Member Guide

How to get the most from your Empowered Health DPC membership.

Welcome to Empowered Health DPC

This guide explains how to get the most from your membership: how to reach Dr. Aliganga, book visits, get labs and prescriptions, and what to do after hours. Keep it handy, and reach out any time you have a question.

Empowered Health DPC is a direct primary care practice, not health insurance. Your membership covers your primary care, with no copays or per-visit fees, ever. We recommend keeping insurance or a health-sharing plan for emergencies, hospital stays, and specialists.

In an emergency, call 911.

1. Your member app (SigmaMD)

SigmaMD is your home base for everything with Empowered Health DPC. You received an invitation by email when you enrolled.

Log in anytime at patient.sigmamd.com/login.

Use the app to:

• Message Dr. Aliganga securely
• Book, change, or cancel appointments
• See lab results and visit notes
• Request prescription refills
• Complete forms, update your health history, and connect records from your other doctors
• Update your payment method

Tip: download the app to your phone and turn on notifications so you never miss a message or result.

2. Reaching your doctor

You have direct access to your physician, not a call center.

Please keep detailed medical questions in the SigmaMD app, where they become part of your secure record. Never send anything urgent by email.

If something can't wait, call. If it's an emergency, call 911.

After hours: text 609-678-3299. Dr. Aliganga will make every attempt to respond in a timely way, or to point you to the right place for care. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse quickly, don't wait for a reply: go to urgent care or the emergency room, or call 911.

3. Scheduling visits

Book your visits in the SigmaMD app. If you can't find a time that works for you, text 609-678-3299 and we'll help. Members get increased availability for sick visits, and longer, unhurried appointments so there's time for every question.

Which office? Empowered Health DPC is one practice with two offices.

• West Deptford (main site): all visit types, including procedures, EKGs, and lab draws. Parking is in our on-site lot.
• Philadelphia (128 Chestnut Street): consultations, follow-ups, and lab draws. A short walk from 2nd Street Station on SEPTA's Market-Frankford (Blue) Line. Parking is metered on the street; spots on Chestnut or Front Street are usually easy to find in the morning and early afternoon. Please check posted signs to avoid a ticket.

If you need a procedure, testing equipment, or an accessible space, we'll see you at the West Deptford main site.

Running late or need to cancel? Please be mindful of the schedule and considerate of other members. If you need to cancel or reschedule, let us know in the app or by text as soon as you know, so we can offer the time to someone else.

Choose the right visit length. When you book, pick the visit type and length that fit what you need to cover, and plan to keep to that time. It keeps the day running smoothly, so every member gets the time they were promised.

AI note-taking. Dr. Aliganga prefers to use a secure AI scribe during visits so he can give you his full attention instead of typing. If you'd rather he not use it, just let him know at any visit and he'll turn it off.

4. Labs and testing

Members get special member pricing on labs through our partnership with Labcorp. You'll know the price before your blood is drawn.

1. Dr. Aliganga orders your labs and tells you if you need to fast (usually 8–12 hours, water is fine).
2. Get your blood drawn at any Labcorp location that's convenient for you (find one at labcorp.com). We can also draw labs in the office when the schedule allows; if you'd like that, mention it in your pre-visit questionnaire so we can plan time for it.
3. Results are posted to your SigmaMD app, usually within a few business days.
4. Dr. Aliganga reviews every result and messages you with what it means and any next steps.

You'll never get a number without an explanation. If a result needs attention sooner, we'll call you.

5. Imaging and diagnostic tests

If you need an X-ray, ultrasound, CT, MRI, or other test, Dr. Aliganga will order it and help you choose where to go.

• With insurance: we send the order to the in-network facility of your choosing so your plan can cover it. We recommend calling your insurance first to ask which facility the order should go to.
• Paying cash: we'll point you to facilities with transparent cash prices, which are often far lower than billed rates.

Ask about the price before you book. Results come back to Dr. Aliganga, who reviews them with you.

EKGs are done in the office at the West Deptford main site.

6. Prescriptions and refills

Dr. Aliganga can send prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice. Many common medications are available at special members-only pricing, and we'll help you compare options.

