician access and a more personal healthcare experience, but they are not necessarily the same.

Direct Primary Care practices generally charge a recurring membership fee for primary care and do not bill insurance for services covered by that membership. Concierge practices may have different fee structures and may continue billing insurance for medical services.

At Blue Ocean, your monthly membership provides access to our Direct Primary Care services without insurance billing for care provided within the practice.

Membership includes your routine primary care visits with no office visit copays, including preventive care, sick visits, chronic disease management, wellness exams, many physicals, and other primary care services.

Members also receive longer appointments, same- or next-day availability when possible, direct physician communication for appropriate medical concerns, and access to discounted labs, medications, procedures, and treatments.

New members also receive a complimentary initial Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment session.

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Individual membership is $105 per month.

Households with three or more members can enroll for $300 per month.

Certain procedures, laboratory tests, medications, pathology, and other services may have an additional transparent fee.

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No. Blue Ocean membership is month-to-month and does not require a long-term contract.

Because Direct Primary Care is intended to create an ongoing relationship between you and your physician rather than provide occasional episodic care, a re-enrollment fee applies if you cancel your membership and later decide to return.

Yes. Blue Ocean provides comprehensive primary care for children and adults through different stages of life.

Households with three or more members can take advantage of our family membership rate.

Routine member office visits are included in your monthly membership, so there is no office visit copay each time you see your Blue Ocean physician.

Some procedures, laboratory testing, medications, pathology, supplies, and other services have an additional fee. We keep these costs transparent so you’ll know what to expect.

The value of Direct Primary Care isn’t based solely on the number of appointments you have each year.

Membership gives you an established relationship with a physician who knows your medical history and is accessible when a health concern does arise. It also removes common barriers to preventive care, allowing you to reach out or schedule an appointment without worrying about another office visit copay.

For many members, that access and peace of mind are some of the most valuable parts of membership.

Yes.

Blue Ocean does not bill insurance for care provided within our office, but you can continue using your health insurance for outside medical care such as specialists, hospitals, imaging, surgery, prescriptions, and other covered services.

Health insurance and Direct Primary Care serve different purposes.

Insurance can help protect you from larger medical expenses. Your Blue Ocean membership provides accessible everyday primary care with longer appointments, direct physician access, no office visit copays, and a physician who has the opportunity to know you over time.

Rather than relying on insurance to manage every aspect of your healthcare, DPC allows your primary care relationship to exist directly between you and your physician.

Blue Ocean does not bill insurance for services provided within our Direct Primary Care practice.

Removing insurance billing from the relationship between the practice and our patients is what allows the DPC model to work differently.

You can still maintain and use insurance for medical care outside Blue Ocean.

Direct Primary Care is not health insurance.

Your Blue Ocean membership is designed to provide comprehensive primary care, but it does not replace coverage for major medical expenses such as emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, advanced imaging, or specialty treatment.

We recommend maintaining appropriate healthcare coverage for needs outside the scope of our practice.

Yes. HSA funds can be used for eligible Direct Primary Care membership expenses under current federal rules.

HSA eligibility and tax circumstances can vary, so consult your benefits administrator or tax professional if you have questions about your specific situation.

Because Blue Ocean intentionally maintains a smaller patient panel, members can typically access same- or next-day appointments when needed and when availability allows.

Our appointments are also designed to give you more time with your physician rather than rushing through your concerns.

New members begin with an extended initial appointment of approximately one hour.

Established patient appointments are typically scheduled for approximately 30 minutes, allowing time to discuss your concerns, ask questions, and develop an appropriate care plan.

Yes. Direct physician access is an important part of the Blue Ocean model.

Members can communicate directly with their physician for appropriate medical questions and concerns. Depending on the situation, your concern may be addressed remotely or we may recommend coming into the office for an evaluation.

Yes. Current members can use the Blue Ocean patient portal to schedule appointments and access other account resources.

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Blue Ocean Direct Primary Care provides comprehensive primary care for children and adults.

We provide preventive care, acute and sick care, chronic disease management, Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment, skin procedures, joint and muscle care, laboratory testing, in-office medications, professional supplements, physicals, and other common office-based procedures.

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Blue Ocean can be your first point of contact for a wide range of healthcare concerns.

That includes common illnesses and infections, minor injuries, preventive healthcare, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid conditions, COPD, musculoskeletal concerns, skin conditions, hormone management, and many other health needs commonly addressed through primary care.

