Direct Primary Care for Employers

Direct primary care (DPC) is a membership-based model where physicians are paid directly through a low monthly fee, rather than paying high premiums to an insurance carrier, co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles.

The employees and employer benefit from DPC because the membership fee covers the cost of visits and primary care services, other than medications and prescriptions. Memberships are set up on a monthly basis and the employer can renew the plan annually.

When employers enroll in CHP's Mobile DPC Program, they have the option to select higher deductible/lower cost employer group plans, reducing monthly premiums. Employers can have a positive impact on future group plan renewal increases due to significant reduction of billed Primary, Urgent Care & ER visits through traditional group plans.

Enrollment in DPC is associated with a reduction in overall member demand for health care services outside primary care:

• DPC members have lower claim costs for employers
• DPC members experience fewer ER visits than those in traditional plans.
• DPC members experience a reduction in ER claims cost.
• DPC members show a reduction in the use of hospitalization and the need for more complex specialty care by DPC members.

It is accepted by the Affordable Care Act as an acceptable non-insurance option.

Any health costs that are not covered by the membership fees are likely reimbursable through a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)(HSA).