What is the difference between concierge medicine and direct primary care?
According to nationwide polls performed by the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, 89 percent of Americans value having a relationship with a physician who is familiar with their medical history, family history, and health background. Furthermore, 54 percent of millennials follow or want to follow their health-care provider on social media.
Practice models like direct primary care and concierge medicine appeal to this demand for a more personal doctor-patient interaction. This personal relationship is prioritized in each of these paradigms. So, what differentiates them, and how do you choose amongst them? Let’s take a deeper look at each to see what your alternatives are.
Primary care on the spot (DPC)
Direct primary care (DPC) is a membership-based model in which patients pay their physician directly rather than via an insurance provider on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis. The purpose of this strategy is to provide physicians with predictable revenue without requiring them to spend as much time coding and billing as a primary care physician, allowing them to devote more time to their patients.
DPC benefits you as a patient since the membership price covers all doctor visits and most primary care services that high-deductible insurance plans could otherwise compel you to pay fully out of cash. No matter how many times you visit your doctor or how many services you receive, your membership price will remain the same.
Patients can expect lengthier visit durations than with primary care physicians, easy access to their doctor by phone, text, email, and video chat, same-day or next-day appointments, and in some circumstances, even house calls, in addition to the unique payment model.
The advantages of direct primary care include:
Monthly memberships are available, and you can terminate your membership at any time. Members pay lesser dues than those who use concierge medicine. The average monthly membership fee is $77.
The Affordable Care Act recognizes it as a viable non-insurance option. That means you won’t have to pay any state-mandated penalties for not having health insurance.
Who is the best candidate for direct primary care?
Due to the fact that DPC practitioners do not accept Medicare or Medicaid, younger, middle-income individuals will benefit from direct primary care more than older, low-income patients. Also, because DPC practices are more popular in rural places with physician shortages, persons living in rural areas may benefit the most from DPC’s ease of access to physicians.
Medicine as a service
Concierge medicine, like a DPC practice, is a membership-based practice that provides patients with simpler and faster access to physicians via a number of virtual and in-person choices, as well as lengthier appointment periods than primary care physicians can provide.
Concierge medicine physicians, unlike DPC practices, bill your insurance company for your visit in addition to charging you a membership fee. This provides physicians with two sources of income while also allowing you to seek aid paying for any services not covered by your membership fee.
Who is the best candidate for concierge medicine?
According to the Concierge Medicine Research Collective, a growing number of patients in most concierge offices are above the age of 50. For this age range, the cost of membership fees combined with a high-deductible health plan is often less expensive than regular insurance. Patients with chronic illnesses or who visit their doctor frequently throughout the year may benefit from concierge medicine.
How to receive reimbursed for medical bills you didn’t pay for out of pocket
Many health costs not covered by your membership fees are reimbursable through your employer through a health reimbursement plan, which is wonderful news for both DPC and concierge medicine (HRA).
An HRA is a tax-free allowance that you may use to pay for any eligible medical costs, so whether you require DPC, concierge medicine, or even routine care, you’ll be able to get it covered.
To discuss your medical needs for Concierge Medicine in Las Vegas NV with a female board certified internist call 702-850-22422 today.
