Is Direct Primary Care Worth It?
If you’re considering direct primary care (DPC) and wondering whether it would be worth it, be sure to give some thought to both the benefits and the costs before deciding.
Extraordinary Benefits
As a member of a DPC practice, you’ll establish a strong and trusted doctor-patient relationship that will form the foundation for your optimum health and wellness for the rest of your life. In addition to unlimited access to a physician you know and trust, you’ll benefit from a wide range of primary care services, including preventive care, urgent care, chronic disease management, in-office testing and procedures, and generic prescription medications from the office formulary – all for a set monthly membership fee.
Predictable Costs
Unlike traditional fee-for-service health care, the costs of which are largely unpredictable, a DPC membership is based on a flat fee that is determined up front and completely transparent. Because you’ll know exactly how much you need to pay in advance, you can better plan for and budget your health care expenses. More importantly, however, DPC provides a level of personalized care that many people believe is truly priceless.
Of course, in addition to your DPC membership – which only covers primary health care services – you’ll want to enroll in a high-deductible wraparound health insurance plan that provides catastrophic coverage for major medical expenses – just in case. This means you’ll pay both a monthly DPC membership fee and a monthly health insurance premium. So, is DPC worth it?
What DPC Members Are Saying
Most current DPC members answer that question with a resounding “YES!” Many point out that DPC is like having a doctor in their own family. While this can be a significant advantage for just about anyone, it can be particularly valuable to a patient who has a chronic health condition that requires ongoing monitoring and care. Additionally, some people are pleasantly surprised to find that their monthly DPC membership fee is actually lower than the copayment amount they would have to pay for a single office visit under a fee-for-service plan.
The Bottom Line
As a member of Optimum Direct Care, a DPC practice based in Orlando, FL, you’ll benefit from greater access to – and more time with – your primary care physician. As compared to traditional fee-for-service health care, DPC allows for better communication and more engaged care, which in turn can reduce the likelihood of unnecessary testing and hospitalizations, and ultimately lower the overall cost of your health care.
At Optimum Direct Care, we believe DPC is well worth it – and we think you’ll agree. Contact us if you’d like to learn more.