I still get a lot of questions about how the direct primary care, or DPC, model works. While there are some doctors out there who have been practicing this model for 20 years, it is still considered to be a fairly new model and most people have not heard of DPC. We are starting to see a shift as both patients and physicians are becoming increasingly frustrated with the insurance-based, corporate healthcare systems, and there are around 2,000 DPC clinics currently operating around the country, so expect the DPC movement to continue to grow.
The lack of understanding of the DPC model stems from the fact that we have been conditioned by the system to equate healthcare with health insurance, to the point that it is hard for us to understand the concept of being able to get affordable healthcare outside of the typical insurance-based system. Obviously this is by design, as we watch insurance companies make billions of dollars in profit each and every year, while patients are paying ever increasing monthly premiums and high out-of-pocket deductibles.
I truly believe that DPC is the answer to our broken healthcare system, and this blog post aims to further explain the model and show you how DPC can benefit all patients.
Here are a few examples of how DPC prioritizes the physician-patient relationship to make healthcare more meaningful and more effective:
1. Unmatched Access to Your Physician
DPC patients have direct access to their physicians, which means you can call, text, or email your doctor anytime without navigating a complex phone tree or waiting weeks for an appointment. This immediacy ensures that you get the care you need when you need it, often within a few days, rather than weeks or months.
At Body Mind Spirit DPC I answer the phone myself. If I am with a patient or in a meeting, the phone will go to voicemail, but I am the one who returns that phone call. Your monthly membership fee covers unlimited office visits. You also have the option of telemedicine visits. Many simple questions or concerns can be handled over email or text, and all of this is included in the monthly membership fee.
2. Shorter Wait Times for Appointments
Traditional healthcare often involves long wait times for appointments, sometimes stretching into weeks or even months. With DPC, practices have a smaller patient panel, allowing them to offer same-day or next-day appointments. This quicker access reduces the anxiety of waiting and ensures timely intervention, which can prevent minor issues from becoming major ones.
Before I left my corporate medicine job to start Body Mind Spirit DPC, patients constantly complained that they could never get an appointment to see me. They were often told that my next available appointment was 2-3 months away. In most large healthcare organizations a family doctor has at least 2000, often up to 3000, patients assigned to them, which is why it is hard to get an appointment with your doctor. Each DPC clinic is different, but most keep a patient panel of around 500-600 patients, allowing them to better serve the needs of their patients.
3. Lower Costs for Labs and Medications
One of the most significant benefits of DPC is cost transparency. Since DPC clinics often operate outside of insurance networks, they can offer laboratory tests, imaging, and medications at significantly reduced rates. Patients often pay wholesale prices, which can lead to substantial savings, particularly for those with chronic conditions requiring regular testing and medication.
Before I opened Body Mind Spirit DPC, I knew that I would be able to offer labs at a discount rate for my patients, but once I got the pricing list, I was SHOCKED at just how cheap labs could be, after seeing some of the prices that my patients had been charged in the past. I added up the “normal” price for the basic panel of labs that I order for patients and it was over $275. The price that I can offer at Body Mind Spirit DPC was just under $10 for those same labs! This alone is an example of how insurance over inflates the cost of healthcare.
4. Personalized, Comprehensive Care
With more time to spend with each patient, DPC doctors can offer personalized, holistic care that addresses not just immediate health concerns but also long-term wellness. Longer appointments allow for a thorough understanding of your health history, lifestyle, and personal goals, fostering a deeper patient-doctor relationship that traditional models struggle to provide.
The DPC model allows me to have the time to spend with patients. So if you have the time, don’t be surprised if your visit lasts about an hour. I like to take the time to get to know my patients and thoroughly address their healthcare concerns and needs.
5. No Hidden Fees or Surprise Bills
DPC operates on a straightforward membership model, meaning you pay a flat monthly fee that covers most of your primary care needs. This eliminates unexpected charges and allows you to budget for your healthcare more effectively. With no third-party interference, your healthcare decisions are made by you and your doctor—nothing else.
Monthly membership fees include most in-office needs and most procedures. We do offer a couple of premium services for fees outside of the membership, but members get a significant discount on these services. Any medicines dispensed from the office are an extra charge, but they are deeply discounted and all pricing is known up front.
6. Focus on Prevention and Wellness
Because DPC doctors have more time to spend with their patients, they can focus more on preventive care and wellness. This proactive approach helps catch potential health issues early and promotes healthier lifestyles, which can prevent diseases and reduce healthcare costs in the long run.
DPC allows me the time to fully discuss preventive care and lifestyle choices that will help patients stay happy and healthy and achieve their personal wellness goals. I am also board certified in Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) which is a hands-on treatment of the musculoskeletal system utilized to improve pain, blood flow, nerve conduction, and improve the body’s own natural healing capabilities. OMT is offered as a premium service that can be coupled with membership.
By choosing a DPC practice like Body Mind Spirit DPC, you gain more control over your healthcare, enjoy a closer relationship with your doctor, and benefit from a system designed to work directly for you. It’s a model that puts patients first and offers a path to healthier, more personalized care.
For more information, visit Body Mind Spirit DPC.
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