Direct Pay - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is a direct pay practice?

A direct pay (cash pay) practice is an innovative yet traditional way to run a medical practice. We do not participate with any insurance or government healthcare program, which means that we are third-party free. Patients pay a reasonable fee, in full, for their care at the time of their visit. We do not work for insurance companies or the government. We work for our patients.

2. Are you out-of-network?

Yes. Dr. Richard Ort is considered an out-of-network provider for ALL insurance plans. Dermatology and Laser Institute of Colorado is NOT an in-network facility with any insurance plan.

3. How do you provide personalized care?

Patients always see Dr. Richard Ort, M.D, a board-certified dermatologist, not a PA or nurse practitioner. Dr. Ort spends the time necessary to address your concerns and will not rush your visit. He will sit down and explain your diagnosis and treatment in plain language. Since he is third-party free, he does not have conflicts of interest with respect to your care. His priority is what is best for you, not what will generate the highest fees or what is mandated by an insurance company.

Our staff will treat you with courtesy and will call promptly with any test results. Most of the time Dr. Ort is personally available to assist you after regular hours for any urgent concerns. We take any patient suggestion or complaint seriously and will strive to exceed your expectations.

4. How do you create value for your patients?

Excessive rules and high fees have resulted in skyrocketing healthcare costs. Patients pay expensive insurance premiums yet still cannot afford care due to high deductibles and co-pays. To make matters worse, patients have no idea what their out-of-pocket costs are until they receive a surprise bill months later.

We take a simpler approach. By eliminating third parties from our practice, we reduce our administrative costs and pass these savings onto you. Patients know upfront what they will pay for their care. We call this price transparency. There are no surprise bills or statements that show up after the visit.

Patients with high deductibles or no insurance will likely find that our fees are significantly lower than what they are currently paying out-of-pocket. For those of you who have out-of-network benefits, we can provide (for a nominal fee) the necessary codes so that you can submit an insurance claim for possible reimbursement.

5. How much will I have to pay?

Our transparent fees are available in print and online. Please review our Fee Schedule and Payment Policy.

6. Why direct pay?

Our healthcare system has changed and not for the better. Every year brings complex rules and mandates, leaving less time to care for patients. Medicine has become impersonal and automated much like an assembly line. Doctors are quitting independent practice or abandoning medicine altogether while their patients cannot even afford to see a doctor due to ever-increasing insurance premiums, deductibles, and copays. A direct pay practice allows Dr. Ort to maintain his solo practice and serve his patients, NOT insurance companies, the government, or any other third party.

7. How does your practice safeguard patient privacy?

In a direct pay practice, neither insurance companies nor the government have access to your private medical record. Furthermore, we do not use electronic medical records to minimize the risk of a data breach.