Brian Pierce MD

11/22/2025

Mending Health Insurance (formerly called Taro) is a relatively new insurance that pays for primary care with a monthly payment without the fee for service billing and coding that causes much of the harm from insurance. Many of my DPC colleagues in southern Maine have contracted with them in last few years.

Now Mending has been approved by the Maine Insurance Commission to expand to Knox, Waldo, Lincoln and several other Maine counties. Their plans now show up as options here on coverme.gov

Mending offers full ACA insurance plans with no pre-existing condition. Premiums are about what we're paying now for what appears to be similar coverage. Like other ACA plans, it looks like premiums will no longer be subsidized by the federal government for lower income patients.

While I still have scars from dealing with insurers in the past, we'll try this next year and see how it goes. If this goes well, would love to see Mainecare (Medicaid) try something similar.

https://www.mending.com/

Take advantage of Open Enrollment to join Mending, the only ACA Marketplace plan in Oklahoma and Maine with extraordinary access to best-in-class primary care.

11/11/2025

The numbers work. You can support yourself, your family and your school loans.

You won't get rich but no one goes into primary care to get rich.

DPC Myth #6: You Won’t Make Enough Money to Live Practicing Direct Primary Care

https://dpcnews.com/dpc-myths/dpc-myth-6-you-wont-make-enough-money-to-live-practicing-direct-primary-care/

11/04/2025

Vote today!

11/01/2025

Happy National Direct Primary Care Day (and first day or Maine rifle hunting season and All Saints of course)!

Seems a bit silly but it might help in spreading the word about this simpler, more effective way to fund primary care.

10/27/2025

Another hassle for insurance paid fee for service (FFS) practices

With the help of a computer algorithm, the state’s biggest health insurer says it will scrutinize and cut payments to doctors who frequently bill it for the most expensive patient visits.

10/25/2025

Not surprising given our interactions with them on medical coverage issues.

UnitedHealth is the nation’s largest health insurance conglomerate. ProPublica obtained what is effectively the company’s internal playbook for limiting and cutting therapy costs.

Here’s what we found (published Nov. 2024): https://propub.li/3WRRQMS

10/24/2025

"A 61-year-old man in California is lucky to be alive after a combination of herbal supplements he was taking for joint pain ended up utterly wrecking his body, landing him in intensive care and in a delirious state for months. His case is reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine: Clinical Cases."

The 61-year-old had wounds all over, a bacterial infection, and needed intensive care.

10/21/2025

Two more DPC physician practices get some press attention.

Earlier this year, Apotheosis Health opened in Bangor. Three more practices have opened or are in the pipeline in Falmouth, Yarmouth and Kennebunk.

10/15/2025

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/15/metro/vaccines-mmr-polio-parents-mistrust/

Pediatricians across the state said they’re encountering a growing number of parents with questions, misinformation, or hesitancy about vaccines.

09/20/2025

New England Direct Primary Care Alliance

The MAFP has collaborated with local groups to host an advocacy-based happy hour! This series is the chance to be part of shaping the future of healthcare. Each night is open to all healthcare clinicians by RSVP.

Brewer: https://bit.ly/4nw1UH1
Freeport: https://bit.ly/4naDxyg
Augusta: https://bit.ly/424zBqA
Lewiston: https://bit.ly/3HE8Suf

09/20/2025

Glad to see MAFP is meeting at the Samoset Resort this year.

We’re excited to invite you to the 34th Annual MAFP Medicine Update! This year’s update promises a dynamic blend of clinical education, professional development, and networking opportunities.

Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for registration details and the full agenda.

08/04/2025

Prior to the development of the measles vaccine, families feared measles and wished there was a way to protect their children from this highly contagious disease. Decades later, most children are now protected by the measles vaccine, but we now have to combat the increase in misinformation around this vaccine despite the evidence proving the safety and efficacy of our modern-day MMR vaccine. We can’t let up on pro immunization efforts to protect our children!

Learn more about the measles vaccine here: https://www.aap.org/en/news-room/fact-checked/fact-checked-the-measles-vaccine-is-safe-and-effective/?srsltid=AfmBOoqNAm2_BqZ8g4BGrKheaRl_OMpaARP0xuApRZC59ALIErql6sAX