What is an osteopathic physician?

https://osteopathic.org/what-is-osteopathic-medicine/what-is-a-do/

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What is Direct Primary Care?

https://dpcnation.org/

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Who can benefit from a Doc On Deck membership?​

Patients who want to take charge of their healthcare.

Patients who want to make healthcare decisions without insurance interference.

Patients who want a real relationship with their doctor.

Patients who value wellness and want to stay healthy.

Patients with high deductible insurance policies.

Patients who are self-employed.

Patients who receive little benefit from their current insurance company.

Patients who prefer to pay cash for their medical services.

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Do you accept insurance?

No. At Doc on Deck, we do not believe that anyone has an opinion on your health and treatment options other than you and Dr. Decker. ​​​​​​​​​ We do not accept or bill any health insurance. With the DPC model, we contract directly with you, the patient, to put you in charge of your health, not an insurance company. By cutting out the middleman, we keep costs low and spend better quality of time with you. Insurance can be helpful in catastrophic situations, and we recommend that you have insurance to use for emergencies.

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I have great insurance. Why should I pay more?

If you have a doctor that you love, keep them! 

If your healthcare experience has NOT been ideal, the DPC model may be for you.

We have a significantly different model than many other medical practices

and that difference has a value and a price.  

DPC patients say they enjoy having direct access to their doctor when they are in need.

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How long is the Doc On Deck contract?

There are no long-term contracts at Doc On Deck, so you may terminate your patient-physician relationship at any time. Please bring any concerns to Dr. Decker's attention, as she is consistently making adjustments to better the patient family experience.

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​What is Dr. Decker's expertise?

• Double board certified in family medicine and non-operative orthopedics.

• Experienced in family medicine, internal medicine, geriatric medicine, orthopedics, sports medicine, urgent care, hospice care and ski medicine

• Has worked in Ohio, Vermont, Florida and Georgia.

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What other services do you offer athletes?

Pre-participation physical with potential problem areas identified, sports concussion care, wrestling skin checks/treatment, stress fractures, overuse injuries, etc.

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​What joints of the body do you treat? 

Shoulders, elbows, wrist, fingers

Hip, knees, ankles, toes

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Do you treat the spine?

Dr. Decker will diagnose problems of the spine, but does not inject into the spine.

Trigger point injections into muscles of the back/shoulder are a treatment option.​

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With what do you inject joints?

Corticosteroid

Viscosupplementation/Hyaluronic Acid

Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)

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What is an indication for a corticosteroid injection?

We can alleviate pain quickly by draining a swollen joint

and hopefully keep it from returning with a corticosteroid injection. 

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What is an indication for a hyaluronic acid/viscosupplementation injection?

When osteoarthritis has set in and corticosteroid injections have failed to alleviate pain, ​

you may be a candidate for a preservation type injection called viscosupplementation, with the ultimate goal of avoiding a total joint replacement. 

Dr. Decker has also had promising results in using this as a lubricant to throwers' elbows.

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​​What is PRP?

https://www.sportsmedtoday.com/plateletrich-plasma-va-65.htm

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What is an indication for PRP?

Studies have shown that PRP can alleviate osteoarthritic pain and quicken the healing process in tendon injuries (i.e. rotator cuff, gluteal tendons, calf, achilles and ​patellar tendon).

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What is the ugly & honest truth?

​The traditional family physician in the community has been overtaken by corporate healthcare, where physicians are employed by an institution.  Such physicians are responsible for patient satisfaction without being granted the authority by the institution to promote such goals. Minimal reimbursement from health insurance companies and corporate greed are at the forefront of the above dilemma.  I do not accept health insurance, as it is utilized as pre-paid healthcare. The authority to determine what treatments are appropriate for you are given to someone who does not know you, nor are they medically trained. ​

 

What is the beauty of Doc On Deck?

DoD seeks to get back to the roots of medicine.  I am a local physician, hanging my shingle at Home Plate while practicing medicine the way I'd always imagined. No short cuts, no sugar coating, no BS.  My goal is to have a patient family comprised of a couple hundred local friends, not a "patient panel" that includes thousands of people with whom I do not know. Ultimately, I'd like you to think of me as your doctor, friend and neighbor as I serve you, the PTC community.​  Carpe Diem!  

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