Direct Primary Care

Comparison w/ Insurance Company and Traditional Clinic

After a few hours on the phone with a health insurance company and a clinic, this is how they compare to Direct Primary Care Practices:

Transparency - Getting any specific information out of the clinic and insurance company was just like herding cats. All the insurance company would tell me was how much I would pay per month. After much insistence and wrangling, they finally told me that the annual exams I need would cost $700 (on top of the monthly payments and the doctor's fee), but they couldn't even tell me what those $700 included. When I asked for pricing info at the clinic in Cameron the doctor's office directed me to the lab, which directed me to the administration, which directed me back to the doctor's office. Conclusion: the exam I need could cost anywhere between $350 and $1500. - All the DPC practices list the prices, services and additional on their website—in detail!—with no hidden costs.

Cost - The insurance company wants $153/month + $50 for each doctor's visit. The clinic wants $230 for the doctor's visit + god knows how much for the exam. - DPC practices charge between $60 and $75 for unlimited visits to the doctor + annual check ups + direct access to the doctor via phone, email, text and video chat. And then they also throw in: medications at wholesale prices, discounts for imaging exams (x-rays, CAT scans, MRIs), and free in-office procedures, such as pap-smears (the same exam the Cameron clinic wants $1500 for). Heck, some of them even offer group discounts!

Access - Almost all DPC providers offer consultation via phone, email, text, and video chat - the freaking future is finally here!