Frequently asked

It is primary care with direct access to your physician, without the burdens of insurance based medicine.

• It is not insurance. Direct primary care is not health insurance and does not replace it. Most members pair their membership with a plan that covers emergencies, hospital care, and specialists.
• It is not holistic medicine.
• It is not functional medicine.
• It is not a weight loss clinic. If obesity is part of your chronic medical history, this will certainly be explored.

Osteopathic medicine takes a whole-person approach, looking beyond symptoms to see how body, mind, and lifestyle work together for health and healing.

Osteopathic physicians (DOs) receive the same rigorous medical training as MDs to diagnose conditions, prescribe medications, and order tests, while placing special emphasis on structural health, prevention, and strong patient relationships.

At Hope Health, we use these principles to deliver personal, relationship-centered care focused on the whole person.

If you feel you're getting excellent care where your doctor is listening to you and providing personalized plans for your health through your current insurance based primary care, you're one of the lucky ones. Please stay with them.

But if you believe you deserve personalized care where you are not rushed, where you can bring in your list of concerns and your doctor takes the time to make a plan with you, where you have access to your doctor and can call or text them and expect a response within 24 hours, you may want to consider direct primary care.

Remember, insurance and primary care serve two different purposes.

Insurance protects you from the unexpected. Your insurance provides coverage for hospitalizations, specialists, procedures, and other major medical expenses that can be costly.

Direct primary care helps you manage the everyday. At Hope Health DPC, you have direct access to your primary care physician, more time together, easier communication and personalized care.

We pay for that which we value and prioritize. Direct primary care is for everybody and membership is affordable for all that it offers. Howard County residents on average pay a lot more for their cell phone bills, cable bills, gym membership or their kid's sports and activities. Even a once a month massage membership can cost more.

The real question is: how much do you value and prioritize your and your family's health?

No. If you are unemployed, a freelancer or self employed and don't have insurance, you can still become a member of Hope Health DPC.

Please note, this does not replace any specialized or emergency care you may require insurance for.

Yes, but for catastrophic coverage and specialist visits. I recommend a high-deductible plan or health share for hospitalizations and major events. Your membership covers 90% of what most people use a doctor for.

There is a one time enrollment fee of $65 to cover the upfront onboarding costs.

Hope Health is solely a membership model. Dr. Punnoose has opted out of all insurance plans including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients may not seek Medicare reimbursement for DPC membership fees.

At this time, Dr. Punnoose is licensed to practice in Maryland only.