Is direct primary care something to do instead of insurance, or in addition to insurance? I know someone who gets direct primary care and has no insurance, but I was telling him he should get insurance anyway in case of disaster -- was my advice incorrect?
Typically it is something you do in addition to insurance, though there is not a one size fits all model to it. Different providers and systems offer different levels and types of it. Atlas MD in kansas is an interesting one which is aimed at average income people and offers some pharmacy and labs at heavily discounted prices. From a cost savings standpoint things like x-rays, ultrasounds, ECG/EKG, stitches, cast removal, minor in office procedures, etc, are often done at no additional cost beyond the annual price. An ECG/EKG might be as much as $400 or more against your deductible, which instead could go toward direct primary care where it would be included.
In particular if you have say a chronic condition which remains unresolved after several interactions with the general purpose health system a direct primary care doctor has the time to put towards your case on an individual basis to potentially get to the bottom of it. My experience has been that they also do a much better job at management of chronic conditions but I would really like to see some more studies done in that area.
