November
13, 2009 | By
Michael Tetreault | Editor-In-Chief |
Concierge Medicine Today
Direct
primary care (DPC) is a term often linked to its companion in
health care, 'concierge medicine.' Although the two terms are
similar and belong to the same family, concierge medicine is a
term that fully embraces or 'includes' many different health care
delivery models, direct primary care being one of them.
Similarities
DPC
practices, similar in philosophy to their concierge medicine
lineage - bypass insurance and go for a more 'direct' financial
relationship with patients and also provide comprehensive care
and preventive services for an affordable fee. However, DPC
is only one branch in the family tree of concierge medicine.
DPC,
like concierge health care practices, remove many of the financial
barriers to 'accessing' care whenever care is needed. There
are no insurance co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance fees.
DPC practices also do not typically accept insurance payments,
thus avoiding the overhead and complexity of maintaining relationships
with insurers, which can consume as much as $0.40 of each medical
dollar spent (See Sources Below).
Differences
According
to sources (see below) DPC is a 'mass-market variant of concierge
medicine, distinguished by its low prices.' Simply stated, the
biggest difference between 'direct primary care' and retainer
based practices is that DPC takes a low, flat rate fee whereas
omodels, (although plans may vary by practice) - usually charge
an annual retainer fee and promise more 'access' to the doctor.
According
to Concierge Medicine Today, the first official news outlet
for this marketplace, both health care delivery models are providing
affordable, cost-effective health care to thousands of patients
across the U.S. MDNewsToday is also the only known organization
that is officially tracking and collecting data on these practices
and the physicians -- including the precise number of concierge
physicians and practices throughout the U.S.
"This
primary care business model [direct primary care] gives these
type of providers the time to deliver more personalized care to
their patients and pursue a comprehensive medical home approach,"
said Norm Wu, CEO of Qliance Medical Management based in Seattle,
Washington. "One in which the provider's incentives are fully
aligned with the patient's incentives."
References
and Sources
"Doc
This Way!: Tech-Savvy Patients and Pros Work Up Healthcare 2.0".
New York Post. 4/7/2009.
Who
Killed Marcus Welby? from Seattle's The Stranger, 1/23/2008
"Direct
Medical Practice - The Uninsured Solution to the Primary Medical
Care Mess" with Dr. Garrison Bliss (Qliance Medical Group
of WA).
"Direct
Primary Care: A New Brew In Seattle". Harvard Medical School
- WebWeekly. 2008-03-03.
DPCare.org
Qliance.com
ConciergeMedicineToday.com
Michael
Tetreault Editor-In-Chief Concierge Medicine Today URL: http://www.ConciergeMedicineToday.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/conciergemd E: Editor@conciergemedicinetoday.com
T: (678) 597-2559
Article
Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Tetreault
