Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an innovative way to get convenient, affordable access to healthcare. It is a more unique model that revolves around patients receiving medical coverage after they pay a retainer – typically on a monthly basis – in exchange for doctor care. We’ve discussed in recent articles the vast benefits about this healthcare model, but in today’s post we’ll discuss questions that DPC patients frequently have. Keep reading to learn about this unique and helpful benefit!

Question 1: What is it?

We briefly covered this question above, but let’s go further into the details here. DPC is a model in which patients pay their doctor directly, rather than working through an insurance company, filing claims, and paying co-pays. DPC membership and visits also boast other benefits such as decreased cost for laboratory work and lower rates for procedures such as x-rays. A simple way to describe this model is as a healthcare system that cuts out the middleman that is present in a normal model with insurance playing a role.

Question 2: What’s the cost?

A big question on the minds of many potential patients is how much DPC actually costs. While this varies on a case-by-case basis, it by and large is a highly affordable way to attain quality healthcare. DPC patients pay a monthly retainer for doctor care and there can also be additional costs associated with the service for items like basic procedures. DPC offers a large savings over what insurance premiums and co-pays entail.

Question 3: What about specialist visits?

One question that comes up a lot surrounding DPC healthcare revolves around specialist visits. People would like to ensure that they can continue to receive care for things like dermatology and so on. This questions brings up a highlight of DPC. Instead of having to jet around town to visit a range of doctors to cover all of your medical needs, most DPC physicians are able to provide care in all the departments that you need! This means an improved doctor-patient relationship and a more convenient method of receiving care for patients. We call that a win-win!

Question 4: Is it the same as concierge medicine?

This question comes up a lot, but DPC is actually different than concierge medicine in a couple ways. The first is that concierge medicine accepts insurances and has that “middle man” present, unlike the DPC model. Second, DPC is more affordable and the monthly rates are typically more reasonable in DPC than they are in concierge medicine.

Now that you’ve heard the low-down on all of the most common questions surrounding DPC, you have a solid baseline to help you understand this innovative concept and explain it to family or friends.

To learn more about DPC and what it could do for you, click here.