PFMC New Membership Practice
After considerable thought and deliberation, PFMC changed its business model to a “membership
practice” in 2022. This difficult decision was made due to the changing landscape of medicine. Increasing
technology needs, government oversight and regulation, and lower insurance reimbursements now
threaten our ability to continue to provide our current level of personalized care. At PFMC, we are
committed to retaining our independence which we feel allows our patients to receive outstanding care.
By creating a membership practice we will be able to continue to support your healthcare needs in a
way that doesn’t compromise our values as physicians.
Membership practices are no longer unusual, many practitioners have switched to this model with
success measured by increased patient and doctor satisfaction. We will provide services and care
beyond what your traditional insurance covers. You still retain your current insurance. Billing is
unchanged including copays and deductibles when applicable. All services that your insurance covers
will not be affected. Membership is completely separate from your current insurance. With regard to
your current health insurance including Medicare, nothing changes. We realize this decision will not be
popular with some patients and families; many we have been seeing for three generations. Any cost
increase to our patients is significant, we don’t take this lightly. We will keep membership costs as
nominal as possible.
Membership may provide some services not offered by insurance plans. Examples include: office
appointments not limited to one issue, weight loss management, travel counseling, non-emergency care
when traveling outside the U.S., coordination of community care services and referrals, and cost-
effective prescription management. We also offer in-house billing and triage with timely appointments
as needed. We are also excited to start a quarterly “Med Talk”, an in-person, after-hours informal
presentation and open discussion on health topics such as weight loss, tobacco cessation, aesthetic
treatments, and chronic disease management, such as diabetes. This will help inspire a “proactive”
rather than “reactive” approach to improving your health.
Your “Care Team” will be led by your physician and will include a Physician Assistant/Nurse Practitioner
and Medical Assistants/Nurses, Your team will be working closely together to ensure prompt, efficient,
and comprehensive care. You will have an opportunity to enjoy an ongoing relationship with your care
team.
Membership Fees are as follows:
To sign up, please contact our billing department at 253-851-5121. We thank you for your continued
support!
Sincerely, Erin Dodge MD, Joan Halley DO, Vince Leverett MD, and Jennifer Smith MD.