In autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, or organs. As well as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, there are over 100 types of autoimmune diseases. A variety of symptoms can accompany autoimmune diseases, including inflammation, fatigue, rashes, and organ damage. Often, autoimmune diseases require frequent tests, medications, and specialist visits to diagnose and treat. A new approach to primary care, called direct primary care (DPC), has been developed to help patients with autoimmune diseases achieve better outcomes and quality of life.
There are a number of ways in which DPC can help patients with autoimmune diseases manage their condition:
With DPC, patients receive more personalized and comprehensive care from their physician, who can coordinate with other specialists and caregivers to ensure optimal treatment and follow-up for their autoimmune disease.
By eliminating insurance claims, copays, deductibles, and prior authorizations, DPC can reduce stress and confusion for autoimmune disease patients.
Patients with autoimmune diseases can receive care whenever they need it, without worrying about additional fees or waiting times. This can help them detect and prevent potential complications, such as infections, allergies, or flare-ups.
In DPC, patients are empowered to take a proactive approach to their health and wellness. In addition to educating the patient about their autoimmune disease and how it is managed, the physician can also provide information on lifestyle changes that can improve their condition, such as nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress management.
Patients with autoimmune diseases can benefit from DPC in many ways, including:
Study results have shown that DPC improves the quality of care and reduces hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and specialist referrals for chronic conditions such as autoimmune diseases.
By eliminating administrative overhead and inefficiencies of traditional fee-for-service models, DPC can reduce health care costs for both patients and physicians. The patient can also avoid unnecessary tests and treatments that may not be covered by their insurance in order to save money.
Enhanced patient-physician relationship: DPC can lead to a stronger bond between patients and physicians, based on trust, respect, and communication. When patients share their concerns and goals with their physicians, they can feel more comfortable and confident.
Here are some steps you can take if you are interested in joining a DPC practice:
Search for DPC physicians near you using online directories such as DPC Frontier or DPC Nation. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations.
Different DPC practices may offer different fees, services, policies, and philosophies. You should compare different plans and select one that best suits your needs and preferences. You should also ask about the availability of the physician, the scope of the services covered by the fee, the cancellation policy, and the referral network.
Once you have chosen a DPC plan, you will need to sign a contract with the doctor and pay the membership fee. Your medical history and current medications will also have to be provided. Your physician will then schedule your first appointment.
In spite of the fact that DPC covers most of your primary care needs, it does not replace your major medical insurance. Regardless of whether you have an autoimmune disease or other condition, you will still need a health plan that covers emergencies, hospitalizations, surgeries, or other specialty care.
In autoimmune diseases, your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, tissues, or organs. As well as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis, there are over 100 types of autoimmune diseases. A variety of symptoms can accompany autoimmune diseases, including inflammation, fatigue, rashes, and organ damage. Often, autoimmune diseases require frequent tests, medications, and specialist visits to diagnose and treat. A new approach to primary care, called direct primary care (DPC), has been developed to help patients with autoimmune diseases achieve better outcomes and quality of life.
DPC is a model of health care delivery that allows patients to pay a monthly or annual fee directly to their primary care physician, without involving insurance companies or third-party payers. A primary care provider can provide a patient with consultations, examinations, lab tests, prescriptions, and referrals for this fee. Patients can also access their physician by phone, email, or video chat with DPC.
DPC can help autoimmune disease patients manage their condition by providing personalized and comprehensive care, eliminating the hassle and cost of dealing with insurance claims, encouraging patients to seek care whenever they need it, and empowering them to play a proactive role in their health and wellness.
There are many benefits to DPC for patients with autoimmune diseases, including improved health outcomes, lower health care costs, and improved relationships with their doctors. For your autoimmune disease management, you should find a DPC physician near you, compare different DPC plans, enroll in a DPC plan, and maintain your major medical coverage if you wish to join a DPC practice.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the famed immunologist, once said, “Autoimmune diseases are very complex conditions.” The pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases is complex, and there are more than 80 different types. DPC can help you find a physician who will treat you and your autoimmune disease with compassion and care.
