The direct primary care model is an alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing. Instead, an annual fee covers all of the primary care services provided in the office. This includes consultative services, care coordination, and comprehensive care management. The practice size is small, allowing for unhurried visits and easy scheduling for same- or next-day appointments. The doctor and patient choose the plan of care without input from insurance companies.
Direct primary care is not the same thing as concierge medicine. The main difference between the two is that concierge medicine is still a fee-for-service model, with additional charges for visits, along with the annual fee. Direct primary care eliminates fee-for-service. The practice does not earn money based on how frequently patients are seen in the office. For that reason, the doctor is motivated in your complete care, by any avenue, including office visits, telephone calls, FaceTime, email, and so on.
