Did you know there are 16,760 general practitioners in the US? It was an important medical profession, but with new medical models of care, the primary care physician is no longer the only option for a person’s healthcare.
The medical profession is going through massive changes in how it evaluates and practices medicine. One of the new models of care is called Direct Primary Care.
Are you interested in learning more about DPC? Direct Primary Care pros and cons make it a viable option. Read on to learn more about this healthcare and if it’s right for you.
Have More Control Over Their Healthcare
The Direct Primary Care or DPC model is becoming a popular health insurance alternative. It provides individuals with the opportunity to have more control over their healthcare. This is due to the elimination of insurance companies and the associated walls of bureaucracy.
With DPC, providers bill their patients, eliminating the need to process claims with payers and negating red tape. The patient can choose their healthcare provider and have access to their care without going through an insurance gatekeeper.
Visit this primary care clinic as a perfect choice if you’re looking to take more control of your healthcare without relying on insurance companies.
Have More Direct Access to Physicians
DPC provides more direct access to physicians and lower costs associated with healthcare. It does not charge clients copayment fees or deductibles. Instead, DPC clients pay a monthly membership fee for access to a doctor or care team.
DPC physicians can see their patients more often. This makes house calls and provides personalized care for each of their patients.
This cuts out the traditional health insurance company and its associated costs. You may save money by avoiding high copayments and deductibles.
Doctor-Patient Relationships Take on a More Meaningful Form
Another pro is that many doctor-patient relationships take on a more meaningful form. This enables physicians to be more invested and responsive to their patient’s needs.
For example, physicians often have more time to spend with their patients. It permits them to get to know them better, understand their concerns, and develop sound medical decisions.
Limited Access to Specialists and Hospital Care
With DPC, patients only have access to primary care providers such as family doctors, GPs, and pediatricians. You cannot get access to healthcare specialists or receive hospital care without paying out of pocket.
This can cause the patient not to receive the care they need or go without the care altogether.
Not Eligible for Subsidies From the Government
Though DPC plans may be cheaper than traditional health plans in the long run, DPC plans are not eligible for subsidies from the government.
This means you must pay for your DPC plans out-of-pocket rather than the government lending them a helping hand financially. The lack of government subsidies for DPCs keeps the cost of such plans higher than it would otherwise be.
Consider the Direct Primary Care Pros and Cons Today
Weigh the Direct Primary Care pros and cons options to ensure you receive the care you need. With DPC pros, you can have more control over your healthcare, have more direct access to physicians, and have a doctor-patient relationship taking on a more meaningful form.
The cons of DPC are having limited access to specialists and hospital care and not being eligible for subsidies from the government.
To make the best decision for your healthcare needs, consider talking to a health insurance expert and looking into direct primary care options.
Check out the rest of our blog for more!
