Healthcare shouldn’t be complicated — but for most people, it is. Between insurance approvals, billing departments, copays, and waiting weeks to see a specialist, it can start to feel like you spend more time managing your care than receiving it.
At Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center, we believe there’s a better way. It’s called Direct Care — a model that removes the middleman, simplifies your care, and puts the focus back where it belongs: on you.
What Is Direct Care?
Direct Care means exactly what it sounds like: you pay your doctor directly for your care instead of going through an insurance company.
There are no surprise bills, no endless paperwork, and no waiting for pre-approvals. You know exactly what your visit will cost before you walk through the door — and that transparency allows you to make clear, confident decisions about your health.
Why We Chose This Model
After years of practicing in traditional insurance-based medicine, I saw firsthand how much time was wasted — not on patients, but on billing codes and red tape.
When you take insurance out of the equation, a few important things happen:
- Appointments are longer and more personal. You get the time you actually need, not the time a billing code allows.
- You see the doctor — not a rushed provider juggling 30 patients a day.
- Decisions are made for your health, not for reimbursement.
This model lets us focus entirely on patient outcomes, not insurance company policies.
How It Saves You Money
Most patients are surprised to learn that direct care often costs less overall — especially when you factor in copays, deductibles, and follow-up visits caused by rushed appointments.
At Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center, our pricing is:
- Transparent: You’ll always know what you’re paying for.
- Affordable: Many visits cost less than the average specialist copay.
- Efficient: You pay once, get what you need, and move on with your life.
No waiting for insurance claims. No surprise bills months later.
How It Saves You Time and Stress
Insurance-based practices are built on volume — the more patients a doctor sees, the more the office can bill.
In a Direct Care practice, the focus shifts to quality, not quantity. That means:
- Shorter wait times, often same-week or same-day appointments.
- Direct communication — you can reach our team without going through a call center.
- No pre-authorizations or referral runarounds.
We get to spend our time caring for you — not negotiating with insurance companies.
Why Patients Love It
Patients often tell us that switching to a direct care model feels like a breath of fresh air. They feel heard, valued, and part of the process.
Many appreciate that this approach allows us to offer both traditional podiatric care and functional wellness services — from laser treatments to orthotics, hypochlorous acid skin products, and preventive foot health education — all without worrying if it’s “covered.”
The Lighthouse Promise
Our goal is simple: provide high-quality, personalized podiatric care that’s easy to access, easy to understand, and centered around you, not your insurance plan.
At Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center, we’re proud to be part of a growing movement of physicians who believe healthcare can — and should — be simpler, more transparent, and more human.
Lighthouse Foot and Ankle Center, PC
23 Spring St, Suite B, Scarborough, ME 04074
207-774-0028 | www.lighthousefootandankle.com
