Frequently Asked Questions
Bethesda Modern Membership
Are you a concierge practice?
Yes and No. It depends what you mean by “concierge”–
- Do we provide direct access, long appointments, and personalized care from a highly qualified, board-certified Medical Doctor? Absolutely YES.
- Do we provide on-demand visits 24 hours a day, call in antibiotics whenever they are requested, or order tests that are not indicated medically? NO.
Bethesda Modern Primary Care is the right fit for patients who want to know that they will be taken care of well, using up-to-date evidence based guidelines, by a committed doctor who cares for them.
What ages do you see?
Bethesda Modern Primary Care will see patients 18 years and older.
What are your hours?
We see patients in person and via telemedicine Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm.
What about after-hours emergencies?
We respond to all non-urgent messages during business hours. Our goal is to keep you healthy enough that this is a rare event.
For true emergencies, we recommend you call 911.
What if my doctor is sick or on vacation?
Dr. Sirdar enjoys periodic vacations with her family. We will provide advance notice of any planned absences and notice for any absence due to illness or family emergencies. If there is a time that Dr. Sirdar is unavailable for an extended period, we will arrange for a board-certified internist to take care of any needs that arise while Dr. Sirdar is away.
What if I have to cancel an appointment?
Bethesda Modern Primary Care requires a minimum of 24 hours notice to cancel or reschedule an appointment. Simply let us know that you need to change the appointment (It’s easy! You can reach us directly!)
For Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice, a missed appointment fee of $50 may apply.
If you think you will be late to an appointment, please contact us as soon as possible.
Bethesda Modern reserves the right to cancel membership of members who habitually miss appointments.
How can I get in touch with my doctor?
Communication is a cornerstone of our practice. We offer direct communication through both telephone and our secure patient portal, ensuring you receive a response within 24 business hours.
If I need to see a specialist, will Dr. Sirdar be involved?
Yes. Dr. Sirdar will provide referrals when necessary and manage communication among specialists to ensure continuity of care.
What if I need to go to the hospital?
You may be hospitalized at the hospital of your choice. Although the hospitalist service will be the attending physician of record, Dr. Sirdar will coordinate care with the hospitalist as your personal physician. Dr. Sirdar currently has courtesy privileges at Johns Hopkins/Sibley Memorial Hospital. In addition, because of her affiliation with Johns Hopkins/Sibley, she has access to the Hopkins EPIC EMR and can view reports from all John Hopkins affiliated hospitals (Suburban, Sibley, Hopkins-Baltimore). Dr. Sirdar sees it as part of her job to coordinate with your in-patient team and provide input into your care as appropriate.
How do I cancel Membership?
Cancellation is easy. We understand that this model isn’t a good fit for everyone. If you decide to cancel, simply provide 30 days notice in writing (You can simply text!).
We are still available to provide care while your membership is still in effect. If you paid for a year and the year is not yet up, we will refund a pro-rated portion of the monthly fees as long as all other fees have been paid.
Does Bethesda Modern see dependents of patients who are members?
Yes, we do. We offer care for members’ dependents ages 18-25 years old on a fee-for-service basis, including sports physicals, pre-op evaluations, annual exams, or sick visits.
Cost and Payment
What is the fee for Bethesda Modern membership?
Subscription: $250/month + Joining fee: $100
- If you pay for the year upfront, the cost is $2,500 — a discount of 2 FREE months.
- The membership fee is payable by credit card. As long as you stay with the practice, your membership will renew automatically every month or every year depending on your payment plan.
- There is a 3 month minimum for membership. After 3 months, you may cancel at any time.
- Please understand that you need to pay the membership fee and one-time joining fee of $100 before we are able to schedule an appointment.
What additional expenses might I incur?
Prescriptions, labs, scans, specialists, etc ordered by Dr. Sirdar and fulfilled outside of Bethesda Modern will be billed to your health insurance and are not covered by your membership fee.
Are there any co-pays for services covered under membership?
There are no co-pays required for any services included with your subscription. All services covered under membership are provided with transparency and convenience, ensuring you receive exceptional care without unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.
