Is Direct Primary Care Affordable?

Before I started Slack Family Practice, I worked for a large healthcare system. By the time I left, my patient panel was over 2000 and counting. If that sounds like a lot - it is. If that sounds uncommon for primary care - it’s not at all. Having such a large number of patients to care for was a direct and significant contributor to my burn out and ultimate decision to leave. I found there was not enough time in the day to provide patients with the level of care they deserve on such a large scale, not to mention leaving time for my kids, my family, myself etc. So this led me to direct access primary care - a model that allows physicians the time and mental space to really get to know their patients, and become a more integral partner in their healthcare and well being.

But can patients afford this? Is it something only available to the wealthy?

I acknowledge that paying an annual fee for primary care is not an expense that everyone can manage. A membership with SFP is not low cost - but I do believe it is high value. And when the membership fee is broken down and really considered, I don’t believe it to be an unreasonable investment. For a monthly cost similar to your cell phone bill, you have direct access to your doctor. A doctor who knows you, your situation, your health, your values. You have someone with credentials who you can ask for advice on over the counter medication and vitamins, whether or not that mole should get looked at, or if it’s normal for a knee to make that sound, rather than asking Dr. Google. For the cost of my kid’s monthly taekwondo membership, or a dog grooming appointment (Doodle’s are bougie!) or LESS than the cost of smoking a pack a day, you could avoid a trip to urgent care vs a 3 month long wait for an appointment when you are having symptoms now.

You can continue to use insurance to cover costs of things like labs, images, specialty visits, or hospital stays. And if you have private (non-Medicare) insurance, or a health savings account, you may be able to get at least partial reimbursement for your membership fee or in office visits. So don’t wait for the next time you find yourself feeling abandoned by the healthcare system, needing care but at a loss for how to get it or where to go. Instead, consider joining the SFP family now!