How Direct Primary Care is Transforming Healthcare (And We’re Here For It!) 

What if you could skip the insurance nonsense, with its high out-of-pocket costs and complicated system of fees, copays, coinsurance, and deductibles, and just go see your doctor as often as needed — without having to worry about costs?

Well, by enrolling in a direct primary care (DPC) membership, you do precisely that!

In fact, these innovative medical plans and practices are leading to a much better healthcare experience and better outcomes for both patients and physicians alike.

The popularity of these plans have exploded in recent years, as thousands of patients and doctors have discovered the value of dropping traditional health insurance and replacing it with a much better model for both sides. 

Let us explore what DPC is, how it operates, its advantages and disadvantages, and how to optimize it for comprehensive health coverage.

Understanding Direct Primary Care

 Direct Primary Care is a groundbreaking healthcare model where patients bypass the health insurance intermediary and pay a fixed monthly fee for unrestricted primary care physician access. 

 This model eliminates the need for a billing office, reduces paperwork, and allows doctors to spend more time with patients, fostering a closer doctor-patient relationship.

More Time Per Patient

DPC physicians typically handle just 400-800 patients, compared to the average of 1500-2000 patients seen by traditional primary care physicians. 

This allows for a better quality of care, and more time per patient.  Appointments under DPC average 30-60 minutes with a physician, versus the typical 10-20 minutes of direct doctor time under conventional health insurance models. 

DPC vs. Insurance

DPC isn’t health insurance. 

While your DPC will provide primary care services like treating illness, minor injuries, or providing routine checkups, they likely do not conduct surgery, nor will they provide hospitalization. 

There are other medical charges you may face if you have to see a specialist, or perhaps have more expensive diagnostic tests. 

So for comprehensive protection, your DPC membership should be combined with other coverage forms, such as a health sharing plan, a high-deductible plan with a health savings account, or at least some accident insurance.

How DPC Works

Joining a local DPC practice is easy. You just sign up, get a monthly charge on your credit card, and talk to or see your doctor whenever you need to. 

1. Choose a DPC provider.
2. Pay the provider a monthly fee, typically between $85-$110.
3. Get unrestricted access to primary and selected chronic care.
4. Add health insurance or a healthshare plan to pay for services provided by your DPC practice.

What’s Included in a DPC Membership?

DPC offices are typically managed by independent doctors, so they all work a little differently. But most tend to offer the following benefits for a fixed monthly fee:

• Unlimited office visits, preventive care, and chronic disease management.
• Treatment for acute illnesses and basic pediatric services.
• Telehealth and mental health services.
• In-office procedures and wellness guidance.
• Extended appointment times and 24/7 access for some practices.
• Discounted lab and imaging services.

*Note: DPC practices vary in the specific services they offer, and the scope of services can differ from one provider to another. Patients interested in DPC should review the service offerings, pricing structure, and terms of their chosen DPC practice to ensure that it aligns with their healthcare needs and preferences.

Conclusion

We’re fans of the DPC model, because it provides better care for a very good price, and it gets the insurance company out of the primary care relationship. 

So instead of an employee who may be hemmed in under the rules of their corporation, you get to work with a doctor who’s primary interest is you. 

Direct Primary Care is getting more and more popular, and is actually reshaping healthcare, making it more personalized and accessible.

If this sounds like something that might be good for you, you can find a map of local DPC offices on our website, here.

Click here to schedule an appointment, or call 800-913-0172 to get started.    

To your health and wealth,

Wiley P. Long, III
President - HSA for America

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