Why Choose Direct Primary Care?
A direct primary care (DPC) practice provides a comprehensive range of primary health care services, including preventive care, urgent care, chronic disease management, in-office testing and procedures, and generic prescription medications from the office formulary. In addition to unlimited access to a doctor, all of this is provided in exchange for a flat monthly fee. Should you choose DPC? Read on to learn more about this innovative health care model that is gaining popularity among patients and doctors alike.
What Spurred the DPC Movement?
Many people have become disillusioned by the health care industry of today, which is void of the “small-town” familiarity experienced years ago by their parents or grandparents. Back then, a family doctor was an integral part of a patient’s life, providing everything the patient needed to get and stay healthy over the course of his or her lifetime.
Health Care Has Become Cold & Impersonal
Now, the typical health care experience goes something like this: After waiting days or even weeks for an appointment, a patient is forced to wait some more in a crowded reception area before getting a few precious minutes of facetime with an unfamiliar physician. Because the physician is so busy “checking the boxes” required by an insurance company, he or she has little time to actually listen to the patient before moving on to the next patient. So, when the patient’s health concerns remain unresolved, he or she will likely be shuffled off to see multiple specialists, and the cycle will continue.
Under these circumstances, it’s just about impossible to develop a close doctor-patient relationship. Studies show that this had led to a rise in conflicting diagnoses, unnecessary testing, and poor health outcomes.
The Main Reason Is Increased Insurer Involvement
It’s important to point out that most doctors are passionate about helping their patients live healthier and happier lives, and this has not changed over the years. But, the practice of medicine has had to adapt to the increasing involvement of insurance companies, which has led to a need for increased staff to handle claims. In order to support the required staff, a practice must see more patients, which translates to less time for each patient. This scenario is not ideal for doctors or patients.
A DPC Doctor Is a True Partner in Your Health
DPC is changing all of that. Because DPC practices do not accept insurance, there is no need to spend time on insurer-imposed billing procedures. Instead, that time can be devoted to patients, allowing doctors to actually do what they dreamed about doing when they first decided to practice medicine.
At Optimum Direct Care, we’ve embraced the DPC practice model. Our board-certified family practice physician, Dr. Toni “Muzzi” Muzzonigro, will partner with you to help you achieve your optimum health. Contact us to learn more about our membership-based practice in Orlando, FL.