If you’re exploring ways to manage your healthcare, you could be wondering whether to choose direct primary care (DPC) or a traditional health insurance plan. In order to choose wisely, it’s important to understand what each option offers and excludes. Only then can you make an informed decision about your own personal healthcare.
Here, we’ll explain what direct primary care is and some of the important advantages associated with this healthcare model. Then, we’ll explore the similarities between direct primary care and traditional healthcare covered by a health insurance plan. Lastly, we’ll show you why a combination of direct primary care AND traditional health insurance could be the ultimate health management solution.
Understanding DPC: Key Benefits and Considerations
Direct primary care, also referred to as DPC, is a healthcare model in which patients pay a flat fee to their primary healthcare clinic in exchange for a variety of services. The membership fee may be charged monthly or yearly but gives patients direct, unlimited access to providers at that clinic.
Instead of billing per visit or submitting claims to a health insurance company, the clinic provides membership-covered services. These include things like preventative healthcare, acute care, in-office labs, and more. Additional services, like lab work or x-rays, can be provided at an additional cost.
Many individuals and families choose direct primary care for these benefits:
- Affordable quality healthcare – For a reasonable monthly or yearly fee, patients can see their primary care provider as many times as they wish. This means they can get the care they need, when they need it.
- Easy access to doctors – Patients often enjoy same-day appointments for urgent needs with their primary care physician and can also reach them by phone, email, video, or text.
- Longer appointment times – DPC physicians typically spend 30-60 minutes per patient, per visit. This allows them to get to know their patients better and provide more personalized service.
- Transparent pricing – Patients know exactly what they’ll pay for their healthcare up front – no hassles and no surprise bills!
Direct Primary Care vs. Traditional Health Insurance: Differences
The key differences between DPC and traditional healthcare often relate to the type of care provided and how that’s billed.
Direct primary care:
- Focuses on preventative care and promotes healthy living
- Typically offers patients more time with their doctor
- Is covered by a set membership fee
- Covers primary services such as acute care, in-house labs, and in-house procedures
- Offers transparent pricing
Traditional healthcare:
- Often focuses on treatment of patients after they’ve become ill
- Typically limits the time spent with doctors since these physicians see more patients
- Is billed to a health insurance company and costs vary by region, provider, and service
- Covers a broad range of services including emergency care, rehabilitation, and hospitalization
- Is often complex to understand, although co-pays and deductibles are usually clearly stated
DPC AND Traditional Health Insurance: The Ideal Health Management Solution?
For many healthy individuals, visits to the doctor are few and far between. Or, they choose to see their primary care physician regularly for preventative services so they can STAY healthy.
Even the healthiest people have emergencies, however, and sometimes require surgeries, treatment for serious health conditions, or other services not covered under the DPC model. That’s why the best health management solution could actually be a combination of direct primary care AND a traditional health insurance plan. While DPC often covers about 80% of the typical patient’s healthcare needs, healthshares or a traditional health insurance plan can be useful for addressing major medical events or conditions.
Direct Primary Care Options in the Phoenix, AZ Area
At Ark Family Health, we’re passionate about providing affordable, quality healthcare. Operating under the direct primary care model, we’re proud to provide primary care services for individuals, families, and employers in the greater Phoenix area. Our convenient locations in Peoria and Gilbert enable us to serve people all over the East Valley and we’d love to be YOUR partner in healthy living!
Contact us today to learn more about how our membership plans work and what DPC can do for YOU.