If your condition requires care outside our scope, we’ll help determine the appropriate next step.

Sometimes, but perhaps less often than you might expect.

Blue Ocean provides a broad range of primary care, treatments, and in-office procedures. Many concerns that might otherwise result in another appointment can be evaluated or treated here.

When specialized expertise, imaging, surgery, or another service is necessary, we’ll help coordinate an appropriate referral.

Yes. Blue Ocean provides primary care for children as well as adults, allowing multiple generations of a family to receive care within the same practice.

Yes. Blue Ocean provides routine women’s preventive and primary care, including wellness exams and appropriate preventive screenings.

For services outside the scope of our practice, we’ll help coordinate care with the appropriate specialist.

Yes. Chronic disease management is a core part of primary care.

Blue Ocean manages conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid disorders, COPD, and many other ongoing medical concerns.

The DPC model can be especially helpful for chronic disease management because it provides more time for follow-up, monitoring, questions, and adjustments to your care plan.

Yes. Hormone evaluation and management may be available when medically appropriate.

Your physician can evaluate your symptoms, medical history, and laboratory results to determine whether treatment should be considered.

Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment is a hands-on approach used by specially trained Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine to evaluate and treat dysfunction involving the muscles, joints, and other structures of the body.

Dr. Kent Lofley is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine who actively practices OMT and maintains board certification in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

OMT may be used as part of the evaluation and treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal concerns, including problems involving pain, mobility, and function.

Whether OMT is appropriate depends on your individual condition and medical history. Dr. Lofley can evaluate your concerns and determine whether Osteopathic treatment may be beneficial as part of your care.

Every new Blue Ocean member receives a complimentary initial OMT session.

Additional OMT sessions are available to members at discounted rates.

Blue Ocean performs a variety of minor skin procedures in the office, including skin biopsies, cryotherapy, removal of certain cysts and lipomas, minor excisions, abscess drainage, wound repair, and treatment of other appropriate skin concerns.

Some procedures may involve an additional member fee or outside pathology cost.

Yes. Depending on your condition, Blue Ocean offers treatments including joint injections, trigger point injections, steroid injections, dry needling, Prolotherapy, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment.

An evaluation is necessary to determine which treatment, if any, is appropriate.

Yes. Blue Ocean provides access to hundreds of routine and specialized laboratory tests.

Members can often access laboratory testing at significantly discounted cash rates. Testing may include routine preventive labs, chronic disease monitoring, hormone testing, thyroid testing, metabolic testing, and specialized or functional medicine testing when appropriate.

Select medications and injections are available directly through the practice when appropriate.

Members may also have prescriptions sent to the pharmacy of their choice.

If your condition requires specialized care, Blue Ocean can refer you to an appropriate specialist and continue serving as your primary care physician.

Your outside specialist care can be billed through your health insurance or handled according to the payment arrangement you have with that provider.

Blue Ocean does not perform X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds in the office.

When imaging is medically necessary, we’ll help direct you to an appropriate outside facility.

Blue Ocean does not provide inpatient hospital care or maintain hospital privileges.

If hospitalization is necessary, you’ll receive care through the appropriate hospital team. Blue Ocean can continue providing your primary care before and after hospitalization and help coordinate follow-up care.

Direct Primary Care does not replace emergency medical services.

For a true or life-threatening medical emergency, call 911 or seek care at the nearest appropriate emergency department. Do not delay emergency treatment while attempting to contact the practice.

Start by selecting Become a Member on our website and completing the enrollment process.

Once enrolled, our team will help schedule your first appointment and provide information about what to expect.

Your initial visit is approximately one hour and gives us time to review your medical history, discuss current concerns, and begin developing your personalized approach to care.

Your first appointment is intentionally longer than a typical primary care visit.

We’ll review your medical and family history, discuss medications and current health concerns, complete the appropriate evaluation, talk about preventive care, and establish a plan based on your individual health needs.

You’ll also learn how to contact the office and use the resources available to you as a member.

New members receive a complimentary introductory Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment session as well.

Blue Ocean serves individuals and families who value having a long-term relationship with their primary care physician and want easier access to care.

DPC may be especially appealing to families, people managing chronic conditions, patients who value preventive care, and anyone frustrated by rushed appointments or difficulty accessing their physician.