Around ten years ago, I came across this video describing this new model of family medicine called direct primary care. I was blown away by the system’s efficiency and simplicity. I finished the video and thought, “it’s too good to be true. No way.” And I went about my life.
I finished medical school, finished residency, started working in corporate healthcare, since no other form of medical practice seemed viable. Time went on, I saw the cracks in the system.
Not just for me as a physician, but for my patients.
“Doc, why did that last visit cost me $450?” I didn’t know, I didn’t see even a quarter of that number.
“Did you know that it cost me $700 to have my wart frozen last time?” I thought your insurance would cover it.
“My labs cost $700 at our last visit and my insurance covered none of it. I can’t afford to get those labs again.” But you need those labs for me to manage your diabetes well…
The worst of all was a message after an appointment, “I appreciate your help with prescribing medication for my depression. I can’t come back and see you because I can’t afford the appointment cost and the previous visit cost is making my situation worse. I’m sorry.” But you were suicidal and I need to know you’re alright!
I went to medical school to help people and treat them holistically, but for some reason our patients’ financial wellbeing was never taken into consideration. I came to realize that while I was told that insurance would cover my services, reality showed otherwise. And I had no power to change it. So I reconsidered what Direct Primary Care had to say.
All of the security I held with an employed position didn’t stand up to the moral injury I had from financially straining my patients. So I quit my job and started Duluth’s first Direct Primary Care practice. And I’m here to stay.