In the City of Greenville, A New Approach to Healthcare Emerges
Healthcare is a mammoth industry, clocking a whopping $4.5 trillion. But sadly, an emerging sentiment amongst the medical community suggests that profits frequently overrule patient care. For instance, take Dr. Sandra Rosado, a seasoned bilingual physician who has felt compelled to put a tiresome 20-year career of witnessing deteriorating patient interest in the back view mirror. “Healthcare… It is just a business and that is the sad part.” she observes.
Dr. Rosado passionately speaks of instances where she has felt pressured by her past employers into prescribing unnecessary treatments which may potentially trigger addiction in patients – all in a bid to meet lofty quotas. Her experience echoes with similar stories shared by physicians – of a crumbling healthcare system which seems more concerned with insurance paperwork and monetary gains rather than simple human compassion.
The Broken Cogs and Sprockets of the Healthcare Machine
Dr. Chris McCarthy and Dr. Jerome Aya-Ay, joint creators of Palmetto Proactive, located in Spartanburg, affirm her sentiments – “Yes, it is definitely broken in most every facet,” says McCarthy. According to these physicians, the regular face-to-face interaction time between a patient and their healthcare provider has plummeted drastically to a bare 7-8 minutes per consultation.
With an average patient scheduling every 15 minutes, the interferences by middlemen and the frantic rush to navigate through insurance obstacles contribute to a severely compromised quality of care.
Dr. Shane Purcell from Anderson drives a similar point home, saying, “A few weeks later you’re like, how is this possible? I got two minutes with a doctor and my bill is $300 or my insurance didn’t pay for it.” He continues, indicating a myriad of insurance issues that inflate care costs exorbitantly.
Bypassing the System through Direct Primary Care
With an aim to challenge the broken system, a slew of doctors are unraveling a new integrative approach to healthcare – the Direct Primary Care (DPC). “It’s kind of like Netflix,” compares McCarthy, emphasizing the freedom for patients to avail as many services as they need, without hindrance.
For a modest monthly fee, DPC offers a host of services such as unlimited doctor visits, annual check-ups, flu tests, x-rays, and urgent care needs. The concept also introduces a first-of-its-kind liberty to spend a generous 30-40 minutes (or even more) with a doctor during each visit.
Beyond individuals, businesses too are incorporating DPCs as part of their employee benefits. An example is Kenneth Cribb, owner of Hub City Hospitality. His company offsets about 50% of the DPC plan costs for his employees, giving them a form of healthcare accessible for around $28 a month.
The Nuts and Bolts of DPC – A Holistic Approach
Parallel to the economical advantages to businesses and employees, doctors vouch for the underlying ethos of this method. “If it is a new patient, I book one or two hours,” declares Dr. Rosado, aiming to foster a deeper conversation and understanding between the physician and patient. With DPC, the doctor and the patient form the lone pillars of the treatment process, filtering out all the traditional middlemen.
The DPC model is rapidly proving to be an attractive option for individuals and businesses alike, effectively challenging the existing norms of a healthcare system swarmed with interventions. Coupled with its affordable pricing range (typically $60-$80 per month), DPC looks primed to make a mark in the healthcare field as an innovative player offering a more patient-centric approach.
