Dr. McCarthy will introduce you to an innovative model of healthcare that allows a direct relationship between the patient and physician.
My medical practice will introduce you to an innovative model of healthcare that allows a direct relationship between the patient and physician without involvement of third parties including insurance, drug or hospital corporations. It's called "direct primary care."
Direct primary care is a growing movement across the United States. A recent poll shows >9% of physicians planning on converting their practices to this model in the next three years. Our current system places undue pressure on the physician/patient relationship and deprives both parties of the resources necessary to provide/experience quality health care. Time is a major factor, as most patients who have seen a traditional primary care provider in recent years will attest.
ONE: “What?!”
An altogether typical response to the direct primary care model.
Two thoughts:
"You don't pay car insurance to cover gas."
Insurance is to protect you against unforeseen disasters; fender benders, flooding, house fires, etc. Primary care is a necessary practical commodity. The majority of primary care is not "crisis care," but "health-care." It makes sense to pay for this type of service up front instead of making "claims" to a company that makes money by denying them and then paying extra to fund a complicated infrastructure of people who argue back and forth over what will be covered and what won't.
"Monthly membership in my practice will probably cost less than your monthly phone bill."
Most DPC practices will save patients money. Exceptions may include people who have insurance provided through Medicare or the military. Review your policy and assess at what you spent on health care in the last year; include co-pays, medicines, urgent care or ER visits, and lab/imaging bills. Then look at the DPC model and weigh the pros/cons. I've included links at the bottom of this page to several sites/blogs/articles that are discussing this model. Come by and I can answer your questions and explain how this could work in your case. Membership in my practice is an agreement between you and me; communication and clarity are key.
TWO: Is Concierge Medicine the Same as Direct Primary Care?
These terms are often used interchangeably, and essentially refer to the same thing. Direct primary care is a healthcare model focused on putting the patient first. That means treating patients when they need treatment, never rushing patients through appointments, and being proactive with healthcare treatment plans. The doctor-patient relationship is just as the name suggests – direct. Direct primary care clinics don’t accept insurance, instead rather they choose to work directly for the patient, providing wholesale lab and prescription prices along the way.
THREE: What sets you apart from other practices?
The DPC model skips the bureaucracy. It cuts the red tape. In refusing to recognize any interference with the sanctity of the patient/physician relationship, this option returns family practice medicine to its root values of clinical excellence and compassionate knowledge of every patient. In every aspect of family health care it increases accessibility, convenience, and affordability.
FOUR: Will I still benefit from joining your practice even if I don’t require frequent medical attention?
Yes. You might argue that everyone benefits from a service tailored directly to them. I am offering custom healthcare.
In wellness and therapeutic care alike, our great ally is time - large amounts of precious, irretrievable time given to you as you wish. Every visit, for whatever reason, will be easy-going in its absolute thoroughness, and relaxed in answering your questions and addressing the need of the moment. Then, as the months and years go by, we’ll build a comprehensive, intimate knowledge of your health - invaluable understanding available in no other regimen of care.
FIVE: Do you accept health insurance? Do you provide a super-bill?
No. Happily, no.
Perhaps the most critical distinction of this practice is a direct, personal relationship between you and your doctor. This directness carries over to my business model as well. I forgo insurance payments in order to save my patients from the arbitrary, intrusive decisions that inevitably follow with third-party payors. Furthermore, this direct fee-for-services arrangement frees us from the typical contractual agreements that prevent physicians from offering wholesale prices on laboratory tests, imaging, and medications.
SIX: As your patient, will I still need health insurance?
Yes. I recommend that my patients continue to carry both a major medical plan (catastrophic) and a health savings account, thereby ensuring financial help should hospitalization or referral to a specialist be necessary.
SEVEN: If I have Medicare, can I still join your practice?
Yes. You will need to sign a one-time waiver declaring that neither you nor I will directly bill Medicare for medical services provided by me. Medicare will still cover all other aspects of your care including any laboratory testing, imaging, medications, or hospitalizations prescribed by me.
EIGHT: Is my membership to your practice tax deductible?
Unfortunately, no. Your membership fee is not yet defined as a “medical expense” in most states and as such is not deductible. The American Academy of Private Physicians, however, is lobbying hard to win rightful deductibility for these expenses. In the meantime, consult with your tax consultant to clarify tax consequences in your particular circumstances.
NINE: What happens if I need to go to the hospital or see a specialist?
In providing unprecedented physician access, I seek to prevent or reduce hospitalizations and specialty referrals. In those instances where these types of care are required, I will certainly continue to serve you during your hospital stay or to work closely with any specialist. In some cases, depending on the level of care and the sorts of expertise required, I may rely on those specialized caregivers to manage your treatment.
TEN: Do you see children?
Yes. I am happy to see children and have set up my payment scheme to attract young families. At this time, I am not able to provide routine vaccinations for young children but can work with you to arrange these at no cost through our local health department.
ELEVEN: Can I contact you after hours?
Absolutely. Because illness and injury do not respect regular office hours, you may call me any day, at any hour.
TWELVE: What if I need medical attention while I’m away from home?
Call me! While limited by the lack of a physical exam, I am glad to offer advice long distance. As your primary care physician, I feel a responsibility to be in the loop as health issues come up. Also I hope to know much more about you than a random urgent care or ER physician.
THIRTEEN: Are my medical records ever shared with insurance carriers or pharmaceutical companies?
I am never obligated to provide any third party with a copy of your records, unless you specifically ask that I do so.
FOURTEEN: Where can I read more about Direct Primary Care?
Links:
DPC national website
recent TIME magazine article
A more detailed description of pros/cons and relationship to the Affordable Care Act.
A candid discussion of how DPC is a more cost effective form of health care; for you and your employer.
I grew up in Northeast Georgia. During high school and college I worked as a Nurse Assistant, ER Technician and later as a Monitor Technician in an ICU. This experience led me to go into medicine and gave me experience in hands-on patient care in a variety of contexts. In 2003 I met my wife, Valerie during freshman orientation at Toccoa Falls College. We each spent a summer in Eastern Europe doing public health education and village outreach. Also during college I played on the soccer team, played guitar in a band and took a ridiculous number of credit hours. In 2007 I graduated with a double major in Biology and Cross-Cultural Studies and Val and I were married a month later. We moved to Blacksburg, VA in 2008 for medical school at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. I graduated in 2012 and started a three-year Family Practice residency which I will complete in June of 2015. On February 24th, 2014 we welcomed our first child, Beatrix Adeline.
