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DPC: A No-Claims Approach to Essential Primary Care

February 11 | 3 mins

Most don’t understand the complexities of their health and wellness. Often people ignore warning signs in their bodies until something drastic happens, at which point they rush to the emergency room or urgent care. The problem with treating the E.R. like primary care is skyrocketing costs for the patient and their employer if they have health insurance. Without health insurance, medical bills can quickly overwhelm anyone.

Having primary care helps people get effective care by helping them to be proactive about their health. To that end, direct primary care (DPC) has become a leading solution because it provides affordable access to disease prevention, chronic disease management, and 21st-century convenience that has become a standard for many.

Disease Prevention

Primary care physicians (PCPs) can screen for many ailments, including obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. They also review immunization records and help keep patients and their families up to date with shots and other preventative measures.

Studies show that people who utilize primary care have better health outcomes, including lower rates of all causes of mortality. Researchers found noticeably lower death rates from heart disease, cancer, or stroke, infant mortality, low birth weight, and poor self-reported health in areas where people sought care from primary care physicians.

Building an ongoing relationship with a primary care physician and their team empowers people to take control of their health. Having a support system and a wealth of knowledge they could never get on their own assuages fears or unfamiliarity that might prevent some from getting life-saving care. Having someone to tell you when a condition is moving in the wrong direction or advise you to see a specialist can prevent illnesses from developing or worsening. In the event of being referred to a specialist, this knowledge and familiarity help personalize your care and save time that may have previously been spent explaining medical history.

Managing Chronic Disease

A primary care provider is responsible for screening all major health-related conditions. If you already have a chronic disease, your PCP helps manage it and improve your quality of life. Unfortunately, some health plans don’t accept people with preexisting conditions. This alienates a large segment of people, as approximately 60 percent of the American population suffer from chronic diseases. According to the CDC, chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and the leading drivers of the nation’s $3.8 trillion spent annually on healthcare.

People with preexisting conditions are the ones who need care the most, but with insurers turning many away, some can’t afford quality healthcare to keep their disease from escalating. This is just one of many reasons direct primary care memberships are so vital.

DPC memberships accept people with preexisting conditions within manageable ranges and make treating the disease much more affordable. With a plan like Healthcare2U’s direct primary care, members get unlimited treatment and management of 13 chronic disease states for a minimal visit fee. Now people who desperately need care can finally get it.

Virtual Care is the New Standard

Even before the pandemic accelerated the adoption of virtual care, Millennials were leading the charge toward technology-driven healthcare. Studies show the benefits telemedicine and virtual care are not lost on millennials and Gen Xers. These generations are more likely than baby boomers to report that a telemedicine option is “extremely or very important.” Forty percent of millennials say telemedicine is an extremely or very important option, compared with 27 percent among Gen Xers and 19 percent among baby boomers.

As part of a direct primary care membership, virtual care is available to members 24/7/365 at no cost. This benefit was especially beneficial during the pandemic and will continue to expand in the years to come. People who are busy but still value the quality of their healthcare appreciate the convenience and affordability virtual care.

A No-Claims Healthcare Option for Employers

There is a misconception that one can’t have access to quality primary care unless he has insurance, but this no longer has to be the case.

DPC is a monthly membership that provides affordable and convenient access to excellent primary medical care, wellness, and chronic disease management for a low monthly fee. DPC has become extremely important in recent years for those who don’t have health insurance and even those who do. Some High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) require patients to pay high copays and deductibles for care, which puts routine healthcare out of reach for some.

Knowledgeable benefits brokers are introducing employers to the power of direct primary care. It’s a no-claims alternative that employers can add to other traditional health benefits to mitigate costs and provide options for part-time, seasonal, or other employees who don’t normally receive health benefits.

DPC: A No-Claims Approach to Essential Primary Care

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