Open Enrollment is Coming—How much could you save with DOPC?

This time last year, I decided to do the math to see how much our clients can save when they switch to direct primary care. We know that many people choose to see us because they like the that we offer traditional primary care for the whole family combined with a holistic approach. However, at the end of the day healthcare dollars drive many decisions and we want to be sure that we generate not only value, but savings.

I compared this year to last, which was fun at first but not much has changed. Unfortunately what is being offered on the insurance exchange has even higher premiums than last year. I performed a search on the Colorado exchange, Connect for Health Colorado.

Using a family of four here’s what I found:

Combining a high deductible plan and Direct Osteopathic Primary Care, a typical family of four ends up saving an average of $849 per month on premiums compared to having a low deductible plan. That is a 44% savings!

But high deductible plans make people nervous. That is where direct primary care comes in. For our members, the deductible is reserved for a “collision” with the healthcare industry – a true emergency or surgery.

Our clients don’t need to save money for an unnecessary urgent care or an emergency room visit. Because patients can always get a hold of us when something comes up and many urgent visits can be handled quickly when care is at your fingertips. That way, health care dollars can go further and be applied to prevention and proactive health habits.

Your health insurance becomes more like your car insurance – there to cover you when you need it. Direct primary care acts like your oil changes and gas – you don’t expect your insurance to cover this low cost maintenance but you do it because it keeps your car healthy for longer.

​When it comes to health care costs, we all know that this isn’t just about your premiums.  It’s about all of the hidden costs of care that direct primary care eliminates. Co-insurance, co-pays, bewildering bills that come months after care, unanticipated. This past year we have seen healthcare bills brought to us that are appalling.

More and more, we see the value of circumventing insurance for the little things because our patients benefit.  Save your insurance for high cost care, that is what it is designed to cover.

Then we come to prescription drug costs.  Some of our current members do not even know that we can beat Walmart and Walgreens on generic medications through our in office pharmacy.

So let’s say that your family of 4 joins direct Osteopathic Primary care and one of your family members is fatigued, gets a lab panel with a discount.  The other moves their prescription for lisinopril over to our in house pharmacy.  Now look at the money saved!

This doesn’t even include the cost savings we provide by including all office visits in the membership fee and not charging extra for procedures or urgent visits!

​At the end of the day our office uses the direct primary care model because we love establishing and building relationships with families. It is also nice to know that our clients can save money too. We hope you can join us and bring your loved ones!