Direct Pay Healthcare is an alternative healthcare system and an umbrella term for all healthcare professionals that offer direct pay services. Our website offers an online directory of medical practices that have a direct pay model.
Some desired benefits that direct pay healthcare practices offer include the removal of surprise billing, full price transparency, and improved quality of care. It is common in the United States to receive healthcare procedures without the patient or the healthcare professional knowing what the medical service costs. Patients receive a medical service with absolutely no knowledge of what it costs assuming the insurance will cover it, and oftentimes end up with a surprise bill they were not expecting months or even years after the medical service was provided. With a direct pay healthcare practice, the medical professional would provide the patient with a price list before any medical services being performed so that the patient has the opportunity to weigh the costs of services against the benefits of services. This allows the patient to make informed decisions about what services are needed and what services could be considered frivolous.
Many patients who have used direct pay healthcare services have noted increased time with their doctor, leading to a better quality outcome. The way the direct pay healthcare model works allows for less administrative work at the doctor’s office, which means the doctor can spend more time with the patient. Many patients have raved about how they do not feel rushed out the door and that they were able to ask all of their questions without feeling like a burden. Improving the patient-doctor relationship has been a huge win for all parties involved.
Depending on the specialty, the pay structure may vary. Most Direct Primary Care (DPC) doctors offer a membership fee. Direct Primary Care (DPC) doctor’s include Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics. DPC membership fees are usually a monthly payment; however, some membership fees, depending on the practice, are quarterly or annual. These membership fees cover your medical services so that you have access to that medical practice at any time during their business hours. Each medical practice’s website lists what services are included along with their individual practice’s membership fee, or pricing list.
Direct specialist doctors will still provide a price list, but considering that patient care is not ongoing, they will normally have a paid-in-full cash payment option prior to medical services being provided, or a monthly cash payment to the direct specialist until the total cost of the procedure is paid down.
Have more questions about Direct Pay Healthcare? Click here to go to our page solely dedicated to what Direct Pay Healthcare is and how it works.
