2026 Enhanced Care Access and support program

2026 Enhanced Care Access & Support Program 

For more than 15 years, Osteopathic Family Medicine has been committed to providing thoughtful, relationship-based primary care. Our goal has always been to give you the time, access, and support you need to stay healthy and to help guide you through the healthcare system when care becomes complex. 

Over the years, we have continued to expand the services we provide—often without additional reimbursement from insurance—because we believe this level of care matters. In addition to treating your medical needs, our providers and staff go beyond the standard primary care practice to offer additional services such as longer visits, same-day appointments, phone and video visits, house calls for patients who are unable to come to the office, direct communication with providers, assistance with medical forms, and care coordination.  (See This Link for more information on Value Based Care from the American Academy of Family Physicians)

At the same time, the cost of running an independent primary care practice and the cost of living in Rhode Island has increased significantly. Insurance reimbursements in Rhode Island remain among the lowest in the region, while expenses such as staffing, technology, malpractice insurance, and regulatory requirements continue to rise. (See This Link for more information from the State of Rhode Island) 

Despite these pressures, our priority has been to avoid shortening visits, overloading providers, or expanding our patient panel in ways that would dilute care. 

To allow us to continue providing this level of access and attention—and to maintain long-term stability for our providers and staff—we will be implementing an Enhanced Care Access & Support Program Fee beginning in July 2026. 

Program Fee 

  • $155 per year for individuals
  • $255 per year for households

 Patients enrolled in state Medicaid programs and others listed below are not required to participate. Insurance will continue to be billed for covered visits and services, just as it is now. 

What This Program Supports This program allows us to continue providing: 

  • 20-minute sick and follow-up visits
  • 40-minute physicals, well-child checks, hospital discharge and annual wellness visits
  • Same-day appointments when medically appropriate
  • Convenience of phone and video visits when clinically appropriate
  • 24/7 on-call access with a provider from our practice
  • House calls for patients who are unable to travel to the office
  • Direct communication with your care team via email or text messaging
  • Completion of medical forms, referrals, and prior authorizations
  • Continued investment in technology that improves quality of care and documentation
  • Non-Primary care patients (Botox only, Manipulation only, HRT only treatments)
  • A stable, independent practice where patients feel welcome and not treated as a number.

Many practices now offer similar services through concierge models costing $2000-$5000 per year. Our goal is not to move in that direction, but rather to preserve high-quality, relationship-based primary care at a level that remains accessible to our community. 

Exemptions 

The following patient groups will not be charged for the Enhanced Care Access & Support Program.  If you do not fall into one of these categories, but have a financial hardship please complete the Financial Hardship Request form (see link below).  If you need a payment plan, please contact our office. 

  • Patients under age 26
  • Patients who are either serving in current active duty or a veteran of the armed services
  • Patients enrolled in Medicaid Plans
  • Patients on hospice or in long-term care facilities
  • Patients with severe disability on SSI
  • Non-Primary care patients (patients who only see us for Botox, Manipulations, or HRT visits)
  • Patients who certify income less than 200% of federal poverty level
  • Patients new to our practice, who had their first visit after July 1, 2025

If you are in one of the above groups, please Click here to print and complete a Financial Hardship Exception Request form.  Email, Mail or bring to our office at 55 Cherry Lane, Wakefield, RI.

We recognize that many of our exempt patients may still wish to support the continued availability of independent, community-based primary care. While participation in the Enhanced Care Access & Support Program is not required for exempt patients, voluntary contributions of any amount are welcome and help us maintain the personalized care, access, and services our patients value. Another meaningful way to support primary care in Rhode Island is to contact your state legislators and advocate for fair reimbursement rates from insurance companies and greater investment in primary care services. Strong primary care improves health outcomes, reduces healthcare costs, and helps preserve access to local medical practices within our community.

We understand that any change like this raises questions. We encourage you to speak with us during a visit or by email if you would like to discuss how this applies to you or your family.  Thank you for trusting us with your care. We remain committed to providing the highest quality primary care while ensuring the long-term stability of our practice and providers. 

Please expect your Enhanced Care Access & Support Program invoice/statement in early July.  Patients wishing to complete their payment early, please click here, be sure to enter your name and label the payment as "support fee" on the submission page.