Vancouver Direct Primary Care | Vancouver, WA
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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Vancouver Direct Primary Care

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Your Questions, Answered

We know choosing a new healthcare model comes with questions. Below you’ll find answers to the most common questions about our services, membership, lab pricing, and what to expect as a Vancouver Direct Primary Care member.

Don’t see your question? Contact us — we’re happy to help.

Primary & Preventive Care

Most adults benefit from a comprehensive physical exam once a year, though your provider may recommend more frequent checkups depending on your age, health history, or any ongoing conditions.
If you are a new patient, bring a list of any current medications, your insurance card if applicable, and any relevant health records or lab results from previous providers. If you are an existing member, your provider already has your history on file.
Yes. Physical exams and wellness visits are included in your Vancouver Direct Primary Care membership. There are no per-visit fees for your annual checkup — it is part of what your membership is designed to give you.
Absolutely. Your provider can order bloodwork, cholesterol panels, blood sugar tests, and other screenings during or after your visit. As a DPC member, you also benefit from significantly reduced lab costs through our steeply discounted cash rates.
Yes. Wellness visits, routine screenings, and preventive care consultations are all included in your membership — with no additional per-visit fees. As a member, you also benefit from steeply discounted cash rates on any lab work ordered during your visit.
Absolutely. In fact, patients managing chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol benefit most from consistent preventive care. Regular monitoring, early intervention, and lifestyle support can slow or prevent the progression of many chronic conditions.

We care for patients ages 16 and older, so most of your family can get their preventive care right here, from teens to seniors. For children under 16, we are happy to point you toward a trusted pediatric provider.

Your provider will walk you through any findings in plain language, explain what they mean, and outline the next steps — whether that is a follow-up test, a referral, or a change to your care plan. You will never be left with results and no guidance.

Chronic Condition Management

The only reliable way to know is to have your blood pressure measured regularly. Because hypertension rarely causes obvious symptoms, many people do not know they have it until it is caught during a routine checkup.
A reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher is generally considered elevated according to current guidelines, and 140/90 mmHg or above is classified as stage 2 hypertension. Your provider will interpret your readings in the context of your full health history.
Not necessarily. Some patients are able to reduce or discontinue medication after making sustained lifestyle changes. Your provider will have an honest, ongoing conversation with you about where your numbers are and what the right long-term approach looks like.
The only reliable way to know is through blood testing — specifically a fasting glucose test or an A1C test. An A1C of 5.7%–6.4% is prediabetes; 6.5% or higher on two separate tests is generally diagnostic for type 2 diabetes.
Yes. Blood sugar monitoring, diabetes treatment planning, medication management, and follow-up visits are all part of your membership with no per-visit fees. Lab work — including A1C testing — is available at steeply discounted cash rates, or covered by your insurance.
Asthma is typically characterized by recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath — particularly at night, during exercise, or after exposure to allergens or cold air. The only reliable way to confirm a diagnosis is through lung function testing with a provider.
COPD is typically diagnosed through spirometry, which measures how much air you can exhale and how quickly. Your provider will also review your symptom history, smoking history, and any relevant imaging.
Occasional heartburn — triggered by a specific meal — usually resolves on its own. GERD is a chronic condition in which acid reflux occurs regularly, typically more than twice a week, and causes persistent symptoms that affect quality of life.
Tension headaches typically cause a dull, steady pressure. Migraines tend to be more severe, often one-sided, pulsing or throbbing, and accompanied by nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
A thorough thyroid panel goes beyond a basic TSH test to include free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies — giving your provider a much more complete picture of how your thyroid is functioning and whether an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s may be involved.
This is very common. TSH can fall within the standard reference range while T3, T4, or antibody levels tell a different story. Symptoms also matter — a provider who only looks at a single lab value may miss what a fuller picture would reveal.
Yes. Evaluation, treatment planning, medication management, and follow-up visits for all chronic conditions are included in your membership with no per-visit fees. Lab work is available at steeply discounted cash rates, or covered by your insurance.

Diagnostics & Lab Testing

A standard lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides. At Vancouver Direct Primary Care, we may also include additional markers like hsCRP to give you a more complete heart risk picture.

Traditional lipid panels typically require a 9 to 12 hour fast for the most accurate triglyceride readings. Your provider will let you know exactly how to prepare based on which tests are being ordered.

Colorectal cancer screening is generally recommended starting at age 45; breast cancer mammography typically begins at 40; cervical cancer screening starts at 21; and prostate cancer screening discussions usually begin around age 50. Your provider will review your individual risk factors.

Yes. Your sexual health screening and STI testing results are part of your confidential medical record and are handled with the same strict privacy as all other health information. Results are never shared without your explicit consent.

The appropriate testing window varies by infection. HIV is most accurate 18–45 days after exposure; chlamydia and gonorrhea are typically detectable within 1–2 weeks; syphilis may take up to 3 months. Your provider will advise you on the right timing for each test.

A comprehensive panel typically includes total testosterone, free testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH, and estradiol. Checking these markers together gives your provider a full picture of your testosterone status.

For the most accurate testosterone results, blood draws are ideally done in the morning between 7 and 10 AM when levels are naturally at their peak. Your provider will give you specific preparation instructions based on which tests are being ordered.

