Pros & Cons of Direct Primary Care (DPC): Guide for LPN

People are increasingly frustrated by the traditional healthcare system. It involves a long wait for an appointment, precious minutes with a physician, and endless hassles with insurance companies. Direct primary care (DPC), a new healthcare model, has been developed to address these concerns.

A DPC practice is based on a structure that only accepts members and does not work with third-party payers. Patients receive unlimited access to doctors they know and trust in exchange for a predictable monthly fee.

Consider direct primary care pros and cons when deciding whether DPC is the right choice for you. LPN programs are just the right source of knowledge for nursing students aspiring to become nurse leaders.

What is Primary Direct Care?

Direct primary care (also known as DPC) is a model of primary care that relies on a patient’s subscription. The model has existed for a few decades, but its popularity has recently increased. It’s now quickly becoming one of the hottest trends for primary care.

Here’s an overview of the different practices:

• Patients pay a monthly membership fee. Consider it a monthly subscription. Some practices charge a nominal fee per visit, even with low subscription rates.
• DPC practices do not accept insurance or participate in Medicare or Medicaid. The monthly fee is their source of income.
• Patients are usually offered unlimited appointments in person or virtually. Visits are longer to allow for comprehensive management of care. Basics such as vaccines are included.
• Some practices, but not all of them, offer simple lab services. Other lab and imaging services are available through the training at a discount.
• DPC practices are primarily focused on primary care. Patients may require additional insurance to cover emergency care or specialties, most likely through a high-deductible health plan.

What it isn’t: DPC and concierge medicine are subscription-based, but DPC does not offer the same services. Concierge practices are more expensive, provide more services, and accept insurance on top of the membership. Concierge services are usually more appealing to wealthy people.

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Direct Primary Care: Its Advantages

One should be aware of the direct primary care pros and cons. The argument of DPC supporters can be summarized as follows: You can deliver better, more individualized care with fewer administrative headaches. Private nursing schools give nursing and medical students an in-depth understanding of these advantages through medical education. Physicians and experienced nurses in healthcare organizations who adopt a DPC approach could experience the following:

• More Control

Healthcare providers have more flexibility to choose the best services and approaches for your patient because you are receiving a lump-sum, global, comprehensive payment.

• Spend More Time With Your Patients

Healthcare professionals can spend more time with patients in a smaller group with this innovative practice. The DPC model provides time for discussions that may yield clinical insights.

• Administrative Paperwork And Hassles Are Reduced

No insurance paperwork, no quality reporting. No billing documentation, no reimbursement codes – just patient data.

• Burnout Among Clinicians Can Be Reduced

Too much paperwork and insufficient time spent with patients have led to burnout in many doctors and medical professionals. Many doctors want more predictability in their work and happier lives. DPC can offer this.

• Patient Care: Improved

Few studies compare the quality of primary care provided by DPC practices to that in other settings. However, DPC doctors and expert nurses believe the DPC approach allows them superior service. Patients are aware of the difference that eliminating all the people between the doctor and the patient can make.

Direct Primary Care: Its Disadvantages

When we talk about the direct primary care pros and cons, the majority of arguments against DPC are based on financial concerns.

• Perverse Incentives

DPC offers physicians an incentive based on accepting healthier patients with limited health needs willing to pay a retainer.

• Costs For Patients Increase

Specialized and other types of care can be expensive. Patients need to have insurance.

• Regulations Are Not Being Followed

There is no official framework for DPC. Various groups define and set standards, but it’s not a standard. DPC is not subject to cost or quality regulations because it does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or any other government funding.

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Conclusion

DPC is one of primary care’s most important trends and possibly a key element for the future, and many doctors and health care workers who have adopted it are satisfied. If the DPC model does improve physician satisfaction, it could be a boon for primary care, which is currently facing a severe shortage. Night and weekend nursing programs with the nursing curriculum, help students understand all the direct primary care pros and cons through nursing education for clinical practices in the healthcare industry.