Direct Primary Care in Houston
Direct Primary Care in Houston is still in its early stages, but growing rapidly. DPC improves patient choice by eliminating middlemen and providing affordable options for quality healthcare. This healthcare model empowers the doctor to make patient-based medical decisions because they are paid directly by the patient, not insurance companies or corporate CEOs.
Dr. Cindy chose to practice direct primary care in Houston because:
*She wanted to open a practice that prioritized patient-choice
*DPC allows her to deliver treatment in ways that fit the lifestyle of her patients
*Healthcare shouldn't be a privilege- minimizing the price of healthcare for families is one of her top priorities
For a low monthly membership fee, the patient receives comprehensive primary care including clinical services, consultative services, care coordination and care management. That means there is no co-pay or deductible when you have to schedule an office visit. For most DPCs, including Prickly Pear Family Medicine, members get unlimited visits with their doctor. While the monthly membership will cover the vast majority of a patient's needs, there may be nominal fees for procedures or testing.
Direct Primary Care Clinic Near Me?
A Google Map search of direct primary care clinics in Houston shows that the majority of DPC clinics are based in Katy, Woodlands and other surrounding suburbs. Prickly Pear Family Medicine is located right in the heart of the city so that we are accessible to more families. Our location is serviced by public transportation and close to many diverse communities.
A Google Map search of direct primary care clinics in Houston shows that the majority of DPC clinics are based in Katy, Woodlands and other surrounding suburbs. Prickly Pear Family Medicine is located right in the heart of the city so that we are accessible to more families. Our location is serviced by public transportation and close to many diverse communities.
How much does membership at a DPC clinic cost?
While many DPC clinics promote their practice as a lower-priced alternative to traditional healthcare, their monthly membership rates are still cost prohibitive for a large number of Houston's families. The average membership price for a Houston-area DPC clinic is about $70, but ranges from $60 - $100 depending on the clinic and your plan. Most DPC clinics have age-based membership plans. Older patients get charged more.
At Prickly Pear Family Medicine, we don't believe our patients' pocket books should be penalized because they had a birthday. Dr. Cindy assesses each patient individually and offers a membership plan that aligns with their medical needs. This means our patients only pay for how they use healthcare.
Price is an important consideration for many families, that's why our membership rates are the most affordable in Houston. Our membership plans range from $45 - $65, but the real value of the DPC model comes from the relationship that forms between the patient and their doctor.
While a doctor at a traditional clinic could have over 2,000 patients, Dr. Cindy is limiting her number of patients to less than 700. This means no rush medical assessments and more time during appointments for patient education.
DPC is "Wellness-on-Demand"
Developing deep patient-doctor relationships is a cornerstone of direct primary care. By focusing on strengthening this relationship doctors are able to achieve better health outcomes, lower prices and enhance the patient experience.
Unrushed appointment times increase communication effectiveness, but the communication doesn't stop once the patient leaves the clinic. DPC patients have the ability to call, email, text or video chat with their doctor 24/7.
Dr. Cindy calls this "wellness-on-demand". This type of access to a doctor has historically been available to a small number of wealthy patients of private concierge practices. Now, she is making the service available to the masses.
Direct Primary Care vs Insurance
How direct primary care relates to insurance can be confusing. Direct Primary Care is not insurance. It's a new healthcare business model. While most DPC clinics do not take insurance, many recommend patients at least purchase wrap-around insurance coverage that covers catastrophic medical emergencies and meets requirements of the health care law.
The combination of DPC membership plus wrap around insurance has gotten a lot of attention for its ability to provide comprehensive healthcare while controlling costs. This can be a complex topic, and each family should get more information insurance and DPC to see what works best for their situation.
There are "hybrid" DPC clinics available as another option. These doctors take paid memberships and also accept insurance. The particulars of their services and operations vary from clinic to clinic so reading through their website is critical.
Treating Patients, the Way I Treat My Abuelita
As a kid, I saw firsthand how families struggled accessing healthcare and finding a bilingual doctor. I founded Prickly Pear Family Medicine because healthcare shouldn't be a privilege and everyone should have a doctor in the family.
Get in touch, let's get together & talk about your health
As a doctor, only spending 10 minutes with a patient doesn't cut it. That's not the way I practice medicine. Patient visits at my clinic are always unrushed. I'm looking to earn your trust, not the blessing of an insurance company.
