The Ozarks region and Southwestern Missouri have suffered from a shortage of primary care physicians for years.
Residents face long waits to get an appointment time with a primary care doctor or pediatrician. And when they do get an appointment, they often have to drive many miles to get to the clinic. And because most traditional insurance-based primary care practices have massive administrative overhead costs, doctors have to maintain very large patient loads. As a result, patients often only have a few minutes’ real facetime with their primary care doctor.
Fortunately, that’s changing for Southwest Missouri residents. Direct primary care medicine, or DPC, is gaining traction in the region, giving residents a real choice, and improved access to primary care.
We identified two of the best direct primary care practices in the region. And as of this writing, they’re currently taking on new patients.
This article will briefly discuss what direct primary care is, and introduce you to the primary care doctors bringing direct primary care to Neosho, Jasper, Cassville, Mount Vernon, and the nearby communities.
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What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a healthcare model where patients bypass traditional insurance companies, and instead pay a flat monthly fee directly to their doctor for a range of primary care services.
This model eliminates the need for traditional insurance. This allows practices to function with a much smaller patient load. Doctors therefore have much more time to spend with each patient, if needed. This translates into a much more rewarding professional relationship for doctors, and a much better healthcare experience for patients.
It also simplifies the fee structure: With direct primary care, all primary care services are included in one affordable monthly subscription fee. There are no deductibles, copays, or coinsurance costs to worry about. Patients can make as many appointments as necessary to properly treat or maintain their medical condition.
And access to care is much better: Direct primary care doctors can frequently make same-day or next day appointments, or arrange a telehealth visit after hours, if need be, to take care of your medical issue.
Here are some of the top DPC practices serving the residents of Neosho, Jasper, and nearby communities:
1. Free Market Physician Clinic
The Free Market Physician Clinic has been providing direct primary care services to Ozark residents since 2014. Patients receive a wide range of primary care services with no copays or deductibles. The practice prides itself on its track record of seeing patients on time. If you aren’t seeing your doctor at your appointed time, you get a refund.
The Free Market Physician Clinic serves patients in two locations: Neosho, Missouri and Jasper, Missouri. And, of course, you can also visit with your doctor remotely, via telemedicine.
Meet Dr. Joseph Sheppard, D.O.
Raised in Southeast Idaho, Dr. Sheppard’s journey to medicine began with a Bachelor’s degree in Print Journalism from Utah State University. He started his career in journalism in Utah covering the healthcare reform beat. This is where he first encountered primary care medicine and discovered its advantages. Sheppard was intrigued, and decided to leave journalism and pursue a career in osteopathic medicine, with the aim of starting a direct primary care practice of his own.
While attending the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Dr. Sheppard also wrote the “Free Market Physician” blog.
After medical school, Sheppard completed his residency at Cox Family Practice Residency in Springfield, Missouri. He founded the Free Market Clinic as insurance-free practice in 2014. Since then, Dr. Sheppard’s focus has been on providing affordable, direct patient care.
Dr. Sheppard is married with five children, and is an avid basketball fan. He is happy to discuss basketball and the NBA during consultations, but please keep him on task, because he can get carried away.
Services and Benefits
- Unlimited visits with no copays.
- 24-hour access to your doctor via email, text, and phone
- Same-day availability for urgent issues
- Medications, Prescriptions and Labs at cost
- Freedom From Insurance and Hospital System
- Available in-clinic procedures include common primary care clinic procedures such as:
- suture placement
- cryotherapy
- joint injections
- skin biopsies
Contact Information
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can reach Free Market Physician Clinic Directly
- Locations
- Neosha Office 4040 Laquesta Dr., Neosha, MO, 64850
- Joplin Office 4830 E 32nd St #7, Joplin, MO 64804
- Phone (417) 283-4943
- Website https://freemarketphysicians.com
Pricing Information
- Enrollment Fee: $40
- Adults: $80
- Children: $40
- Family: $240
- Employer group benefit pricing:
- Adult $65
- Child $30
2.) Roark Family Health
Located in Casville, Missouri, Roark Family Health is dedicated to delivering superior, personalized healthcare directly connecting patients and physicians, free from insurance company intrusion.
By embracing the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, the practice prioritizes enhanced patient care through stronger doctor-patient relationships, ample time for each individual, and reduced healthcare expenses.
Meet Dr. Lisa Roark
Dr. Lisa Roark, MD, a local physician raised in Exeter, Missouri, is the founder and CEO of Roark Family Health.
Dedicated to serving her community, Dr. Roark provides personalized healthcare services through her practice. Recently, she also opened the Cassville Dispensary, offering medical marijuana products
Services Offered
- Acute care
- Chronic disease management
- Preventive care
- Wellness exams
- Pediatric care
- Women’s health services
- Minor procedures
- Medical certifications for medical marijuana
Pricing
- Individual Membership: $50 per month
- Family Membership: $100 per month for up to four family members, with an additional $25 per month for each additional member
- Enrollment Fees: A one-time enrollment fee of $50 per individual or $100 per family
Discounts may be available for annual payments or for certain groups such as teachers and first responders.
Contact Information
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can reach Roark Family Health Directly.
- Locations
- Main Office 1101 Main Street, Casville, MO 65625
- Phone (417) 847-1111
- Fax (417) 544-8660
- Email [email protected]
- Website https://www.roarkfamilyhealth.com/
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3.) Zion Asher Family Physicians
Located in Mount Vernon, Missouri, Zion Asher Family Physicians’ mission is to revolutionize healthcare by focusing on patient-centered care and eliminating the bureaucratic hurdles associated with traditional insurance models.
At Zion Asher Family Physicians, doctors leverage direct primary care to provide more time for patient interactions, reduce costs, and enhance the overall quality of care by fostering direct relationships between patients and their physicians.
Meet the Physician
The practice is led by Dr. Holder, who is committed to providing personalized and efficient healthcare services through the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model.
Services Offered
- Acute care
- Chronic disease management
- Preventive care
- Wellness exams
- Pediatric care
- Women’s health services
- Minor procedures
- Telemedicine (phone, text, email consultations)
Pricing
- Monthly Children Rate (Age 0-18) $34 ($49 w/o parent sign up)
- Monthly Adult Rate (Age 19-35) $69
- Monthly Adult Rate (Age 36-59) $79
- Monthly Adult Rate (Age 60+) $99
- Monthly Family Maximum $199
We charge a per family one-time enrollment fee of $85 if you enroll with auto-pay. Without auto-pay enrollment the fee is $150.
Contact
- Address: 212 East South Street, Mount Vernon, MO 65712
- Phone: (417) 730-1989
- Fax: (417) 544-8660
- Email [email protected]
- Website: https://www.zionasher.com
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