The IRS code that defines Qualified Expenses does not specifically permit the periodic fee structure of Direct Primary Care or Primary Care Memberships. Patients who wish to utilize HSA or FSA funds to pay for the periodic fee should consult with their benefits representative or accountant.

Hospital admissions will be managed by the hospital’s team. Because Dr. Tranchemontagne takes the time to fully assess problems in the context of the whole patient, many issues can be more thoughtfully managed in the primary care setting. We avoid reflexively generating costly referrals that can further fragment your care.  When we do seek input from other experts, Dr. Tranchemontagne makes the time to communicate directly with specialists or hospitalists, rather than relying solely on faxed office notes to coordinate your care plan. She will personally take the time to ensure that you fully understand the role and advice of the specialists that you encounter.

Dr. Tranchemontagne does not admit patients to the hospital. She maintains privileges at  Southern New Hampshire Health, where she may visit her patients, access their medical records, and participate regularly in care planning, as appropriate, with the admitting clinical team. Her role is to advocate for patients and ensure that patients receive the highest level of care coordination from admission through discharge and follow-up.  She will take the time to be sure that you understand your inpatient care each step of the way. 

Yes, there are some situations in which the best way to deliver care to a patient is to visit them at home. Because of the added time and travel expense, these visits are available on a limited basis at the discretion of Dr. Tranchemontagne, and may be subject to an additional fee.

Dr. Tranchemontagne is committed to providing personalized care to her patients. Patients are able to directly reach out to Dr. Tranchemontagne after business hours for urgent matters that cannot wait until the next business day or are of a sensitive or timely nature that is not appropriate for text or email.  Dr. Tranchemontagne asks that patients understand that their doctor is also a real person with a large family, who strives to lead her patients by example with an appropriate work-life balance. In the event of an emergency, patients should not try to contact Dr. Tranchemontagne first.  They should call 911 or proceed to the emergency room and contact Dr. Tranchemontagne once the condition has stabilized.

We understand that for many patients, 9-5 office hours would require them to take time off from work to visit the doctor.  Just ask and we’ll make every effort to find a convenient time to meet your needs through an office or virtual visit.

Dr. Tranchemontagne does periodically close the office to attend an educational conference or to vacation with family. During a scheduled absence, arrangements will be made for an alternate physician or qualified licensed clinician to respond to phone calls to meet the urgent needs of patients. In the event of an unscheduled absence, we will make reasonable attempts to provide alternative coverage.

Yes.  We are happy to schedule a complimentary visit for you to meet Dr. Tranchemontagne and see if BetterNow Medicine would be a good fit for you.

We want all of our patients to have an opportunity to fully review and understand what we do and how we do it at BetterNow Medicine. For this reason we have a detailed service agreement which outlines our policies.  Ongoing longitudinal care is a core principle of our Personalized Primary Care model, which relies on monthly fees in order to sustain the practice.  Termination and re-enrollment is strongly discouraged.

We believe that immunizations are one of the greatest medical advances of the last century, and we require that pediatric patients be immunized according to the CDC recommended schedule.

However, because of the cost associated with obtaining and storing vaccines, we are not able to offer the vaccinations in the office.  We are happy to arrange for convenient alternatives for adult and pediatric immunizations.

At BetterNow Medicine, our physicians accept insurance. A monthly primary care membership ensures access to your doctor. Your BetterNow Medicine physician will continue to bill your insurance for covered medical services, such as office visits, and charge copays, co-insurances, and deductibles as usual.

The Personalized Primary Care program at BetterNow Medicine goes beyond the standard annual physical exam provided by insurance. Our program includes comprehensive lab tests, screenings, and diagnostics that can detect health issues earlier and more accurately than traditional exams. These tests, combined with personalized counseling from your physician, help create a proactive approach to managing your health and achieving your wellness goals.

No, the membership for the Personalized Primary Care program is not typically covered by insurance. Some HSA or FSA plans can be used for the access fee, please contact your insurer directly to discuss this.

Depending on the circumstances, you may be eligible for a prorated refund. We strive for high patient satisfaction, and we believe that you will be satisfied with the program and your overall healthcare experience.