Many years ago, I ran across a video explaining the merits of a healthcare delivery system called “Direct Primary Care.” I thought it was too good to be true. Smaller patient panels, longer visit times, and no constraints by insurance? No way that’s actually possible. And patients won’t want to pay out-of-pocket for their healthcare. I thought it would be best to go on with a career in the traditional medical system. After all, patients don’t need to pay out of pocket for traditional healthcare because they have health insurance. Right? …right?
In 2020, I landed my dream job doing outpatient family medicine with obstetrics, eventually integrating resident medical education into my week. As the years went by, I knew that something was wrong. I increasingly heard from my patients that they can’t come back for their follow-up visits because their insurance wasn’t covering them (at least until they hit their $10,000 deductible). Patients similarly asked me to avoid ordering necessary labs for the same reasons. With increasing health insurance premiums and more restrictive Medicaid cut-offs, I knew the problem was only getting worse. There had to be another way.
So, I reconsidered the DPC model. The more I looked, the more I recognized DPC not only as a sustainable way to provide affordable healthcare, but also as a way to mend patient experience through improved access, longer visits, and deeper relationships.
I also love teaching! Unfortunately, the rushed schedule of the traditional healthcare system rarely allowed me to sufficiently teach my patients about their bodies and conditions affecting them. With a less restrained schedule, I’ll be able to spend more time educating my patients about their health and empowering them to make the most highly informed decisions possible.
So here we are! Welcome to Palisade DPC. I’d be honored to care for you and your family.
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Dr. Allen originally hails from Le Center, MN and completed his undergraduate at Wheaton College in Illinois. When he came to Duluth for medical school, he knew that it would be his long-term home. After a brief foray in Sioux Falls, SD for his family medicine residency, he and his family moved back to Duluth to settle down for good. He practiced traditional outpatient family medicine with obstetrics for 5 years before making the transition to DPC.
Dr. Allen’s patient experience ratings averaged 4.9 out of 5 stars (can’t win ‘em all) as an employed physician. He has been awarded for outstanding patient experience and received numerous awards for teaching medical students and residents.
Dr. Allen spends his free time wrestling his three sons and snuggling his wife and daughter. His various hobbies include reading, video games, movies, baking/cooking, football (Skol), and church involvement.
 | Traditional Insurance-based Healthcare | |
Ease of Access | Call your clinic, talk to your doctor. | Get routed to a call center, maybe get called back within the week. |
Immediate concern? | Same-day or next-day visits | See your doctor in a month, or go to the urgent care |
Wait times | None. | Wait an hour in the waiting room for your doctor to finish seeing the 10th patient of the morning. |
Time with physician | Unhurried (30-60 minute visits) | Rushed visits |
Labs | Standard lab charge (2024): CBC: $1.13 Comprehensive metabolic panel: $4.87 Urinalysis: $5.76 Lab draw fee: None | Standard lab charge: CBC: >$60.00 CMP: >$100.00 Urinalysis: >$30.00 Lab draw fee: Unknown add-on |
Generic Medications | Wholesale Cost | Only discount with coupons |
Billing | Complete transparency | Highly insurance dependent |
Included procedures |
| None |
*Additional charge for medical devices or pathology at cost.
