FAQ

Wait… this is so different from what I’m used to through insurance… I don’t get it.

We felt the same way when we first started reading about direct primary care (DPC). This is absolutely a change from what most people are used to when it comes to using their insurance card. But the bottom line is that using your insurance for most care (and ESPECIALLY primary care) makes everything more rushed and more expensive.

Doctors and hospitals get paid mainly based on volume and data entry. This is why your doctor usually only spends a few rushed minutes with you, all while they are furiously typing into a computer; the more patients they see and the more they do and enter into the medical record, the more their clinic or hospital gets paid. This type of system is incompatible with quality, personalized healthcare.

can DPC give me better healthcare and save me money?

Absolutely. Most people are paying too much for insurance and getting too little. Combining DPC with a health share or a high-deductible insurance plan can not only lead to better healthcare, it can save a significant amount of money. As an example, we were able to save a Portland-based small business with 11 employees about 40% compared to their traditional insurance plan (the 40% included a DPC membership, too!).

Do I need insurance to belong to your practice?

No. While in today’s world it is essential that everyone has additional coverage to protect them in case of serious medical illness and while we strongly recommend all patients get additional coverage through either traditional health insurance or a health share, some patients simply can’t afford additional coverage.

how Is this different from concierge medicine?

Concierge medicine bills you AND your insurance. It’s typically for the healthy and wealthy. DPC is often referred to as concierge for the masses because it is high quality, personalized care but the costs are substantially less, making it accessible to everyone.

Dr. H, why did you leave the healthcare system?

Because it doesn’t work for patients or doctors. I spent 8 years working in the system but I was not leaving work feeling fulfilled or feeling a connection to my patients. I felt as though I was a cog in a wheel and I didn’t think I was providing excellent medical care because of the constraints of the current system. Quite simply, I was burned out. DPC is a better way forward that allows me to take better care of my patients and myself.