Questions, answered.

Direct primary care (DPC) is a membership between you and your doctor. You pay a flat monthly fee that covers your primary care: visits, communication, and ongoing management, with no copays or per-visit charges. We've taken out the insurance bureaucracy and replaced it with more time, more access, and a direct relationship with your physician.

Pastera is for adults 18 and older. Dr. Eng is board-certified in internal medicine, a specialty focused on adult health. We welcome patients from Arcadia, Pasadena, and across the San Gabriel Valley.

Pastera is at 150 N Santa Anita Ave, Suite 628, Arcadia, CA 91006, just east of Pasadena and close to the 210 Freeway. Virtual visits are available for patients anywhere in California. Coming from Pasadena?

Far fewer than a typical doctor. A traditional primary care physician is often responsible for 2,000 to 3,000 patients just to cover administrative overhead, resulting in 10-minute visits and weeks-long booking delays.

Pastera intentionally caps membership at 10% of that.

A smaller practice is what makes unhurried visits, prompt access, and direct messaging with Dr. Eng possible. It also means Dr. Eng knows your history without scrolling through a chart. Once the practice reaches capacity, new patients join a waitlist.

Not at this time. As an internist, Dr. Eng cares for adults 18 and older. We're happy to help families find a pediatrician.

No. Pastera is a membership primary care practice focused on long-term relationships with our patients. Members often get same- or next-day appointments when something comes up, but we don't offer walk-in or one-time visits.

The first 25 members to join Pastera receive a promotional rate of $99/month. Founding members help shape the practice from the start.

Adults (18–64) are $125/month and Seniors (65+) are $150/month, plus a one-time $100 enrollment fee. Memberships begin with a three-month initial commitment. The first 25 founding members pay $99/month. See membership details.

No. Membership covers primary care services only and is not health insurance. It does not satisfy the Affordable Care Act requirement for minimum essential coverage.

We strongly recommend it. Insurance protects you for emergencies, hospital stays, surgery, specialists, and imaging. Many members pair Pastera with a high-deductible or catastrophic plan, which often has lower premiums that can cover the cost of membership.

No. Your membership is paid directly to Pastera, which is what lets us skip copays, claims, billing codes and mountains of paperwork, and gives Dr. Eng the time back to be present with her patients. Lab and medication costs are also available at wholesale price, sometimes less than the insurance co-pay.

We accept HSA and FSA cards. Please confirm with your HSA/FSA plan administrator or tax advisor.

Starting in January 2027. Due to Medicare regulations, we're unable to see Medicare patients before then. Our Senior membership is designed for patients 65 and older. Membership fees are paid directly to Pastera and are not billed to Medicare. Keep your Medicare coverage for hospital care, specialists, imaging, and other services outside primary care.

Yes, a one-time $100 fee when you join.

Pastera is built on long-term relationships. Getting to know your history, setting a baseline, and tracking how you respond to changes takes more than one visit. The first three months are when that foundation is built, and it's what makes truly personal care possible.

All memberships begin with a three-month initial commitment. That gives us time to get to know you, understand your health as a whole, and track how things change. After your first three months, you can cancel with 30 days notice.

Because we strictly cap our patient panel to ensure prompt access and unhurried visits, open spots are limited. If you cancel your membership and choose to re-enroll later, a re-enrollment fee of $450 applies, subject to panel availability. If the practice is full, returning patients are placed on the waiting list.

Our model is built on continuous, proactive care rather than episodic sick visits.

Same- or next-day appointments are often available for members, in the office or by telehealth.

Members can text, call, email or send secure messages directly to Dr. Eng. No call centers, no phone trees.

There's no cap on the number of primary care visits, in person or virtual, and no per-visit fee. Come in as often as your health needs.

Pastera works with lab and pharmacy partners to offer members wholesale pricing. You'll know the cost before anything is ordered, and you pay that price directly. We'll compare the wholesale cost to your insurance copay and determine the most cost effective solution.

Yes. Dr. Eng provides perimenopause and menopause care as part of membership, including hormone therapy, non-hormonal options, and vaginal, bone, and heart health. Learn about menopause care.

Dr. Eng will refer you to a trusted specialist, share the relevant records, and stay involved in your care. Specialist visits are billed separately, usually through your insurance.