Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Grcich.
Melissa, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a Nurse Practitioner with a background in primary care. I previously worked in a primary care setting that was privately owned by a physician. It was fairly busy and I felt really limited on the time I was able to spend with each client. Most people who entered the office were there because of an acute illness or a follow-up on an acute illness. I was only able to spend approximately 10-15 minutes with each person. They were rushed in and rushed out. One patient referred to herself as “cattle” because of how patients were moved through the system. I was expected to meet a certain daily quota of patients so time with each person was definitely limited. I really enjoy listening to what my patients have to say. They have many concerns about their health and I like to give them the opportunity to share all of them. The setting I was in did not allow me to do this in a short amount of time.
On many occasions, I would go home at the end of the day wondering what I may have missed about my patient because of a busy rushed day. I do not believe anyone is just a number. People deserve quality healthcare and they deserve the time to express all of their thoughts and goals regarding their health. It’s amazing what a provider can learn from their patients if they just give them that quality time.
Many people have co-pays for each office visit as well as a deductible to meet. This can get pretty expensive for them. Some did not return for their follow up visits because they could not afford the payment. Some would avoid the clinic because they knew they had a balance to pay. Even though they were ill, they were too worried about the financial burden and would remain sick at home or eventually go the ER. This was very disheartening because everyone has a right to healthcare without having to worry about paying upfront before being seen.
I could not change the system, so I decided to leave the system. I started my own Direct Primary Care services using all I had in my savings. I envisioned a low-cost monthly fee that would allow folks to visit the clinic as often as they needed without any additional cost to them. I envisioned a clinic that gives hour long, sometimes more, appointment times so people can feel free to express their health concerns, barriers to treatments, their knowledge of their disease process and so forth. I have the freedom to visit them in their homes if they are too ill to make it to the clinic or they are too frail. I do not have someone knocking on my door to pull me out for the sake of time. I have a freedom that I can now share with my clients as we build a relationship that helps them meet their health care goals. I have a wonderfully kind collaborative physician who respects and understands this direct primary care model and I couldn’t be more excited to share this service with the surrounding community to help increase affordable access to healthcare!
Has it been a smooth road?
There have been ups and downs. We are still growing. I have had a lot of positive feedback from my current clients and this is very encouraging. When I get an idea in my head that I know is right morally and ethically, I don’t wait, I just do it. That is the best advice I can give to any woman. If you are oppressed in your current position if you know you will not be able to change the current system or environment you are in… then take matters into your own hands! Just go for it. It will not be easy, but if you put in the effort and you are doing it from the heart, you will succeed.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Matron Health story. Tell us more about the business.
Matron Health is a direct primary care medical service designed around our client’s needs. I am a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and I am passionate about the health and well-being of everyone I meet. I am experienced with the management of heart failure, diabetes, hypertension, COPD, as well as many other acute or chronic illnesses you may visit your family doctor for.
We do not bill insurance so there are no high office visit costs associated with co-pays and deductibles.The monthly fee for members will be automatically deducted from their checking, savings, or credit card account in the amount of $50. This monthly fee includes access to healthcare 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent matters. Members can call, text, or email the provider and expect a response within the next hour! Members also have access to the clinic via appointment during regular business hours and are not limited to the number of days they visit. The fee includes women’s wellness screenings, labs, certain medications, certain injections, breathing treatments! When you are ill, you deserve to have your questions and concerns addressed by your provider. We are here to provide that service and peace of mind.
Another added benefit of this direct primary care medical design is the occasional home visits provided by our nurse practitioner. Home visits are reserved for our members and are scheduled on a case-by-case basis.
Though we do not bill insurance, we encourage clients to keep their health insurance coverage up-to-date for additional costs such as x-rays, laboratory tests, or other services ordered but not provided in our clinic.
It would be great to hear about any apps, books, podcasts or other resources that you’ve used and would recommend to others.
We have a website that contains our monthly blog and more information on our clinic.
Pricing:
- $50 a month for membership services.
- $70 a visit for non-members.
Contact Info:
- Address: 786 McCool Rd Suite 6 Valparaiso, IN 46385
- Website: www.matronhealth.com
- Phone: 844-457-8503
- Email: Matronhealth@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/matronhealth/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
