Direct Primary Care and Concierge Medicine - What's the Difference?
The Difference Between Concierge Medicine and Direct Primary Care
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 (MDNewsToday), 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."
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