Direct Primary Care Principles

Direct Primary Care is a a groundbreaking alternative payment model for primary care being embraced by patients, physicians and employers across the United States.  The defining element of DPC is fostering an enduring and trusting relationship between a patient and his or her primary care provider.

• Service: The primary focus of DPC is adequate time spent between patient and physician.  Without many of the limitations of traditional primary care, DPC enables doctors and their patients to have discussions about their health and wellbeing, lifestyle, and the best way to make longterm health care decisions.

• Patient Focused: Patients in DPC have more access to care from their primary care provider.  They are involved in their medical and financial choices and have more control of their healthcare spending.

• No Fee-For-Service: One of the benchmarks of DPC is that it eliminates the traditional fee-for-service incentives.  In the fee-for-service model, doctors are paid by the number of patients they see and the number of tests that they order.  This can cause patients to have a lack of trust in their provider, knowing that they are just part of a "quota".  DPC has a simple, easy to understand, flat monthly fee that covers your primary care services.  

• Patient Advocacy:  DPC providers are strong patient advocates, committed to making sure that they give their patients the information they need to make informed healthcare decisions.  They avoid unnecessary referrals and provide information about the quality, cost, and patient expericnce of primary care.

• Wellness Focused:  DPC providers are focused on patient wellness and proactive healthcare decisions rather than reactive ones.  Their goal is to keep patients well, and more in control of their healthcare needs.