BOSTON, MA--(Marketwired - Dec 15, 2014) - MedFirst Partners (MFP) today announced the Massachusetts launch of Direct Primary Care (DPC), a flexible, membership-style approach and growing national trend currently offered by more than 4,400 U.S. physicians1 that provides an affordable, easily accessible, high-quality healthcare option for individuals and employers. Dr. Jeffrey S. Gold, a Marblehead-based primary care practitioner, has signed on with MFP as the first true DPC physician in Massachusetts. His new practice, Gold Direct Care, does not accept health insurance but instead offers patients unlimited visits, same-day appointments and 24/7 email and cell phone access for a flat annual fee.
DPC removes co-pays and insurance billing from the equation. This approach enables lower-cost tests, labs and ancillary services with an aim at keeping patients in a primary care setting instead of referring to specialists for potentially more expensive and invasive care. At Dr. Gold's practice, patients pay a monthly, age-based flat fee ranging from $30 to $125 for this comprehensive care, which includes an annual physical exam. Discounts are available for annual fees paid in full upon membership enrollment.
"Traditional primary care doctors realistically spend half their work day on insurance-related administration, which is a clear imbalance in the healthcare system," says Dr. Gold. "A DPC model allows me to provide the personal, thorough level of care that my patients want and need, but also makes financial sense from both the business perspective for my practice and healthcare spending perspective for the individuals and families we serve."
In DPC-based practices, laboratory tests and other ancillary services are usually charged at a reduced rate since they can be conducted in-house. For example, a cholesterol test could cost just $3 with DPC compared to $90 with a traditional health insurance plan.2
Open enrollment for ObamaCare is underway until February 15, 2015 and Massachusetts businesses are exploring DPC-based plans as a cost-effective, acceptable alternative when offered with a wrap-around catastrophic insurance policy. DPC plans can serve as a stand-alone benefit, or can be combined with employers' group plans, self-funded group plans, or Medicare to offer supplemental coverage, improve employee health and reduce absenteeism.
"It's important to understand that DPC only covers primary care services, so supplemental insurance is encouraged to cover other medical needs or emergency situations," says Dr. Gold. "While still a newer concept, this 'old school' style of medicine can be the right fit for many individuals, families or companies looking for a practical alternative to the standard primary care model. I look forward to growing my practice and introducing Boston-area residents to the benefits of DPC."
Town Hall Information Sessions
Dr. Gold will host three Town Hall meetings for employers and individuals interested in learning more about DPC on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET, and Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET at:
Hawthorne Hotel
18 Washington Square West
Salem, MA 01970
P: 978-744-4080
Please RSVP to Susan Abramovich at 1-800-939-1850 ext. 1 or susan.abramovich@medfirstpartners.com by January 1 to secure a spot. Custom Medical Plans will also be on hand to explain optional healthcare plans for individuals and employers that include membership to Dr. Gold's practice. Healthcare providers interested in exploring a DPC model are also welcome to attend. Appetizers and refreshments will be served.
For more information on Dr. Gold and his practice, please visit www.golddirectcare.com.
About MedFirst Partners
MedFirst Partners provides comprehensive conversion and marketing services to physicians seeking a return to a customer service focused private practice where there is no insurance billing. The MedFirst Partners team has 50+ years combined experience in Healthcare Operation and Marketing to help efficiently and sustainably convert practices to a Direct Primary Care model with customized, flexible programs that meet both doctor and patients' needs. For more information, please visit www.medfirstpartners.com.
1 Elizabeth O'Brien, "Why Concierge Medicine Will Get Bigger," The Wall Street Journal MarketWatch, January 17, 2013. Accessed on October 28, 2014 at: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-concierge-medicine-will-get-bigger-2013-01-17.
2 Hargreaves S. Cash-only doctors abandon the insurance system. CNN Money. http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/11/news/economy/cash-only-doctors/index.html. Published June 11, 2013. Accessed October 28, 2014.
Contact Information:
Contact:
Caren Begun
Tel: 856-424-2023