How do I pay?
We will utilize a secure and efficient system for invoicing our patients. Should you encounter any difficulties with the platform, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Insurance Information
I already have excellent health insurance — why should I pay extra to join your practice?
While your insurance may provide essential coverage, our membership offers a level of personalized service and direct access to your doctor that is unparalleled in traditional primary care settings. As a member, you will enjoy access to same- or next-day appointments, direct communication with your physician, thorough and unhurried office visits, and true coordination of care with specialists and other providers — ensuring all aspects of your health are managed with the utmost attention and efficiency — all under the guidance of your personal physician.
In fact, many patients find the membership subscription is much more cost effective than unexpected bills received at urgent care or the ER. Our goal is to keep you healthy and out of the hospital to avoid the high cost of medical care incurred when you are denied timely access to your primary.
Do I need to keep my existing health insurance?
Yes. Our practice is not an insurance plan. You will still need to maintain your existing health insurance to cover specialist consultations, lab tests, x-rays, diagnostic procedures, prescription medications, and hospitalizations. The membership provides enhanced access to your physician and ensures continuity and coordination of care but does not replace your health insurance.
Are you in network? Can fees be submitted to my insurance for reimbursement?
Please be aware that our practice is out of network with all insurance providers, including Medicare. After your annual physical exam or any office visit, we will provide you with the necessary documentation, including a summary of the services rendered and proof of payment. You may choose to submit this paperwork directly to your insurance carrier for potential reimbursement. Keep in mind that each insurance plan handles reimbursement differently, so we recommend reaching out to your insurance company directly for further guidance.
Please note that the above reimbursement policy does not apply to Medicare or HMO plans. Unfortunately, claims cannot be submitted to Medicare or any HMO plan for reimbursement.
I’m covered by Medicare. Can I still see Dr. Sirdar?
Yes, you are welcome to become a patient of Dr. Sirdar. However, please note that because Dr. Sirdar has opted out of the Medicare program, Medicare will not cover any portion of the membership fee or any services provided outside the scope of the subscription fee. We will not submit claims to Medicare, and you are unable to submit claims to Medicare for any services rendered by our office.
Rest assured, Dr. Sirdar will continue to provide prescriptions, orders for diagnostic services such as x-rays, and other necessary care outside of the practice’s scope. Your Medicare coverage will remain intact for all other physician visits, hospital services, and procedures conducted outside of our office. Bethesda Modern membership will not affect your Medicare benefits in any way.
I’m covered by an HMO. Can I become a member of Bethesda Modern?
Yes, you are welcome to become a patient of Dr. Sirdar. However, please be aware that our practice does not participate in any HMO plans. If your HMO requires prior authorization from your primary care physician for referrals, lab work, or other services, we will not be able to facilitate those requests. Additionally, we do not submit claims to your HMO, nor can you submit claims to your HMO for reimbursement for any services provided by our practice.
Becoming a Member
What’s the Priority List?
When can I join?
The enrollment period will open on August 15, 2025. On that date, we will accept payment and begin scheduling patient appointments. We expect to reach capacity very quickly, so we strongly encourage you to join the Priority List so you are guaranteed the opportunity to enroll.
Can I meet Dr. Sirdar before I commit?
When the enrollment period opens, how do I join?
- Complete the Enrollment Interest Form.
- Schedule your 1:1 meeting with Dr. Sirdar, if you haven’t already had one.
- Sign the Patient Contract with payment submission.
When will the Bethesda Modern office open?
October 1, 2025
Can I see you without becoming a member?
We do have a limited number of non-member visits for acute/urgent issues, including Pre-Op evaluations, based on availability. Because we are extremely conscientious about providing high quality care and appropriate follow-up to our patients, we are typically unable to provide one-time services for well checks, mental health concerns, long-term chronic conditions, or second opinions.
Non-member visits are charged at $300 per visit (not including tests or procedures), payable at the time of service.
Note: Non-members will not have direct access to Dr. Sirdar outside of their scheduled appointment.