It depends on which tests are being ordered. Fasting is typically required for fasting glucose, A1C, and lipid panel results — usually 8 to 12 hours. Other blood work, such as a CBC or CMP, generally does not require fasting.

Most routine lab results are available within 24 to 72 hours. Your provider will review your results as soon as they are available and reach out with any findings that require prompt attention.

Lab consultations, blood work orders, and result reviews are all included in your membership with no per-visit fees. The lab work itself is available at steeply discounted cash rates, or covered by your insurance — often a fraction of what the same tests would cost through traditional insurance billing.

Weight Management & GLP-1

Medical weight loss begins with clinical evaluation — labs, metabolic testing, medication review, and a thorough health history — to understand the specific factors driving your weight before recommending any intervention. Your provider tailors a plan based on your biology, not a standardized protocol.
FDA-approved weight loss medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been evaluated in large clinical trials and are considered safe and effective for appropriate patients. Your provider will review potential side effects and contraindications with you before prescribing.
Most patients begin to notice reduced appetite within the first few weeks. Meaningful weight loss — typically 5% or more of body weight — is usually observed by weeks 8 to 12, with more significant results accumulating over 6 to 12 months as the dose is gradually increased.
The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal — including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation — particularly during the early dose-escalation phase. Starting at a low dose and titrating slowly significantly reduces their frequency and severity.
Yes. Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg) is FDA-approved specifically for chronic weight management in adults without diabetes who meet BMI criteria. Your provider will evaluate your BMI, health history, and overall candidacy before recommending the appropriate GLP-1 medication.
Yes. Weight loss consultations, metabolic evaluations, dietary guidance, and follow-up visits are all included in your membership. Lab work is available at steeply discounted cash rates, or covered by your insurance. Prescription weight loss medications, if prescribed, are billed separately.

Mental Health Care

Yes. Primary care providers are qualified to prescribe and manage medications for common mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and sleep disorders. In fact, primary care is where the majority of mental health medications in the United States are prescribed.
The key distinguishing features of an anxiety disorder are that the anxiety is persistent, feels uncontrollable, is often disproportionate to the actual situation, and significantly interferes with daily life — work, relationships, sleep, or activities you used to enjoy.
Yes. Therapy — particularly cognitive behavioral therapy — is a highly effective first-line treatment for many anxiety disorders, often producing more durable results than medication alone. Lifestyle factors including sleep, exercise, and stress management also play a significant role.
A rough patch typically has a clear trigger and resolves as circumstances improve. Depression persists beyond the triggering event, often without a clear cause, and significantly affects daily functioning over a period of weeks or more.
For most patients, no. Antidepressants are designed to restore neurochemical balance in ways that lift the floor of depression so your natural personality and emotional range can return. If you experience emotional blunting, that is a reason to discuss alternatives with your provider, not to avoid treatment altogether.
An adult ADHD evaluation involves a thorough clinical interview about your symptom history, onset, and functional impairment across multiple life domains. Your provider will use validated adult ADHD rating scales and assess for co-occurring conditions including anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders.
CBT-I is the gold-standard, first-line treatment for chronic insomnia. It is a structured behavioral approach that addresses the thoughts and habits that perpetuate insomnia. Studies show CBT-I produces more durable improvements than sleep medication and has no dependency risk.
Yes. Mental health screenings, evaluations, medication management, follow-up visits, and care coordination are all included in your membership with no per-visit fees.

Men's Health

Your first appointment is a comprehensive male wellness evaluation. Your provider will review your full health history, order appropriate baseline labs, discuss any symptoms or concerns, screen for common conditions based on your age and risk factors, and build a picture of your health that informs your ongoing care.

Yes — and that is actually the best time to come in. Many of the most significant health risks for men develop without symptoms: hypertension, high cholesterol, prediabetes, testosterone decline, and early-stage cancers can all be present without any obvious signs.

Most men begin noticing improvements in energy, mood, and libido within 3 to 6 weeks, with more significant changes in body composition and sexual function appearing over 3 to 6 months. The full effect on muscle mass and bone density may take 6 to 12 months.

Yes — exogenous testosterone suppresses the pituitary signals that drive sperm production. For men who may want to conceive in the future, alternatives such as clomiphene citrate or HCG can sometimes address low T symptoms while preserving fertility.

Yes. Psychological contributors to ED — including performance anxiety, depression, and relationship stress — are among the most common causes, particularly in younger men. The anxiety itself triggers a physiological stress response that actively interferes with the mechanism of erection.

Finasteride typically takes 3 to 6 months of consistent daily use before any meaningful slowing of hair loss is apparent, with regrowth usually becoming visible at 12 to 24 months. Stopping medication causes the hair loss process to resume within months.

Most guidelines recommend beginning prostate cancer screening discussions — including PSA testing — at age 50 for average-risk men, or earlier for men with elevated risk factors such as a family history of prostate cancer or African American heritage (age 40 to 45).

Yes. Comprehensive male wellness evaluations, preventive screenings, hormonal and sexual health management, mental health support, and follow-up visits are all included in your membership. Lab work is available at steeply discounted cash rates, or covered by your insurance.

Ready to Get Started?

Vancouver Direct Primary Care membership is $149/month — no insurance required, no per-visit fees. Get the primary care you deserve.

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