Introduction
Direct primary care is an emerging healthcare model that's gaining popularity with patients and providers. The biggest draw? Provider's offices that offer this type of care are more accessible and affordable than traditional providers' offices. Here are some of the top benefits of direct primary care:
Direct primary care offers a broader, more holistic approach to healthcare delivery.
Direct primary care is a type of primary care.
In addition to the preventive and wellness services that are typically provided by your primary-care provider (PCP), direct primary care offers more comprehensive, holistic health services for less than you would pay through traditional insurance plans. It's a patient-centered approach to healthcare delivery: providers and patients work together as partners in the healing process instead of relying on third-party intermediaries like insurance companies or government agencies.
Longer appointment times, same-day appointments, and sick visits without additional fees are all benefits of direct primary care.
Many people who use direct primary care are able to see their provider more often than they would be able to in a traditional health insurance plan. This is because the fees for each appointment are lower and therefore, there are no additional costs for sick visits or same-day appointments. This gives you more time to discuss your health concerns with your provider without having to worry about how much it’s going to cost you or whether the visit will count toward your annual maximum benefits.
With direct primary care, you get to know your provider better.
Direct primary care is a model that allows you to have frequent, unrestricted access to your provider. You can get to know your provider on a personal level and ask them questions about your health and receive answers. Additionally, you can talk about anything else in your life—from family issues to financial concerns—and build a close bond with them. This type of relationship makes it easier for patients to trust their providers and feel comfortable talking about any topic that may come up during visits or phone calls.
The transparency between patients and providers also makes it easier for providers to explain complicated medical procedures or treatments because they’re not required to rush through appointments like they would be in traditional practices where they see multiple patients every day; they don't need as much time with each patient so there are no longer interruptions from co-workers needing assistance outside the room where appointments take place either before or after theirs (or both!).
Direct primary care minimizes unnecessary testing and procedures.
The goal of direct primary care is to reduce the amount of unnecessary testing and procedures. The key reason for this is that many of these tests are not covered by insurance, which means the patient has to pay out-of-pocket or get stuck with the bill later.
Direct primary care providers (DPCPs) do not accept insurance because their patients pay a monthly fee for their services rather than seeing them for each appointment. This allows DPCPs to make decisions about care based on what's best for their patients, rather than what's covered by insurance or what will make them more money.
This includes: reducing unnecessary referrals; reducing unnecessary hospitalizations; minimizing ER visits; minimizing specialist visits and referrals; minimizing lab tests and imaging tests.
You’ll have access to multiple modes of communication with your provider when you sign up for direct primary care.
You'll have access to multiple modes of communication with your provider when you sign up for direct primary care.
Your provider will likely communicate with you in a variety of ways, including phone calls and emails. If telemedicine is an option in your area and the cost is reasonable, he or she may also offer video chats as an option. Texting is another way to communicate with your provider. If necessary, he or she can text you back quickly during his or her office hours—or even after-hours—so that you don't have to wait until the next day if something comes up at night or on the weekend that needs immediate attention.
Direct Primary Care offers patients and providers more autonomy.
Unlike traditional health insurance plans, Direct Primary Care does not require you to have any additional insurance. This means that patients are no longer required to pay for the services of a specialist or out-of-network provider when they need one. As a result of this reduced cost burden, providers can offer their care at a lower price point and still make ends meet.
The lack of stacks of paperwork also allows your provider more time to spend with each patient, which means more face time and fewer excuses for not getting results right away. You'll be able to schedule appointments when it works best for you rather than having them limited by the insurance company's schedule.
Since providers don't have to worry about billing issues or fighting with insurers over reimbursement rates, they'll actually be able to focus on providing patients with quality care without being bogged down in paperwork and bureaucracy.
You'll have improved access to providers outside of the office.
You will have improved access to providers outside of the office.
Telemedicine is a fast-growing trend in healthcare that allows patients and their providers to connect remotely through video conferencing technology, phone calls or online messaging platforms. Telemedicine has been shown to help patients who either don't have access to a provider or don't want to visit one in person.
Conclusion
Direct primary care is an industry with a lot of potential and is paving the way to access to affordable, compassionate and QUALITY healthcare without the frustration of jumping through those insurance company hoops. As it continues to grow and mature, we're sure to see more innovative solutions for patients and providers alike.