Local Legends of the Flint Hills: How Dr. Andrew Pope is Transforming Primary Care in Manhattan, KS with BlueFire Med

When it comes to primary care in Manhattan, Kansas, most people think of long wait times, rushed appointments, and expensive medical bills. But for Dr. Andrew Pope, founder of BlueFire Med, healthcare in the Flint Hills can — and should — look different.

In this Local Legends of the Flint Hills feature, I sat down with Dr. Pope to talk about his journey from small-town Kansas farm boy to Manhattan’s trusted direct primary care physician. His passion for helping patients and his commitment to transparent, affordable healthcare have made him a local favorite — and a disruptor in the way medicine is delivered in our community.

From Small-Town Kansas to Manhattan’s Medical Scene

Dr. Pope grew up outside a small town in northwest Kansas. Even in third grade, he told his teacher he wanted to become a doctor. That dream never wavered.

After earning his undergraduate, medical degree, and residency through the University of Kansas, he and his wife settled in Manhattan, KS in 2012. With five young children (including identical twin girls!) and a small family farm just outside town, Dr. Pope has built deep roots in the Flint Hills community.

The Problem with Traditional Healthcare

Like many physicians, Dr. Pope began his career in an insurance-based primary care practice. While he worked with great colleagues, the system’s constraints — limited appointment times, third-party rules, and lack of price transparency — clashed with his vision of patient care.

“I’ve always wanted to have the time to truly listen to patients, provide the right treatment, and help them without unnecessary financial harm,” Pope says. “Insurance often made that impossible.”

The Birth of BlueFire Med in Manhattan, KS

In 2017, Dr. Pope partnered with Dr. Mickey Minoa to launch BlueFire Med, a direct primary care clinic in Manhattan. The goal was simple:

✅ Remove the middleman.
✅ Give patients more time and better access to their doctor.
✅ Lower the cost of medical care without lowering quality.

BlueFire Med operates like the “Netflix of medicine” — patients pay a flat monthly membership fee for unlimited access to care. That means same-day or next-day appointments, text or email access to your physician, and wholesale pricing on labs, medications, and imaging.

How Direct Primary Care Works at BlueFire Med

1. Membership Enrollment – New patients start with a simple online signup.

2. Meet & Greet – Before you commit, Dr. Pope explains exactly how the model works, including after-hours access, pricing, and care options.

3. Unlimited Visits – Need to see your doctor three times in a month? No extra fee.

4. Wholesale Pricing - For many families in Manhattan, the savings quickly add up — especially when avoiding unnecessary ER visits for minor injuries or late-night toddler mishaps.

Why “BlueFire”?

The name “BlueFire” reflects Dr. Pope’s passion for medicine and his patients. The blue part of a flame is the hottest — a symbol of the energy and determination that fueled his decision to break away from the traditional model and create something better for Manhattan.

The Local Impact

In just six years, BlueFire Med has grown to capacity, serving patients from across Manhattan, Wamego, Junction City, and the Flint Hills region. A waiting list is already in place, but Dr. Pope hints at adding another physician to meet demand.

Patients like my family have experienced not just better care, but thousands of dollars in savings thanks to Dr. Pope’s willingness to answer questions after hours, provide affordable medications, and prioritize what’s best for our health — not what’s dictated by insurance.

How to Join BlueFire Med in Manhattan, KS

If you’re tired of waiting weeks for an appointment or paying high out-of-pocket costs for basic care, BlueFire Med’s direct primary care model might be exactly what you need.

Visit bluefiremed.com to learn more about pricing, membership details, and availability. Even with a waiting list, this is one healthcare option in Manhattan worth pursuing.

Watch the full interview