When I was a medical student I learned about the body under the direction of skilled teachers —how it functioned when it was well and what to do when it wasn’t. Over time, the art and science of medicine mingled and the relationships with patients and families directed me to family medicine.
As I began to practice, I sought to integrate my knowledge into the business of medicine. Unfortunately, over the years the system seeped between the relationship of doctor and patient. My decisions became limited by the interests of the business of medicine competing with the interests of the patient. Time spent navigating these conflicts replaced time building relationships and doctoring.
After studying the DPC model for the past year and a half and collaborating with other clinics locally and nationally, I have found a way to provide care that honors our time and our relationship. We can stop navigating the high cost system of medicine and start spending our energy on ways to improve your health. Disentangling your primary care from the traditional model means you will have a physician that knows you through health, job and insurance changes. You can age onto Medicare or lose your insurance all together without disruption in your care.
I am opening my new clinic, Direct Osteopathic Primary Care, with the model of direct primary care because I think it’s the best choice to continue to serve the families I love and thrive in primary care. I hope you can check out my website and see if the model works for you.
Here is how it works:
You pay a flat, predictable monthly fee as a membership to a primary care clinic. Your doctor now works for you, with no middle man. This means that when you need—or want—to come in for a visit, we are available because we limit our membership to a fraction of the patient load typical to most primary care physicians. When it’s not convenient to come in, we can talk over the phone, via secure messaging, or at a virtual visit without worrying about expensive copays. In fact, not only are there are no copays, there are no deductibles and no co-insurance. DPC clinics can do this because they lower their overhead, have a stable membership base, and aren’t waiting for you to get sick to utilize services.
What’s the catch?
You still need insurance to be compliant with the Affordable Care Act and to cover catastrophic illness. The membership model pairs well with most health plans, but even people without insurance can be members.
In direct primary care, clinics do use your insurance when it is important—when you have an emergency, need surgery or referral to a specialist. For imaging, labs and medications, we can pass along cost effective solutions that can save you money. As a physician, I know people pay a lot for insurance. What I haven’t seen in traditional practice is people getting what they deserve for what they pay. I have seen long waits for appointments, not having slots available for acute concerns, and patients not getting return phone calls or results in a timely manner because primary care physicians are overloaded.
I know there may be questions, so I offer free meet-and-greet sessions over the phone or in person after Aug 1 to go over your insurance details.
If you have more questions, call or email me at drbrie@mydenverDO.com. As mentioned, I value relationships and open communication and will do my best to give you an account of how this model might pertain to your particular situation.
Ready to sign up now?
I will be accepting new patients starting on August 1st. Email me at drbrie@mydenverDO.com to get on the pre-enrollment list. Alternatively, you can attend an informational session on August 16 or September 12, email me for details or sign up for my newsletter. If you think this is the best new idea in medicine, like I do, please encourage friends or family to join the email list and make an appointment after Aug 1 as membership space will be limited.
Cheers to forging new paths together.
Subscribe to my newsletter for updates on health benefits of my new favorite supplement, berberine and details on the end of summer reboot, whole foods cleanse.
— Dr Brie
