Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about Sankofa Family Medicine, from payment to virtual care to getting started.
Payment & Insurance
Sankofa Family Medicine is currently a direct-pay (cash-pay) practice. We do not bill insurance directly. This model allows us to spend more time with patients, avoid insurance restrictions, and provide truly personalized care. We may expand to accept insurance in the future.
We accept payment via credit card, debit card, and HSA/FSA cards through our secure, HIPAA-compliant payment system.
Membership fees are billed monthly. Individual visits and programs are billed at the time of service.
Yes! Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used for membership fees, visits, and programs at Sankofa Family Medicine. These are qualified medical expenses.
Yes. We can provide a superbill (itemized receipt with procedure codes) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement rates vary by plan.
Memberships can be cancelled at any time with 30 days notice. There are no cancellation fees. Founding member pricing is locked for the duration of continuous membership.
While insurance co-pays may seem lower per visit, most patients with chronic conditions or those who value preventive care find concierge medicine more economical. With concierge medicine, you get generous virtual visit access, no surprise bills, longer appointments, and direct access to your physician. Many members save money overall, especially when factoring in wholesale lab pricing (70-90% savings) and avoiding unnecessary specialist referrals.
Virtual Care
Virtual visits are conducted via secure, HIPAA-compliant video conferencing. You'll receive a link before your appointment and can join from any device with a camera and internet connection. No special software is required.
Most primary care concerns can be effectively addressed via telehealth, including: acute illnesses (cold, flu, infections), chronic disease management, medication refills and adjustments, mental health support, preventive care planning, lab result reviews, and health coaching. Some conditions may require in-person evaluation, and we will coordinate referrals when needed.
For most primary care needs, yes. Research shows that telehealth delivers comparable outcomes for many conditions, often with greater convenience and continuity. The key advantage of our model is that you see the same physician every time. This continuity actually improves outcomes compared to fragmented in-person care.
We maintain relationships with trusted local specialists and facilities in Washington State. If you need labs, imaging, procedures, or specialist care, we'll coordinate referrals and ensure your records follow you.
You need a smartphone, tablet, or computer with a camera, microphone, and stable internet connection. Our video platform works in most modern web browsers. No app download is required, though mobile apps are available for convenience.
Yes, as long as you are physically located in Washington State during the visit. Due to medical licensing laws, we can only provide care to patients who are in a state where Dr. Nkrumah is licensed. If you travel frequently, let us know and we can discuss options.
Prescriptions & Labs
Yes. Dr. Nkrumah can prescribe most medications via telehealth, including antibiotics, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, mental health medications, and more. Prescriptions are sent electronically to your pharmacy of choice.
Yes, with appropriate clinical justification and established care relationship. This includes medications for ADHD, anxiety, pain management, and other conditions. We follow all DEA and Washington State regulations for controlled substance prescribing via telehealth.
Yes. We offer comprehensive weight management programs that may include GLP-1 medications (semaglutide, tirzepatide) when clinically appropriate. These programs include ongoing monitoring, lifestyle coaching, and medication management.
We order labs through Quest Diagnostics and Labcorp. You visit a local draw site at your convenience. Results come directly to us, and we review them with you via secure message or video visit. Members receive wholesale lab pricing with 70-90% savings compared to hospital prices.
Members access wholesale lab pricing. Examples of typical savings:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: $8-12 (vs. $50-150 at hospitals)
- Lipid Panel: $8-12 (vs. $50-100 at hospitals)
- Thyroid Panel: $15-25 (vs. $75-200 at hospitals)
- Hemoglobin A1c: $10-15 (vs. $50-100 at hospitals)
Exact pricing depends on the specific lab and test ordered.
Yes. We can order imaging studies and refer you to local imaging centers. While imaging costs are not included in membership, we can often help you find competitive cash-pay pricing at independent imaging centers.
Membership
All membership tiers include unlimited virtual visits with Dr. Nkrumah, secure messaging with 24-48 hour response times, care coordination, and prescription management. Higher tiers add genetic testing, AI-powered health insights, and direct physician access. See our Services page for full details.
Founding members lock in their rate for life. Limited spots available. Join now to secure your membership at current pricing.
Yes. You can upgrade or downgrade your membership tier at any time. Changes take effect at the start of your next billing cycle. Note: founding member pricing applies only to the original tier selected.
Yes! Sankofa Family Medicine serves patients of all ages. Family memberships and multi-member discounts may be available. Contact us for details.
We provide care for patients ages 12 and older. Adolescent patients (12-17) require parental/guardian consent and involvement in care. We are evaluating expansion to younger pediatric patients in the future.
No. Memberships are month-to-month with no long-term contracts. You can cancel anytime with 30 days notice. We believe you should stay because the care is excellent, not because you are locked in.
Getting Started
Start in Atlas, our secure patient portal. Complete your intake, select your membership tier, and schedule your first visit directly through the platform.
Founding Member Enrollment Now OpenYour first visit is a comprehensive intake (45-60 minutes) where we review your complete health history, discuss your goals, and develop a personalized care plan. This is the foundation of "Medicine That Remembers": we take the time to truly understand you.
Enrollment begins in Atlas. Complete your intake and schedule your first visit directly through our secure patient portal. Care can begin as early as the same week, depending on onboarding.
We'll help you request records from previous providers. Having your history helps us provide better care, but you can start as a patient before records arrive.
Sankofa Family Medicine is a virtual practice serving patients throughout Washington State. Dr. Nkrumah is licensed in Washington. We plan to expand to additional states in the future.
Most members can get same-day or next-day appointments for acute needs. Routine appointments are typically available within a few days. Executive Concierge members have priority scheduling with same-day guarantee for urgent concerns.
No. Some patients use concierge medicine as their primary care and maintain specialists as needed. Others keep their traditional PCP for insurance-covered services and use Sankofa for enhanced access, longer visits, and specialized programs. We can work alongside your existing care team.
Privacy & Security
No. Sankofa Family Medicine does not replace emergency services. If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, neurological symptoms, severe injury, or any life-threatening condition, call 911 or seek immediate emergency care.
Yes. We are fully HIPAA-compliant. All video visits, messaging, and health records are encrypted and stored securely. We use enterprise-grade security practices and never sell or share your data.
Only Dr. Nkrumah and authorized clinical staff have access to your records. We will never share your information with third parties without your explicit consent, except as required by law.
We use AI tools to support clinical workflows, helping with documentation, surfacing relevant history, and identifying potential health insights. AI never makes clinical decisions; it is a tool that helps your physician focus on you. All AI systems we use are HIPAA-compliant.
Yes. You have the right to access your complete medical records at any time. We can provide copies electronically or in print. There is no charge for accessing your own records.
Still Have Questions?
We're happy to answer any questions not covered here. Reach out and we'll respond within one business day.
Now Accepting Founding Members
Begin Your Care with
Medicine That Remembers™
Enrollment begins in Atlas. Complete your intake and schedule your first visit directly through our secure patient portal.
All intake, scheduling, messaging, and visits occur securely inside Atlas.
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