FAQ #1: Why DPC if I have good insurance?

 FAQ #1:  Why DPC if I have good insurance?

(Disclaimer: I am not an insurance expert, and the opinions below are based on my own personal experience with health plans. I highly recommend that you consult with your insurance specialist for specific details regarding your own situation.)

First of all, it’s great that you have insurance!  Direct Primary Care (DPC) is NOT insurance, and ideally everyone should have insurance or a health sharing ministry to pay for expensive things like hospitalizations and surgeries.  You are not required to have insurance to be a member of Hilts DPC, but it is encouraged.  

Perhaps you have “great” insurance and you’re paying the highest premiums for the “Cadillac” plan offered by your employer.  I encourage you to read this post discussing the possibility that the “Cadillac” plan might not be the best one for you after all, and by switching to the lower premium, high deductible health plan (HDHP), you will likely save lots of money every year (maybe enough to pay for your DPC membership!).

For those who have already discovered the financial benefits of an HDHP plan, you should ask yourself, “What am I getting for my insurance dollars?”  Your deductible may be as high as $2,000-$6,000 per year, meaning that until you've met your deductible, every time you go to the doctor (other than for your annual wellness visit, which is usually free), you will be paying a high proportion of all your health expenses out-of-pocket (doctor visits, etc.). These high out-of-pocket costs create a disincentive for those with HDHP plans to see their doctor for anything other than an annual wellness visit.  This is not good for your health!  Because they want to avoid a big bill, people often wait to see their doctor for health concerns that should have been addressed earlier.  This delay can result in more serious health issues and far greater health care costs later on.  When you combine a HDHP plan with DPC, and you pay for labs and prescriptions in cash rather than through insurance, the result is:

• Potential for significant cost savings each year.  Presuming you don’t need a hospitalization or surgery, you won’t have to worry about meeting your deductible!

• You will be encouraged to see or call your doctor when you have concerns, acute illness, or emergencies, because there’s no extra charge for the visit (it’s all included in your membership), and problems can therefore be addressed early before they become more difficult to treat!  This is far better for your long-term (and short-term) health!

• No surprise (and often expensive) “facility fees”.

• Your doctor will likely get to know you well, since you will interact more often with him and your visits will be much longer (and relaxed!) than in a rushed and overly busy fee-for-service practice!  

Hopefully you’re now convinced of the benefits of being a DPC member and combining this with a HDHP health insurance plan.  If so, please head to this site and pre-enroll! 

If you have additional questions and would like us to call or email, please visit:  https://hiltsdpc.com/contact and we’ll reach out as soon as possible.