What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care is a movement in the United States which bypasses health insurance with its high premiums and deductibles, thus simply billing the patient directly but at a lower cost for primary care services. It allows more time with the doctor, who in the insurance world, would be moving the patient through “assembly line medicine,” with an average of seven-minute visits, and often ordering unnecessary tests, treatments, or referrals when the rushed family physician could handle much more if allowed the time. Patients currently are not permitted by insurance to bring up concerns during a physical and must schedule another appointment. How would that look if a physician who knew them well could address more at one visit? How about having a physician who considers the whole person?
How is DPC different than concierge medicine?
Direct Primary Care aims to be affordable; whereas, Concierge Medicine double dips by charging you a high monthly membership ($300-400) plus charges your insurance at each visit. So you still have to meet your maximum-out-of pocket insurance cost, such as $3500-$8500 each year, plus you don’t have the option for discounted labs and procedures.
This office membership is not health insurance. We do recommend that you purchase some sort of health insurance, such as a low premium high deductible insurance, or a health-sharing plan, to help cover specialist and hospital expenses.
Videos about DPC
Plum Health DPC
Why Do Longer Appointments with Your Primary Care Doctor Matter? 