Direct Primary Care is a relatively recent medical business model designed to help correct the imbalance with the current medical model that is medical insurance driven. With low reimbursement, high staff demands, and the burden of charting, the current insurance model requires medical providers to see a large patient base which often leads to rushed visits, lack of access for patients, improper education on their disease processes, and poor long term outcomes. This newer model cuts out the “middle man” of modern insurance allowing patients a better relationship with their provider and better care overall.

The goal of the direct primary care model is to give patients improved quality of their healthcare at an affordable rate by cutting out the very large burden of practices trying to navigate current health insurance systems. By reducing overhead and allowing a less patient load, patients in turn get longer office visits, more direct access with their provider, a true relationship with their provider, and relatively soon visits when needed. This allows patients to be able ask questions and work directly with their provider to help improve their overall health and disease prevention

Though, there are some similarities with concierge medicine, direct primary care also has some distinct differences. The goal of the direct primary care model is to make primary care more affordable for the patient while provide exceptional care to the patient. Often, concierge medicine is catered to high income individuals and often provides around the clock access with their provider. Many of these models also still bill a patient’s insurance as well as charging a monthly fee for these extra “concierge” services. The goal of direct primary care is to give patients better quality regarding the care they receive from their provider in a way that is affordable for the patient.

The Direct Primary Care model is designed to move away from the insurance model as that has not been beneficial for providers nor patients. So, I do not bill insurance but patients can use their insurance for labs, imaging and prescriptions based on what facility they go to in order to obtain these.

Yes, the electronic health record used is called CharmEHR. This offers a HIPAA compliant virtual appointment that patient can access through their patient portal. This is encrypted for security on Zoom. Patient can also message their provider directly through their portal which is also HIPAA compliant.

Yes, patient’s often get their labs at large hospitals, Labcorp, or quest. They also can take imaging orders to imaging centers and the results are faxed through the electronic medical record. Patients often use their health insurance for these services but if they choose not to, they can also get discounted labs through Quest Diagnostics. Functional lab testing such as organic acids, urine/salivary hormone testing, genetic SNP tests, and food sensitivity testing is also available for patients when indicated.

No, patients can chose to pay as services are rendered. This is the “pay as you go” model in which patients are charged based on provider time. This time includes time within the visit but also time outside of the visit. This gives patients the option based on what their needs may require. In the membership model, their 5 office visits per year and provider time outside of visit is included in the monthly premium.