Direct Primary Care is a membership model where you pay a flat monthly fee directly to your doctor in exchange for unlimited primary care. There are no insurance claims, no co-pays, and no per-visit fees. Think of it like a gym membership, except for your health. You get consistent access to one doctor who actually knows you, without any of the billing complexity of traditional insurance-based care.

In a traditional practice, your doctor manages 2,000 or more patients. Appointments are rushed, waits are long, and you often see whoever is available. At Skona Health, the panel is kept under 600 members. That means same or next day appointments, visits that are not timed, and a doctor who knows your history without needing to reread your chart every time you walk in.

Your Skona Health membership covers all primary care services. For specialist visits, hospitalizations, surgery, or imaging, you would use your health insurance as you normally would. Most DPC members pair their membership with a high-deductible health plan for catastrophic coverage, which keeps overall healthcare costs significantly lower than traditional insurance alone.

No. You do not need insurance to join Skona Health. Your monthly membership fee covers all primary care and is completely separate from insurance. That said, we recommend maintaining some form of insurance for situations outside primary care such as emergencies, hospitalizations, or specialist care.

Yes. As of 2026, DPC membership fees are eligible to be paid using a Health Savings Account when paired with a qualifying high-deductible health plan. This means you can use pre-tax dollars to cover your monthly membership, which makes the financial case for DPC even stronger. We recommend confirming with your HSA administrator to verify eligibility under your specific plan.

No. Skona Health is a pure direct primary care practice and does not bill insurance for any services. This is intentional. Removing insurance from the primary care relationship is what allows us to keep overhead low, spend more time with patients, and offer pricing that is transparent and predictable.

Most issues are addressed same day or next day. For urgent concerns, members can reach Dr. Krishnan directly by phone or text and many situations are resolved without an in-person visit at all. You will never be told the next available appointment is three weeks away.

Members have direct access to Dr. Krishnan by phone, text, and secure messaging. There are no phone trees, no front desk filters, and no middlemen. That direct line is one of the most valued parts of the DPC model and one of the things our members appreciate most.

Your membership covers unlimited in-person and telehealth visits, same or next day scheduling, direct access to your doctor, annual wellness exams, preventive care and screenings, chronic disease management, and wholesale lab pricing. There are no co-pays or visit fees on top of your monthly rate.

Yes. Memberships are month to month and can be cancelled with 30 days notice. There are no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. We believe the value of Skona Health speaks for itself and we want members to stay because the care is excellent, not because they are locked in.

The weight management program is a dedicated obesity medicine membership at $100 per month. It includes GLP-1 therapy and medication management, nutrition counseling tailored to your dietary background and preferences, monthly progress visits, and metabolic lab monitoring. It is available as a standalone program or paired with a primary care membership. Dr. Krishnan’s board certification in Obesity Medicine and brings a clinical and evidence-based approach to weight management.

The membership fee covers your visits, consultations, and ongoing management. Medication costs are separate and vary depending on the specific GLP-1 prescribed, whether you use insurance or if you would like to pay out of pocket. We work with you to find the most cost-effective approach and will discuss all options transparently at your visit.

Yes, Medicare patients are welcome at Skona Health. Because we are a direct primary care practice and do not bill insurance, Dr. Krishnan has opted out of Medicare billing for primary care services. Your monthly membership fee covers all primary care at Skona Health. You would continue to use Medicare for specialist care, hospitalizations, and other services outside primary care. A Medicare private contract will be signed at enrollment which outlines this arrangement clearly.

The easiest first step is to join the waitlist or book a free 15-minute meet and greet call. Skona Health opens in Fall 2026 and founding members receive priority enrollment and a locked-in rate. Once enrollment opens, you will complete a short membership agreement, set up your monthly payment, and schedule your first visit. The whole process is simple and straightforward.