Despite the involvement of various groups of people, healthcarecancanoverin America is still an incredibly expensive proposition. Health insurance premiums are rising each year. Those with pre-existing conditions are either unable or unwilling to purchase health insurance for fear of being denied coverage later.
As a result, there is always a stream of people asking about how to avoid paying for health insurance and still receive the care they need. The best solution is direct primary care. If you’re looking for an affordable way to manage your family’s healthcare needs without shelling out thousands each year in premiums then read on and discover reasons why you should consider signing up.
What is direct primary care?
Direct primary care (DPC) is a model of medical practice in which established patients pay a monthly membership fee to receive comprehensive, preventative healthcare services from their physician. These fees vary but most programs cost between $50 and $77. Members do not have to worry about high deductibles, co-insurance, co-pays, or surprise medical bills.
How much does direct primary care cost?
On average, the monthly membership fee is $77 but maybe more or less depending upon where you live and which physicians are available in your area. The membership fee covers primary care visits, prescriptions, hospitalization and 24-hour phone access to your physician. Some programs also cover specialist visits in certain circumstances.
Can you afford not to have direct primary care?
That’s the question everyone needs to ask themselves when considering whether or not they can afford direct primary care. Here’s how Our Primary Doc is perfect for you.
No More Co-Pays and Insurance Paperwork
DPC practices remove insurance companies from the equation. Patients pay a monthly fee to their doctor’s practice and have access to their doctor for anything from a cold, to a broken arm. Patients will know exactly what they’re paying at the start of each month and won’t have to worry about submitting claims or getting reimbursed aftercare has been given.
More Time to Care
One of the most important reasons to choose direct primary care is that doctors are freed up from dealing with insurance claims and paperwork so they can spend more time caring for patients. DPC physicians are able to meet with their existing patients more often, catch potential health problems before they become serious, and talk with patients about ways to improve their overall well-being.
Typically, primary care physicians spend about 10 minutes per patient visit and only see a small number of patients each day. With DPC, though, practices can hire more staff to provide individuals with the comprehensive care they need and deserve.
Lower Emergency Room Costs
Direct primary care is affordable for patients, but it also benefits the entire healthcare system by reducing the pressure on expensive ED visits. When patients are able to go right to their own doctor when they’re concerned about something, there’s far less chance of an unnecessary ER visit that can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Encourage Preventative Care
By paying a monthly fee to their DPC practice, patients are more likely to get preventative care because it costs less out-of-pocket than if they were to pay for the same services at an urgent care facility or hospital. This means that DPC practices can help patients avoid potential long-term health problems and catch them as soon as possible.
Improved Health Care Experience
When insurance companies aren’t breathing down a practice’s neck about their numbers, doctors can do what’s best for patients instead of worrying about productivity and meeting quotas. This means that primary care physicians spend more time with their patients every visit and provide better care as a result.
No More Paperwork and Insurance Delays
DPC is doctor-centric and puts the focus on direct patient care instead of the often confusing and frustrating world of insurance companies and paperwork. Patients can finally stop spending so much time trying to figure out how to pay for their care and just give the DPC practice a check each month instead of waiting weeks or months to get reimbursed for services they’ve already provided.
Accountability and Transparency
Patients pay a monthly fee directly to their doctor, so they know exactly how much money is going towards their healthcare expenses each month on top of insurance premiums. It’s easy for patients to understand their monthly costs, so there’s no need to submit claims or go through complicated paperwork once care has been given.
Avoid Medical Debt
Traditional primary care practices often see patients who are already struggling with medical debt, resulting from co-pays and other so-called “out of pocket” costs. By removing the barriers to access care, DPC practices empower patients to prioritize their health without worrying about how they’ll pay for it.
Quality Time with the Doctor
Since there’s no need for co-pays and the patient only has the doctor to pay at the start of each month, there’s more time that can be spent with patients during visits. This could allow practices to make house calls if needed. And direct access to a physician means more continuity of care, which is especially important for patients with chronic conditions.
Rather than seeing different doctors each month, patients in direct primary care practices have one doctor they can confide in and become familiar with before any major medical decisions or surgeries are made.
Tired of dealing with insurance companies? Sick of spending hours each month trying to figure out how to pay for your care? Ready for something better, more affordable, and much more convenient? Direct primary care has you covered.