Question 1

What is Kindred Roots?

Accepted Answer

Kindred Roots is a Direct Primary Care (DPC) clinic based in Billings, MT, offering personalized, relationship-centered primary care and palliative care. We provide care in-clinic and via telehealth to patients across rural Montana and Wyoming. Our mission is simple: to help you feel seen, supported, and rooted in care that is accessible, compassionate, and free from the limitations of insurance-driven medicine.

Question 2

What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

Accepted Answer

Direct Primary Care is a membership-based model where patients pay a simple monthly fee for comprehensive, accessible primary care. No insurance billing. No hidden costs. No rushed visits.

Members receive:

Longer, unrushed appointments
Direct messaging access to their clinician
Same- or next-day scheduling whenever possible
Transparent pricing for any additional services
Continuity with a clinician who actually knows you

DPC allows us to focus on you, not your insurance company.

Question 3

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. Kindred Roots does not bill insurance for primary care services. Patients may still use insurance for:

Labs
Imaging
Medications
Specialty care

If helpful, we can guide you on how to use your insurance wisely while still benefiting from the DPC model.

Question 4

Who do you care for?

Accepted Answer

We welcome a diverse community of patients, including:

Adults and teens needing ongoing primary care
Individuals navigating midlife changes  (hormones, mental health, chronic conditions)
LGBTQ+ patients seeking inclusive, affirming care
Rural patients who need flexible telehealth access
People managing multiple chronic conditions
Patients and families needing palliative care, advance care planning, and support navigating serious illness

You belong here — exactly as you are.

Question 5

What is palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Palliative care is specialized medical support for people living with serious or complex health conditions. It focuses on:

Symptom relief
Quality of life
Emotional and spiritual support
Guidance in medical decisions
Coordination with specialists and family

You do not need to be at the end of life to benefit from palliative care. Many patients receive palliative support alongside active treatment.

Question 6

Do I have to be a DPC member to receive palliative care?

Accepted Answer

No. Palliative consultations can be scheduled without a DPC membership. Some ongoing support may be available through membership if appropriate — we can discuss the best option for you.

Question 7

What is included in the DPC membership?

Accepted Answer

Membership includes:

Unlimited primary care visits (in-clinic or telehealth)
Same- or next-day visits when appropriate
Direct secure messaging with your clinician
Medication refills, chronic disease management, urgent care needs
Annual wellness visits
Coordination with specialists, hospitals, and other services
Extended visit times so nothing feels rushed

We believe care should feel personal, comfortable, and accessible.

Question 8

What is not included?

Accepted Answer

Your membership does not include:

Labs (we offer deeply discounted pricing when paying cash)
Imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI, etc.)
Specialist visits
Medications (but we’ll help you find the most affordable options)
After-hours or emergency room care

We’ll always be transparent about any additional costs.

Question 9

Do you see patients via telehealth?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We provide robust telehealth care, especially for rural Montana and Wyoming patients who may live far from medical services.

Many issues can be handled virtually, including:

Medication management
Mental health support
Hormone discussions
Chronic disease follow-up
Minor acute issues
Palliative care consultations

If an in-person exam is needed, we’ll help coordinate it.

Question 10

How do I join the clinic?

Accepted Answer

It’s simple:

Review our membership options.
Schedule a free meet-and-greet to see if we’re a good fit.
Enroll online and start receiving care right away.

We keep our panel intentionally small to ensure availability and excellent access.

Question 11

Can I keep my insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your insurance remains useful for specialists, hospital care, medications, and labs. Your DPC membership simply becomes your primary care home.

Question 12

What if I need care outside regular hours?

Accepted Answer

You can message me anytime, and I’ll respond as soon as I am able during extended but reasonable hours.

However, if you are experiencing a true emergency, do not wait for a message back — please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.

Direct Primary Care improves access, but it is not a substitute for emergency services. If you're unsure whether your situation is an emergency, it's always safer to seek urgent evaluation first.

Question 13

What makes your clinic different?

Accepted Answer

Kindred Roots is intentionally small, relationship-focused, inclusive, and grounded in whole-person care. You get:

A clinician who knows you personally
Time to talk through your concerns
Thoughtful, comprehensive explanations
Care tailored to your goals, values, and daily life

We believe healthcare should feel human, kind, and collaborative.

Question 14

What ages do you see?

Accepted Answer

We currently see adults and teens (13+). Younger pediatric patients may be accepted in select circumstances — reach out if you’re unsure.

Question 15

Do you offer LGBTQ+-affirming care?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We provide inclusive, affirming primary and preventive care, including:

Sexual health care
Mental health support
Safe, respectful communication

Everyone deserves healthcare that honors who they are.

Question 16

What forms of payment do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept:

Debit/credit cards
HSA/FSA (for eligible services)
ACH bank payments

Membership fees are automatically billed each month.

Question 17

Can I cancel my membership?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Memberships can be cancelled at any time with appropriate notice (typically 30 days). If you wish to rejoin later, a re-enrollment fee may apply.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions