If you’re concerned about the rising cost of healthcare insurance and its declining value, you’re not alone. Families are paying more each year and getting less in satisfaction and value. However, there may be a solution – direct medical care.
The direct Primary Care (DPC) model is a medical practice where providers deal directly with their patients. No insurance or any form of middlemen between the physician and the patient. Besides being less costly, there are other benefits you get from DPC. Discover a few of the benefits here.
1. True Relationship-Based Care
Did the doctor seem in a hurry the last time you visited? That’s because there are more patients on the waiting list. Usually, medical providers get paid by the number of patients they treat.
The more patients they see in a day, the better the payday. So it’s understandable that they’d be in a hurry to reach targets, even if they’re not providing the same level of care they could offer if that list were cut in half.
On the other hand, direct medical care physicians generally have fewer patients. As a patient, you have more time with the doctor, and the provider is also available during what’s generally considered after-hours in addition to a more traditional schedule. The increased access to the provider builds more trust and reduces costs that would have been used in urgent care and ER visits.
2. Transparency and Ease of Financial Transactions
Consider how many people work at your doctor’s office — the front desk, a clinical staff, an administrator, and a biller to file a claim to name a few. The staffers you see during your visit (and even those you don’t) have to be paid. And guess who pays for all that? You through your insurance.
As you can see, it can get expensive. And that’s where direct care comes in.
In the conventional medical system, the costs are very high. And many times, there is no transparency about what you’re paying for. But DPC medical costs are, on average, 5-10 times less than more traditional methods. You pay on an ongoing basis with unlimited amounts at a reasonable fee. The cost is usually $30-80 per adult and can go even lower for children.
Most DPC practices include lab and medication costs together with the monthly fee. And when something is not included, you can negotiate discounts on your behalf.
3. The Government Is Working To Have Direct Care More Accessible And Affordable
A new bill is being tabled that could see direct care more accessible and affordable to the masses. The Primary Care Enhancement Act (PCEA) seeks to make DPC compatible with health savings accounts and highly deductible health plans, resulting in families saving more on healthcare.
The legislation allows DPC membership without forfeiting contributions to a Health Savings Account. The move will see DPC expand as more patients choose to see the doctor of their choice without added financial constraints.
4. Direct Care Meets National Healthcare Goals
There are widely accepted objectives for enhancing patient care and improving health, reducing costs, and addressing the issue of provider burnout. Only DPC addresses these issues.
While it is only emerging and currently has a smaller footprint, direct care is becoming increasingly popular in healthcare delivery. It addresses issues the current system cannot handle and is a favorite among patients and health providers.
Conclusion
The direct care system restores the lost patient-physician relationship. The system’s goal is not to document a visit like the traditional healthcare system but for the patient to spend more time with the physician for quality health. Consider these benefits so that you can determine if this should be your preferred choice for healthcare.
Photo Credit
Photo is from pixabay
Guest Author Bio
Trenton J. Smith
Trenton is an aspiring writer who loves to research and write about a wide variety of topics. When he is not writing, he enjoys gardening and long walks with his dog Boomer.
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