What is Direct Primary Care?

As healthcare costs continue to rise, finding affordable and accessible care is more important than ever. Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers a solution that’s particularly beneficial for individuals and families seeking personalized, low-cost, hassle-free healthcare. This model eliminates the complexities of traditional insurance, allowing patients to enjoy seamless access to their providers with a simple monthly subscription. 

In this post, we’ll cover:

• Definition of Direct Primary Care (DPC)

• The Importance DPC for Individuals and Families

• Benefits to Businesses of Offering Access to DPC for Employees

• Practical Tips for Transitioning to DPC

  
  

Whether you’re an individual or parent looking for better healthcare options, or a business aiming to enhance employee wellness, understanding DPC could transform your healthcare experience.

Discover if this new, cost-saving, access-maximizing system of healthcare is the best fit for you and your family, or your business. 

What is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care (DPC) with AstroDoc is like a VIP pass to primary care, cutting out the insurance middleman. With only a simple monthly subscription, members enjoy unlimited, easy access to care—no other charges or surprise bills. DPC provides continuous, affordable care without the insurance complexity. 

Why is Direct Primary Care Important?

For Individuals and Families: 

• More access: DPC patients spend much more time with their doctor than those in traditional practices, and you get special perks from AstroDoc primary care, like same-day care, a doctor you can text 24/7, and technology that helps you take charge of your health.  

• Lower, more predictable costs: Patients can experience big savings from direct primary care. Why? Because the cost of typical appointments is so high, and AstroDoc providers take care of problems before they become bigger, more expensive problems.

• No insurance hassle: Minimize the pain of dealing with your insurance company when you have DPC. 

• Personalized care: When you have a DPC provider, you have someone that you can build a relationship with over time. That helps you get care that’s suited to your needs, not a one-size-fits-all approach.  

  
  

For Businesses: 

• Happier, healthier employees: Studies show that employees who have access to DPC report higher job satisfaction and find their employer to be more supportive than those who don’t have access to DPC.

• Benefits for part-timers and contractors: AstroDoc is committed to caring for those who may not have access to health insurance through their employer. AstroDoc can be a gamechanger if your business employs a lot of people who don't get full health benefits. See how offering DPC can transform employee loyalty and turnover. 

• Save cost and time: Self-insured businesses that offer DPC can get huge cost savings, as seen in this study that reported these businesses have had a 54% reduction in emergency room claims and 25% fewer hospital admissions from patients on their DPC plan. That means lower costs and fewer missed working days.

Tips and Reminders for Starting with Direct Primary Care

1. Find the right doctor for you: It's important to find a doctor you're comfortable with. AstroDoc physicians are all chosen for their bedside manner, and you can find doctors that speak other languages, or have expertise in areas like women’s health, diabetes, asthma, mental health, heart health, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, and more. We’re also committed to connecting you with providers who respect your experiences and background.
   
   

2. Tell your care team: Tell any doctors you see about your new AstroDoc primary care doctor. Instruct them to send your new doctor your history, which will help them get to know you and manage your care more effectively.   

   
   

3. Understand your PCP's role: Primary care doctors can handle a lot, but they'll refer you to specialists if you need someone with deeper expertise on your particular issue. Also, if you're having an emergency, you should still go to the hospital or call 911.

   
   

4. Plan Financially: Because you’re joining a membership, you’ll have to be prepared for the monthly cost of that membership- but don’t worry, because you’ll save money in the long run. Also, consider supplementing AstroDoc with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), which will cover you for bigger health expenses. 

Take Control of Your Health and Healthcare Costs

American healthcare is backwards. To avoid high costs, millions of people delay or avoid getting care. But that only makes their problems worse and leads to the high costs of emergency room visits and hospital stays. 

At AstroDoc, we want to hear from our patients all the time- even if it's just to say hello. We'll help you stay ahead of things, with proactive monitoring of your health and tips for a healthier lifestyle. If you do have a problem, we're there to be your first call, and will be with you every step of the way back to better health. You get all these benefits while having low, predictable healthcare costs. 

Sign Up Today, Or Tell Your Employer About Us!

We can't wait to welcome you into the AstroDoc family. Sign up today, or tell your employer about all the benefits of offering AstroDoc.

If your employer is offering you access to AstroDoc, contact your health benefits administrator for a special signup link.