Physicians are burnt out and fed up with having to take the backseat when it comes to their own patients’ treatments in community family practice. So primary care physicians are turning to a more promising, patient-focused medical practice: membership-based models such as Direct Primary Care (DPC).
The traditional, fee-for-service health care model has always been notorious for leaving doctors and their patients the short end of the stick. Overworked yet underpaid primary care physicians, soaring medical expenses – the medical industry’s most important stakeholders are no longer having it, and it shows.
Despite having the highest health care spending, the United States ranks last (among 11 other high-income countries) when it comes to positive health outcomes. This is largely because many American citizens continue to have little to no access to primary care.
Poor quality of primary care [in America] has contributed to inadequate prevention and management of chronic diseases, delayed diagnoses, incomplete adherence to treatments, wasteful overuse of drugs and technologies, and coordination and safety problems.- Says Commonwealth Fund’s international health care analysis
Many patients fail to realize that having no access to quality primary care is a disaster waiting to happen. Medical studies revealed that there is a direct correlation between unreliable access to primary care and increased ER trips, hospital confinement, and higher health expenses.
This is why more and more primary care physicians could no longer stand to dwell on the depressing realities of the traditional, insurance-based system and have taken it upon themselves to drive a refreshing, new alternative into public consciousness.
Primary care (finally) done right
24/7 access to your physician’s personal line, unlimited clinic appointments, discounted medication, and out-patient services – Direct Primary Care is designed to address the systemic issues of the traditional, insurance-based health care model.
Patients get to say goodbye to ballooning medical bills and not having access to their health care plan when they need it most. We have all encountered America’s health care horror stories, in one way or another, and Direct Primary Care is expected to be a huge sigh of relief for patients.
Doctors, on the other hand, can finally bid goodbye to billing codes and unnecessary paperwork.
A large percentage of the face-to-face time is devoted to actual care. My waiting room is usually empty, and my average wait time is still under 10 minutes. The obvious advantage to this is better care. There simply is more time to think about things, to listen to patients, and to educate them.- Says Dr. Rob Lamberts, MD
Direct Primary Care physicians like Dr. Rob Lamberts, MD, appreciate the fact that they can spend as much time with their patients as necessary.
This is a far cry from the alternate reality where doctors have morphed into cold, robotic technicians and less like caring, empathetic physicians.
Who knew that by simply eliminating these involved third parties, Direct Primary Care could shine a lighted path amid America’s impending primary care crisis?
Patients will be pleasantly surprised to discover how much more affordable and how higher the quality of primary care can be without the intervention of these third parties.
Filling in the gaps of community family practice
Both doctors and patients are quick to point out the stark contrast between Direct Primary Care and the traditional, fee-for-service health care model.
Giving patients the freedom to contact their physicians anytime for medical advice has made Direct Primary Care a real game-changer.
Now that patients are granted access to their doctor’s personal line, they are less likely to turn to the exorbitantly expensive ER as their primary care provider. This has proven to be especially valuable for patients with chronic conditions, such as heart problems or diabetes.
Case in point, when left untreated, most chronic heart problems often lead to surgery. That’s $44,000 to $500,000, depending on which hospital you are admitted to, versus affordable maintenance medication, which can even be dispensed to you at a discounted rate by your DPC physician (go figure).
Moreover, DPC practices make primary care services conveniently accessible for patients for a flat subscription fee has done wonders to improve health outcomes and reduce medical expenses for patients all over America.
The future of primary care is here.
From treating cuts and joint injuries to conducting routine check-ups and diagnostic screenings, imagine having a doctor you can rely on for anything about preventive/routine care. That is the magic of Direct Primary Care.
Direct Primary Care removes the stigma behind seeing your doctor, restoring that doctor-patient relationship crucial to lasting, good health. In addition, patients in the DPC practice are no longer anxious about setting an appointment with their physician to fear having their medical bills pile up.
A healthier, happier quality of life; affordable health care; and the chances of ER trips and hospitalization significantly slimmed down - the long-term financial savings and valuable benefits of Direct Primary Care are immeasurable.
Those reasons alone are enough for Direct Primary Care to get our vote of confidence. Do you think you would benefit from a DPC doctor? We have the most extensive collection of DPC doctors in the US. Find your nearest DPC doctor in your area today at – findmydirectdoctor.com
