At this point, most people are familiar with the direct primary care (DPC) model of healthcare, an alternative to the typical fee-for-service insurance billing. Direct primary care has increased in popularity over the past few years, and it’s estimated that there are now over 1200 direct primary care clinics across 48 states in the U.S.
What you may not know, however, is exactly what makes direct primary care differently than traditional healthcare. There are a number of facets to DPC that give it a leg up over the conventional models, and here we’ll highlight just how it can be a gamechanger for families and healthcare as a whole.
Accessibility
A common complaint for many Americans is inability to actually see their physician in a timely fashion. In fact, a recent survey showed that many Americans will go to an urgent care clinic instead of making an appointment with their primary care physician, because they know they won’t be seen the same day otherwise.
In a direct primary care setting, physicians limit the number of patients they take on so that they’re able to provide a more personal level of care. DPC physicians make themselves available directly to their patients via phone, text or email 24/7, and allow them to book same-day appointments during office hours so patients are never forced to turn to urgent care for non-emergencies.
Simplified Fee Structure
For many Americans, going to the doctor for even a minor ailment or preventative treatment means either a co-pay or a hefty bill. And if anything goes askew in the billing process, it could mean hours on the phone with your insurance provider trying to sort out the discrepancies. The problem of healthcare and affordability is so pressing that approximately a quarter of Americans avoid going to the doctor just so they won’t have to deal with the resulting bills!
DPC structure their fees and billing in a vastly different way. You pay a flat monthly fee, and in exchange you receive 24/7 access to your doctor, same-day appointments, and access to all the services available at the office, including office surgeries, diagnostic tests, and annual physicals. There is also a discounted cost on diagnostic imaging and blood tests.
When the majority of the family healthcare you need is covered under your monthly fee, you don’t have to stress about an unexpected trip to the doctor. It’s already paid for – so you don’t have to worry about your finances at the expense of your health.
Efficient Care
Another unique aspect of DPCs: because of the limited number of patients that each doctor serves, plus the streamlined billing process, direct primary care providers can offer care exactly when you need it most, and in the most efficient manner possible; no insurance hassles or packed offices. Just you getting the care you need in the way and time that it works best for your schedule.
Attentive Doctors
Because most people don’t see their primary physicians on a regular enough basis, and due to the number of patients that most doctors accept into their practice, many of us hardly know our primary physicians. And sometimes it’s hard to even know whether your physician remembers you from one visit to the next.
This is definitely not the case with direct primary care. Your physician is able to build a one-on-one relationship with you and your family, so that he or she can truly get to know your needs and the type of care you are looking for. Plus, in a DPC clinic, the office paperwork and billing is streamlined so that clinicians can focus on you, the patient – not the business side of the practice.
ProPartners Health Direct Primary Care
Direct primary care is a unique and growing form of family healthcare. And with its patient benefits and personalized approach to wellness, you can discover a form of healthcare that truly works for you and your family.
Want to learn more about direct primary care and see if it’s right for your family? ProPartners is here to help. Our affordable, accessible clinic offers you direct access to your physician 24/7, and gives you the opportunity to make same-day appointments with no middle-men, deductibles or co-pays. We offer service to individuals as well as families, and we even have employer programs for businesses who want to offer direct primary care to their employees. Learn more about our physicians and service offerings today!