Why Choose the Direct Primary Care Model?

What is direct primary care? Why would you change to this model from a traditional primary care office? More importantly, why choose AmericaHealth and AmericaHealth Direct? These are important questions. After all, we are talking about where to place your trust when it comes to your healthcare.
 
Direct primary care has been gaining momentum nationally and more importantly in Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Rexburg, Idaho as an alternative way for individuals and employers to pay for primary healthcare needs. AmericaHealth charges patients a flat monthly fee, under terms of a contract, in exchange for access to a broad range of primary care services. In a health care system that has become increasingly impersonal and overly complex, it places the emphasis back on the patient-physician relationship.  Everything about Direct Primary Care is entirely designed to be patient-focused. This is because the physician is not putting the needs of an insurance company first. And in case you’re wondering, a direct primary care physician can still coordinate your care within the medical community. 

Advantages of Direct Primary Care

The biggest advantage to a patient who enrolls in a direct primary care practice is more individualized care from his or her physician. Many research studies have shown that patients want  attention from their physician as well as easier access. Direct primary care is primary care is focused on the patient-doctor connection. With this model appointments are made when they are convenient for the patient, usually the same day at one of the three AmericaHealth urgent care locations. The goal of primary care is to help you feel better and live longer, and everything about direct primary care is set up with this in mind.
 
If the value of the direct primary care approach is increased access to a medical provider and decreased expense direct primary care is the best answer. By the time one has paid all the co-pays and deductibles plus coinsurance in a traditional insurance model, it is entirely possible that amount is more than the fee for a direct primary care membership. Because you know your primary care is covered for the year, including less expensive labs and medications, perhaps it makes more sense to change to a health plan with a higher deductible or the least expensive of your employer’s insurance options. Many direct primary care members save more than the annual membership fee and actually come out ahead financially.
 
Basically, AmericaHealth Direct endeavors to provide the highest quality, personalized and comprehensive primary medical care you’ve ever experienced. The feeling of security and knowledge that your primary care physician has your back allows you to better focus on what else is important in your life.

---