Looking for quick access to a healthcare provider for non-emergency care? Soon, you will have a new option on the West Side of Sturgeon Bay. This June, Door County Medical Center (DCMC) will present DirectCare, a new clinic within the Starbucks building at the corner of Highway 42/57 and Duluth Avenue. Here, you will be able to obtain quick, face-to-face medical care and treatments for a variety of common illnesses. Same-day appointments can be scheduled online, or you can just walk in at your convenience! The new location will be ideal for a quick visit to address flu symptoms, a sore throat, sinus issues or ear pain, or even a urinary tract infection (UTI), among other health needs.

Like many hospitals, DCMC provides two levels of acute care. The higher level of care—provided by the Emergency Department—is intended for critical and life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention, while the lower level of acute care—provided by the Urgent Care Clinic—is designed for minor injuries and illnesses that need prompt attention but do not require the resources of the Emergency Department.

Door County Medical Centers DirectCare now adds another level of care designed for routine, common illnesses that intentionally provides a limited menu of services as a way to ensure affordability and accessibility, providing you with a quick and easy way to meet face-to-face with a clinician.

What services will DirectCare provide?

While DirectCare is not a replacement for your Primary Care Provider, it is an option for someone who has a minor, non-emergency medical concern that may require an in-person visit with a healthcare professional. Its a great place to start, and should you require a higher level of care, you'll be able to get that process going right from DirectCare.

Below is a list of health services available to patients at the DirectCare location:

• Urinary symptoms/UTI
• Rash
• Bug Bite
• Low back pain
• Muscle strain
• Shingles
• Pink eye
• Sore throat
• Tooth pain
• Sinus Issues
• Cough
• Gout

DirectCare also offers on site point-of-care testing—basic tests that provide rapid results for immediate medical decisions.

Available point-of-care tests include:

• Urine dipstick
• Pregnancy
• Covid
• Flu
• Rapid strep

Procedures and labs that are not available at DirectCare include: X-rays, stitches, and laboratory tests that require blood draws. Additionally, DirectCare is not available for children under 12 months of age.

Why did DCMC open DirectCare?

When Starbucks decided to open a new location at the corner of Highway 42-57 and Duluth Avenue/County S in Sturgeon Bay, the project developer was interested in sharing the space with a healthcare facility. Door County Medical Center saw that location as a great opportunity to fulfill several needs in the Door County Community:

• West Side location—the location will make DCMCs award-winning health care conveniently available for residents of Sturgeon Bays west side, those living in the Southern Door area as well as those traveling to Door County.

• Reduce strain on Urgent Care—DirectCare will help reduce the number of what we call Level 1 and Level 2 illnesses—colds, flu, sore throats and ear infections—that Urgent Care sees, affording the clinicians at Urgent Care more time to address serious medical situations like fractures, and injuries requiring stitches.

• Convenience—DirectCare provides Door County residents with convenient, easy access to medical care that also requires a minimal amount of time in the waiting room.

What are the benefits of going to DirectCare?

DirectCare has four treatment rooms and will be staffed by an Advanced Practice Provider and a Patient Service Technician, and all visits will be available at a flat rate of $99—a DirectPay bundled rate for patients looking to pay at time of service that includes the office visit and any point-of-care testing. Patients also have the option to bill their insurance at the DCMC standard visit rate. This includes Medicare and Medicaid!

By comparison, the cost of an Urgent Care visit starts at $152 and that price does not include labs, each of which are billed separately. DirectCare is a convenient way to experience a quick, face-to-face appointment with a clinician at an affordable price. 

How do I receive DirectCare?

DirectCare is designed to make it easy and convenient for you to access basic medical care. There are 2 ways patients can schedule an appointment:

• Online—You will be able to check the online appointment schedule up to 24 hours in advance by smartphone or tablet and reserve an available slot.

• Walk in—You can walk in with or without an appointment. Just like those who schedule appointments remotely, all patients who walk in will have to register online for an available appointment upon arrival. DirectCare will provide tablets to patients who do not have access to a computer or a mobile device.

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DCMCs DirectCare is quick, convenient, and affordable—available for those on the go who have busy lifestyles and limited time for treatment when they have a minor healthcare need. The clinic will open in June and will be located at the corner of Highway 42-57 and Duluth Avenue/County S on the West Side of Sturgeon Bay.

DirectCare will be open daily from 7:30 a.m - 5 p.m. For more information please call (920) 743-5566 or scan the QR code for the most up-to-date news and information on DirectCare.