Medications from the office. At our West Deptford office, New Jersey rules allow us to dispense up to a 7-day supply of some medications. Members seen at our Philadelphia office may be able to have many medications dispensed directly, typically a 30- to 90-day supply. Office-dispensed medications have transparent members-only pricing, often just a few dollars, added to your next invoice.

Refills: please request refills in the SigmaMD app, at least 3 days before you run out. If you urgently need a refill right away, send your request in the app and also text 609-678-3299 to let us know it's urgent. Some medications need a visit or labs before they can be refilled. We'll let you know.

Tip: pharmacy cash prices can be lower than your insurance copay. Ask us, or check a price-comparison tool such as GoodRx, before you pay.

7. Membership and billing

Your membership is a flat monthly fee that covers your primary care visits and messaging, with no copays or per-visit fees, ever. Current rates are on our Rates page.

• Payment: your membership is charged automatically each month to the card on file in SigmaMD. Update your card in the app.
• HSAs: see our HSA guide on using your Health Savings Account for membership.
• Extra costs: labs and office-dispensed medications have transparent prices and are billed separately or as a separate line item on your invoice. You'll always know the price first. Imaging is billed by the facility you choose.
• Insurance: Empowered Health DPC does not bill insurance and is opted out of Medicare. Keep your insurance for emergencies, hospital care, specialists, and imaging.
• Membership term: your first 3 months are the initial term, then membership continues month to month. To end your membership, give 30 days' written notice.
• Returning after you leave: re-enrollment depends on available space and practice approval. Returning members prepay their first 3 months of membership, which covers those 3 months. This prepayment isn't refunded if you cancel during that time.

Billing question? Email dr.frank@myhealthempowered.com or text 609-678-3299.

8. Before and after your visit

Before your visit

• Finish any forms in the SigmaMD app
• List your questions, from most to least important
• Bring your medications and supplements, or a photo of the labels
• Bring recent records, results, or home readings (blood pressure, glucose, weight)
• Ask if you need to fast before any labs

After your visit

• Your visit summary and plan are posted to the SigmaMD app.
• Any labs, prescriptions, or referrals we discussed are sent for you.
• Questions later? Message us in the app. Your plan isn't over when you leave the office, and follow-up is part of your membership.

9. Referrals and specialists

Most everyday concerns can be handled right here. When you do need a specialist, Dr. Aliganga will:

1. Help you choose the right specialist, in your insurance network or with fair cash pricing.
2. Send the referral with your history and the specific question to answer.
3. Review the specialist's findings with you and coordinate your care afterward.

Prior authorizations: if your insurance needs one for a test or medication, tell us. We'll send the clinical information your plan asks for. Approval decisions are made by your insurance company.

10. Telehealth, records, and vaccines

Telehealth visits. Video and phone visits are available when appropriate, for things like follow-ups, medication checks, and minor concerns. Some concerns need an in-person visit, and Dr. Aliganga will let you know when that's the case. For a video visit, find a quiet, private spot with good lighting, and have your medications and any home readings nearby.

Medical records and forms.

• Your visit notes and results are always in the SigmaMD app.
• You can print or share the notes posted in your SigmaMD app with anyone who needs them. To have us send records to another doctor, sign a records release (online or paper form). We're a small practice that puts patient care first, so sending records can take some time; please ask early. Whenever you can, connect your other health records and patient portals in the SigmaMD app, so Dr. Aliganga can see your history from other doctors, hospitals, and labs. This access is sometimes temporary, so you may need to reconnect it in the future. For records that can't be connected, message us in the app.
• Need a school, sports, work, or travel form? Send it in the app, and tell us when it's due.

Vaccines. We don't currently give vaccines in the office. We recommend:

• Children on a vaccine schedule also keep a pediatric office that can bill insurance for vaccines.
• Adults get flu, COVID, shingles, tetanus, and other vaccines at a local pharmacy, where insurance usually covers them. Let us know when you get one so we can update your record.

11. Urgent, after-hours, and emergency care

When something comes up, start with us. Many problems that would mean an urgent care or ER trip can be handled with a message, a call, or a visit.

If you go to urgent care, the ER, or the hospital, let us know. We'll get your records and coordinate your follow-up care.