What Is Direct Primary Care?

The Direct Primary Care Model Is Different from Concierge Medicine

Direct primary care is the healthcare model employed by the physicians at ProPartners Healthcare. It enhances patient access to physicians, improves quality of care, and reduces costs.

The DPC model enables our physicians to:

Be available to patients 24/7 via text, email, or phone call.
Provide care that is comprehensive and affordable.
Reduce medical expenses; we never charge copays, office visit fees, or deductibles

Breaking Down the Direct Primary Care Model

Direct

“Direct” means NO middlemen between you and your doctor. No insurance companies will dictate your care. You will receive direct access to your personal doctor any time you need it. You can call, text, or email your doctor’s mobile phone 24/7. Plus, you can schedule same-day appointments during office hours. You pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited office visits and direct primary care from your doctor.

Primary

“Primary” means you have one main physician that handles the entirety of your healthcare needs. Although many people piecemeal their medical care using multiple providers, you’re better off using one doctor who really knows you as your primary health resource. Ninety percent of your healthcare needs are best handled by your primary care physician, but only if they are available when you need them. Our DPC model guarantees that they always will be.

People who have a relationship with a direct primary care doctor dramatically decrease their chances of needing “secondary” care, including hospitalizations, ER visits, specialist visits, urgent care, surgeries, CAT scans, and MRIs. The patients at ProPartners Healthcare not only have an easier time maintaining optimal health, but they also end up saving money through preventative measures. If we can help our patients avoid one trip to the ER, the membership essentially pays for itself.

“Primary” also means that your DPC doctor is your first call for health information, serving as your very own personal adviser and advocate in navigating today’s complex healthcare system. Your DPC doctor is motivated to help you and has a vested interest in your long-term health. It’s comforting to know that, as opposed to insurance-participating volume-based doctors, DPC doctors don’t make more money by ordering more tests, medications, or by referring you to other doctors and facilities.

Care

“Care” refers to the quality of treatment, and our patients have nothing but glowing things to say about our physicians, staff, and approach. High-quality primary healthcare and creating a positive patient experience are directly related to the time spent with your doctor.

Most hospitals and healthcare facilities prioritize patient volume. This means physicians are overextended, thus, truncating appointment times and impacting the quality of care.

Our direct primary care doctors limit the number of patients they care for to less than 1/3 of what other primary care doctors take on. That means you have access when you need it, un-rushed visits, a doctor who actually listens, and is empathetic and considerate of your needs and concerns.

How Is the Direct Primary Care Model Different from Concierge Healthcare?

The healthcare space has no shortage of terminology and descriptors of physician services. Some terms are used interchangeably when they shouldn’t be, and “concierge medicine” is one we hear most frequently.

The following are the main differences between concierge medicine and the DPC model.

Concierge medicine is far more expensive compared to DPC. Whereas concierge medicine can cost as much as $10k per year, the average cost of DPC is around $100 per month or less.
In addition to the membership fee, concierge healthcare providers bill patients or the patients’ medical insurance for all services, thus charging an access fee and for all medical services they perform. DPC does not bill insurance at all.
Concierge healthcare providers bill patients and their insurance at the insurance allowable “full price” for all services. When DPC bills for incidental services like labs or medications, it provides heavily discounted or “at cost” pricing. Any ancillary or incidental services are typically less than the membership fee.

Ready to learn more about the DPC model and why it’s the right fit for you and your family? Contact us to arrange a 15 meet-and-greet with one of our direct primary care physicians.