What Is Direct Primary Care?

What Is Direct Primary Care?Direct primary care (DPC) is a novel take on the traditional health care delivery system. Rather than working through insurance companies, the health care relationship is directly and solely between the patient and physician.

In essence, the DPC model takes the practice of medicine back to its common-sense roots – a time when physicians were able to get to know their patients because they weren’t forced to practice within the unreasonably tight time constraints now imposed by insurers. Direct primary care practices do not accept insurance of any kind, eliminating the associated red tape and allowing physicians to build rapport with each patient.

Why Choose Membership-Based Primary Care?

The doctors of a bygone era knew their patients personally. Over the years, the practice of medicine has changed dramatically, mainly due to the involvement of middlemen insurers who often dictate the nature and cost constraints of the doctor-patient relationship. As a result of the administrative burdens imposed by insurance companies, today’s traditional medical practices typically must have a panel of several thousand patients in order to cover the associated costs. This significantly reduces the amount of time a physician is able to spend with each patient.

Think about your most recent consultation with a primary care physician in a traditional medical practice. Your experience may have gone something like this: After waiting weeks or months for your appointment day, you probably had to wait some more – in an uncomfortable reception area full of sick people. When your appointment time finally arrived, you likely ended up with just a few fleeting minutes with an overbooked physician, who may have grabbed and speed-read your chart at the door, then breezed in and out before you had a chance to ask all of your questions. This scenario is frustrating not only for patients but also for physicians, especially those who value patient interaction.

Why Shouldn’t I Just Use Insurance for My Primary Health Care Expenses?

As a form of risk management intended to protect you from financial loss, insurance can play an important role in covering the costs associated with life-threatening emergencies, hospitalizations, and specialist care for complex illnesses and injuries. However, using insurance to pay for primary health care services, which are frequently needed and relatively predictable, simply doesn’t make sense. DPC is a practical alternative that ultimately allows physicians to practice medicine more effectively by having the time to listen to, empathize with, and care about their patients.

At Optimum Direct Care, our goal is to provide health care that is in your best interest, regardless of whether it fits within the cost-control constraints mandated by an insurance company. By providing you with convenient access to a physician you know and trust at a predictable cost, we’ll allow you to take better control of your health and ultimately inspire you to learn and maintain healthy habits over your lifetime.

If you’re interested in becoming a member of our direct primary care practice, contact Optimum Direct Care today. In the meantime, check out these helpful articles on direct primary care:

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“I never imagined Dr. Muzzi existed before I found her. Now, I can’t picture a future of my healthcare without her. If the traditional Doctor / Patient relationship makes you feel like you’re stuck in I4 traffic (frustrated & certain no one will ever fix it) and you want to change that, you’re in the right place. ”

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“My husband and I were in search of a new physician when my neighbor mentioned that we should meet Dr Toni Muzzinigro who was a “Direct Primary Care” physician. We were not familiar with the term and were very intrigued. We made an initial appointment with her and learned so many things that we didn’t think existed anymore. Her main focus is on the patient and not the insurance companies! When she doesn’t have to worry about the bureaucracy and red tape of insurance companies, she has so much more time to listen to the patient and come up with a truly great level of care. The patient comes first and foremost. Our initial appointment was so thorough. She wanted to know every aspect of our past records. I felt like she really cared about us and her main goal was to keep us as healthy as possible. During our annual appointments, Dr. Muzzi schedules enough time to go over every concern you may have. Her explanations of test results are very thorough, and she is very knowledgeable of up to date medical breakthroughs. There have been some times during the year that we needed a doctor’s advice quickly. She is available to us basically 24/7. You can get in touch with her via phone, text, or video conferencing. Many things can be handled in a quick and timely manner. However, if there is a need to see her personally, getting in to see her doesn’t take weeks. Usually, you can make an appointment the very next day. How comforting is it to know that your doctor is always available to you and truly cares about your wellbeing! That is worth its weight in gold! Her staff are an added bonus! They run the office efficiently and take care of any other needs we may have. Another great advantage is that Dr. Muzzi has a network of specialists, labs, and resources available to us and at a discounted rate and free generic prescriptions. Personally, we like the fact that someone can help us navigate the medical system and direct us in the right direction. I simply can’t say enough. Dr. Muzzi has become our doctor as well as a good friend. She will always have our best interest at heart and her main goal is to provide the highest level of care. We are so thankful to have found Dr. Muzzi and Optimum Direct Care.”

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