There’s a strong case for the DPC membership model

Doctors have been trained for years to think in terms of the fee-for-service model because we’re always trying to associate our time spent with a patient with a specific ICD code. In reality, that just doesn’t match up with how our patients consume healthcare.

We advise our physicians to do a membership model because it allows our patients to be as flexible as they need to be. You’ll never see a fee for service gym, because that just doesn’t make sense. People don’t know how often they’ll go to the gym or what equipment they’ll use and they don’t want to be charged extra or have an unpredictable pricing schedule. Same with healthcare – patients don’t know when they’ll go, how much time they’ll need with their doctor, and they’re worried about what it’ll cost. Having a flat-price membership model that allows them to use as much healthcare as they might need ensures the patient is more comfortable with the overall model. The idea of a copay is designed to get patients to use less care. We as physicians want to maximize how much care we can offer our patients so we can improve their health.

The ability of a membership model to eliminate copay just allows us to take better care of our patients.

Now, as Direct Care evolves, we’re seeing more and more physicians also incorporate point-of-service billing into their practices, which is great, too. It gives our physicians and patients even more flexibility – they pay however it’s most convenient for them, and the physicians are set up to handle multiple situations. So whether you decide to offer a membership model, or point-of-service billing (or a fantastic combination of both!) the idea is the same. You’re eliminating the concept of a copay and insurance and dealing directly with your patients. See what great things happen when you put your patients first?

Yes

If the scenarios below describe you perfectly, Direct Care is just what you’re looking for!

• You’re fed up with paperwork
• You think there must be more to healthcare
• You’re frustrated you don’t get to spend more time with your patients
• You’re sick of shuffling patients in and out of your office
• You always wish you had more time to research
• You can’t wait to retire
• You can’t stand the sight of red tape
• You are frustrated with ICD codes
• Insurance companies infuriate you

Nope

If the below situations describe your mentality, maybe you’re better off staying put in traditional healthcare!

• You enjoy being rushed from the moment you wake up
• You don’t care how quickly your patients are seen
• You’d rather hide under a table than take a direct call from a patient
• You prefer to pawn off research tasks on your nurse or PA
• You eat lunch with insurance reps daily
• You don’t mind being away from your family all the time
• ICD code is your love language