Docs by the Bay
Quick Facts
| Membership Price Range | $75 to $100 per month (Standard Membership); Limited Membership also available; $100 one-time enrollment fee; 10% discount for multiple family members on Full Membership; 50% discount for healthcare workers and their spouses |
| Practice Type | Direct Primary Care |
| Location | Petoskey, Northern Michigan |
| Doctors | Thomas Ling MD, Internal Medicine, Mark Richmond MD, Internal Medicine |
| Telehealth Type | Video chat, phone, text, email |
| Housecalls | Yes |
| Telehealth Available | Yes |
About
At Docs by the Bay, two internists with more than 30 years of experience each bring adult primary care to Petoskey, Michigan. Dr. Thomas Ling and Dr. Mark Richmond co-founded the practice on Charlevoix Ave after long careers in Northern Michigan medicine. Both trained at Wayne State University School of Medicine. Both spent decades at Burns Clinic before taking different paths that eventually led them here.
The practice keeps its panel intentionally small, roughly a quarter to a third of a typical primary care load. That limit lets both doctors offer same-day appointments, longer visits, and direct access by phone, text, or email. Members pay a flat monthly fee starting at $75, with no co-pays and no charges for electronic communication. The practice contracts directly with patients, not insurers or hospital systems. Lab draws happen in-office through LabCorp and Quest, often at up to 90% savings. Docs by the Bay also offers telemedicine and limited home visits for patients unable to travel.
Details
Address
2810 Charlevoix Ave, Petoskey, MI
Phone
(231) 881-9054Website
Visit websiteMembership
$75/monthly
Membership Details
Monthly membership fee of $75 to $100. One-time nonrefundable enrollment fee of $100. No office charges or co-pays. No charges for electronic communication. 10% discount for additional family members on Full Membership. 50% discount for healthcare workers and their spouses (enrollment fee waived). Non-member services: DOT Physical $150, Pre-Op Exam $200.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Docs by the Bay charges a monthly membership fee of $75 to $100. New members also pay a one-time, nonrefundable enrollment fee of $100. The monthly fee covers all physician services with no office charges or co-pays. The practice also charges nothing extra for phone, text, or email communication with your doctor.
No. Docs by the Bay operates as a cash-based, membership model. The practice contracts directly with patients rather than insurance companies. You can still use Medicare or other coverage for services the practice does not provide, such as specialist visits or hospitalizations.
Yes. Docs by the Bay provides 24/7 physician access for urgent issues. Members can call (231) 881-9054 at any hour. The practice also allows direct communication via phone, text, or email at no additional charge.
Yes. Docs by the Bay offers telemedicine visits for members. md, or download the Docs by the Bay app on the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Docs by the Bay offers two plans. The Standard Membership covers comprehensive primary care at $75 to $100 per month. The Limited Membership suits members who need only an annual physical. Both plans require the one-time $100 enrollment fee.
Yes. Docs by the Bay waives the enrollment fee entirely for healthcare workers and their spouses. It also offers a 50% discount on the monthly fee. This discount applies to both the Standard and Limited Membership plans.
The practice draws labs in-office and contracts with both LabCorp and Quest to secure the best pricing. Members can save up to 90% on lab testing through these arrangements. There are no separate facility charges for in-office draws.
Yes. Docs by the Bay offers DOT physicals and pre-operative exams to non-members at flat fees. A DOT physical costs $150 and a pre-op exam costs $200. Current members receive these services at no additional cost under most membership plans.
md, the practice's patient management platform. You enter your demographic information, answer basic health questions, and provide payment details. The office coordinator contacts you within a few days to schedule your first appointment. If you prefer to talk first, call (231) 881-9054 or schedule a complimentary meet-and-greet.
No. Docs by the Bay focuses exclusively on adult medicine. Both Dr. Ling and Dr. Richmond are internists whose training and careers center entirely on adult patient care.
Practice last updated April 10, 2026