We all know how important having quality health insurance is, especially for medical emergencies that could happen to you or your family. However, there’s also the reality of the cost of paying for your insurance premiums. While health insurance is crucial to have, it is not a perfect solution to the high costs of healthcare…. nor does it guarantee the quality of service you receive. It’s for that reason that some people turn to an alternative called direct primary care (DPC), which is a relatively new and lesser-known model of healthcare delivery. If you want to learn more about direct primary care in Atlanta, here’s a simple guide on why you need to switch to it.
1. DPC Charges a Regular Monthly Fee
You may be asking, “Well, that’s no different than paying for an insurance premium every month, isn’t it?” The difference with direct primary care is that it’s way more affordable than getting health insurance. They’re basically a form of membership or subscription to a healthcare providers’ service, like Netflix, that can cost anywhere from $50 to $120 per month. In some DPC practices, they even charge lower fees but with a $10 consultation fee every visit. Either way, you only get to pay a fraction of the amount of an insurance premium to get some professional medical help.
2. DPC Doesn’t Bill Third Parties on a Fee-For-Service Basis
What’s great about direct primary care is that it doesn’t use a middle man like an insurer to process your bill or help you find a specialist. In a DPC setup, you deal directly with the healthcare provider and get the treatment you need. This means that DPC lets you establish a direct relationship between you and your doctor. You never have to worry if you will be reimbursed for the services they provide. And, your provider doesn’t work for the insurance executives….they work for YOU!
3. DPC is Not a form of Health Insurance
Direct primary care clinics do not require insurance for walk-in services or memberships. But you can still combine your own health insurance with DPC. The good thing is, cash-based patients will never be turned away for not having any insurance coverage. In traditional models of health care, special interest groups, including health insurance companies, financially benefit from a corporate model of health care. This is why insurance premiums can go as high as $2000 for a family in some states. When you choose DPC, your money goes farther for the healthcare that you need.
4. DPC Allows Easier Access to Healthcare
Without the obvious limitations and overcomplicated processing of bills and insurance, it is the health and wellness of the person that’s important above all else. That’s what DPC is for and what DPC providers get to focus on instead of the red-tape of insurance requirements. To get rid of the middle-man and allow patients quick access to healthcare whenever they need it. In most direct primary care clinics, doctors give patients their contact numbers so they can call them anytime for emergencies. Doctors will also perform regular checkups and to make sure you’re up to date with your tests.
Conclusion
The direct primary care model has begun to show its strength in the healthcare sector. This new approach to providing quality healthcare offers a lot of benefits for many individuals and families. While it’s not an overall solution to all healthcare needs, it’s definitely a step in the right direction, especially for primary care.
HealthSprings Direct is just the partner you need when it comes to getting quality healthcare you can afford. If you don’t want to get caught up in the broken and complex healthcare system in place, working with a direct primary care physician is your best option. With HealthSprings Direct you get to work directly with a primary care physician whenever you need to. Contact us today to sign up for our accessible and personalized medical care services.