Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an innovative healthcare model designed with small businesses in mind. It operates on a simple, yet powerful premise: a fixed, monthly fee grants your employees access to comprehensive day-to-day healthcare services. This includes direct access to their primary care provider, extended visits, and more personalized care. There are no hidden fees or complex billing statements. Essentially, DPC eliminates the middleman, allowing for a more direct relationship between patients and their doctors. This approach not only fosters a closer doctor-patient relationship but also makes healthcare more predictable and affordable. For small businesses passionate about their team's well-being, DPC offers quality care without the financial strain of traditional health insurance models.
Most DPC's have some medications on site. The DPC is able to pass on the whole-sale cost savings they get to their members. In other words, people are typically able to save a lot of money getting meds from a DPC. If the DPC does not have the medications on site, they can write prescriptions for your local pharmacy. There are restrictions on some meds like opioids/narcotics, etc. But for the most part, people can save a lot of money by getting their meds through a DPC.
DPC’S can take care of a lot of things that typical in-network doctors are required to refer out. But if there is a situation where they do need to send you to someone else, most DPC’s are familiar with the most cash friendly Specialists around. So, they would be able to send you to someone who understands the DPC/cash friendly model. All the while being kind to your wallet.
Direct Primary Care is like a health care membership club, but way cooler. You pay a monthly fee, kind of like a gym membership, and in return, you get VIP access to your doc whenever you need it. No more waiting weeks for appointments or getting rushed through visits. It’s just you, your doctor, and all the time you need to chat about your health, without the drama of insurance paperwork. Perfect for individuals/families or small businesses looking for top-notch care without the top-shelf price, it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Imagine having a doc in your corner, ready to take care of you without the headache of bills and bureaucracy.
Some do. But most pure DPC's do not. Some are a hybrid model which take insurance as well.
Medical Cost Sharing
Medical cost sharing is not insurance. Medical Cost Sharing is like having a group of friends who've got your back when big health care bills come knocking. Imagine everyone pitching in to help pay off those hefty expenses from unexpected health hiccups. It’s all about sharing the load and helping each other out, making sure no one has to face those scary bills alone. Perfect for small businesses who treat their team like family but need to keep an eye on the budget, it’s a heartwarming way to tackle those major medical moments without breaking the bank.
Usually yes. With most MCS programs there are limits for sharing when it comes to pre-existing/pre-membership medical conditions. For this reason, that is why these programs are not ideal for everyone. But those without significant, current/on-going medical needs can find a lot of value with programs such as these. Please refer to the MCS Guidelines for which program you are looking at for further details.
Medical Cost Sharing is like having a big, friendly potluck, but instead of bringing dishes, everyone chips in a bit of cash each month. Then, if someone gets hit with a big, scary medical bill, the group pitches in to help cover it. It starts with you covering a small piece, kinda like paying for the ingredients of your potluck dish, and then the community helps with the rest. It’s not your usual insurance; it’s more like a bunch of friends helping each other out when the going gets tough. Perfect for individuals/families or small businesses looking out for each other, it’s all about sharing the love—and the bills—so nobody has to sweat those big health scares alone.
No. There are not networks with MCS programs. As a member of a MCS entity, you are a cash pay patient. That means you can go anywhere you'd like for care. You would always just ask for the cash pay rates. Which can be SIGNIFICANTLY lower than what most doctors and hospitals are required to bill insurance providers for.
