Direct Primary Care (DPC) Explained
Direct Primary Care is a membership-based model designed for routine primary care keeping the patient at the center.
What Is Direct Primary Care?
DPC provides healthcare outside of the interference that often comes from the traditional insurance model. Instead of using insurance to charge for medical services, patients pay a form of membership for their care.
Membership gives patients more direct access to their medical team's time and expertise and improves financial transparency.
Insurance can still be used when care outside of the DPC clinic is needed.
Why DPC Works
DPC works because the practice is not built around volume. Carolina Medical Group can care for fewer patients than a traditional insurance-based clinic, which means more time for each patient.
This allows our medical team to use the full scope of their training to diagnose and provide treatment for a wide variety of medical conditions rather than relying on referrals to specialists.
- ✓ More thorough visits to fully address concerns or discuss multiple concerns per visit
- ✓ Same day or next day visits for improved access when concerns arise
- ✓ No co-pays or surprise bills after visits
- ✓ Transparent pricing for low cost medications, labs, procedures, and imaging.
- ✓ Easier follow-up with remote care when appropriate
- ✓ Insurance no longer dictates care provided for individuals and families
How to navigate DPC care while also having insurance
Even when you are a member of a DPC practice, your insurance still fills an essential role in your healthcare.
Health is never guaranteed and emergency care and specialty services are sometimes required. Be assured that your access to these services does not change when you are a part of Carolina Medical Group. The hope is you are healthier by being a part of our practice and you need those outside services less than if you were a part of a traditional practice.
Your insurance will still be used for things that are considered fully covered such as "screening exams" (mammograms, colonoscopies, vaccinations, etc.). You also have the option to use your insurance for other services such as specialty labs, imaging, or care through specialists.
Many who choose to come to Carolina Medical Group for their care will modify their insurance plan to offset the cost of their membership at Carolina Medical Group with a lower monthly premium or implementation of an HSA plan. Doing this typically increases the deductible, but the savings from a lower premium in conjunction with more comprehensive care at Carolina Medical Group typically means fewer insurance claims toward your deductible.
Is Direct Primary Care Right for You?
Request an appointment with Carolina Medical Group
Request an appointment online or call the office. We'll help you understand membership and find a time that works, no pressure, no insurance runaround.