Direct & Hybrid Primary Care
Partner Medical is Direct & Hybrid care, delivering comprehensive primary care to patients of all ages. Our direct model allows patients to contract directly with their provider instead of with insurance companies or large health systems.
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The hybrid model of care leverages technology to make care as convenient as possible while still comprehensive by coupling telemedicine (text, phone, and video) with home visits.
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary care is old-fashioned and new. It is old-fashioned in that it goes back to when there were not layers between patients and their care-givers. It is new in that it uses technology to circumvent many of the things that have made care inaccessible.
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There are two main features of Direct Care:
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Doctors/Providers are paid directly by the patient (or employer), not accepting payment from third-party insurances.
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Payment is solely through a low membership fee, with no additional charges for care.
What is Hybrid Primary Care?
Hybrid primary care is the concept of delivering care through BOTH telemedicine AND in-person home visits.
This gives you access to care anywhere, any time with a direct line to your provider's cell phone for text, email, phone call, or video.
It also allows us to offer comprehensive care for those things that need an in-person visit, but still keeping convenience top priority by visiting your home instead of requiring you to come to our office.
Why is Paying Directly Important?
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Primary care is not expensive - insurance is not necessary to cover the cost (much like car insurance doesn’t cover gas, tune-ups, and flat tires).
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Insurance companies hide the cost of care from those paying for it. If you go to most doctors and ask them what an office visit costs, they won’t be able to tell you. Whereas in direct care, all costs are transparent, making the care accountable and the cost predictable.
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It removes any third-party influence that can bias providers away from making medical decisions that are best for their patients.
What about Insurance?
While primary care is inexpensive, the same cannot be said for all of healthcare. Health insurance is important for protection in case major health issues arise that are expensive to treat.​ We recommend our patients have insurance in case of surgery, hospitalization, or expensive medications.
Why a Monthly Fee?
By charging a monthly membership fee instead of a fee each time you use our service, we ensure that our incentives are aligned with yours - to keep you healthy and happy with your membership. Unlike traditional primary care options, this means we don't get rewarded for:
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Bringing you in for any problem, no matter how small
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Having you be sick and coming in over and over for care
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Doing as many procedures on you as possible
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Spending as little time with you as possible (to see more patients per day)
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It also means we are rewarded by offering high quality, personalized, and convenient care:
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Care can be given via text message, over the phone or video
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Visits are as often or as long as needed to ensure your care plans align with your health and personal goals
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Visits are almost always available same/next day
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Care is delivered at the highest quality to ensure we keep you healthy