Posted by: AtlasMD

April 18, 2014

Stream The Next Atlas MD Podcast, Episode 16 >

“Medicine is a business,” says Dr. Doug Nunamaker, “And how our nation’s doing it isn’t working.”

Listen to Drs. Josh and Doug discuss Direct Care in the latest episode of the Atlas MD podcast.

Ditching insurance companies and running a successful business isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s the only way that family care will keep doctors and patients healthy and happy.

However, one of the biggest challenges for a new Direct Care doctor will be the transition. Which is why we recommend that patients pre-enroll in your Direct Care clinic before you make the switch. Feel out which patients are going to join you, and for those who aren’t ready to follow your lead yet, no worries. With the proper planning and commitment, you can help all your current patients find primary care, and run a profitable business.

If you’re considering a transition into this affordable, powerful alternative to the hurried world of fee-for-service medicine, make sure to visit IWantDirectCare.com. There, you can create a Clinic Account to let potential Direct Care patients know where you plan to offer cash-only medicine.

Posted by: AtlasMD

April 17, 2014

Do You Hear The Sound Of American Healthcare Failing? Oh, Right, You’re Not Listening.

Medical Megatrends and the Future of Medicine blogger Dr. Schimpff writes that a lack of listening is the core problem in American healthcare. It’s part of a series of blog posts he’s writing on the crisis in primary care.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

April 15, 2014

It’s The Chicken Or The Egg Again. Will Direct Care Expand Proportionately To Demand For Preventative Care?

The president’s signature legislation aims to provide every American with affordable health insurance options, but there’s been an increase in doctors becoming direct pay or cash-only practices recently.

“There’s no doubt that one of the driving forces behind direct-pay practices is frustration and anger with health care among physicians,” says Michael Smith, medical director and chief medical editor at WebMD. “More and more doctors feel they are ready to quit the system and start practicing off the grid.”

But what about patient demand for preventative care? Something that fee-for-service medicine DOES NOT ENCOURAGE — and that Direct Care thrives on.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

April 14, 2014

Direct Care Opponents Claim Our Patients Are “Exposed”? Tell That To A Surprising Proponent (The Healthcare Exchange).

In South Portland, Maine — Roxanne Pettigrow chooses not to buy health insurance. She visits her doctor in South Portland every few weeks, though, paying $50 up front, once per month for regular checkups, office visits and preventive health screenings. It’s care that those who lack health coverage often skip.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

April 10, 2014

Will The Uninsured Become Healthier Once They Receive Healthcare Coverage?

Conventional wisdom might tell you, The Affordable Care Act will save thousands of lives, as millions of uninsured persons* receive the coverage they lacked, and hence the care they need.

But although commentators make the assumption that the ACA will improve the health of the uninsured, the link between health insurance and health isn’t so clear.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

April 10, 2014

Red Tape By Any Other Name — How Medicare Drives High Healthcare Costs

Yes, Medicare pays the medical bills for millions of people 65 and older. And its benefit is tremendous. But recent studies show it plays another huge role in American healthcare: It helps set prices for everyone in the economy.

Read more

Posted by: Josh Umbehr, M.D.

April 9, 2014

Direct Care Is The Most Political, Least Political Healthcare

Originally posted on KevinMD.com

This post deserves a caveat — healthcare shouldn’t be a political issue. When someone comes into my office because they have chest pain, I don’t ask them “What’s your political leaning?” before administering care. And now after reading about the recent delay of ICD-10 in Congress, I realized that my choice in practicing Direct Care was the most political and least political thing I could have done.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

April 2, 2014

Direct Care Is The Blue Collar Bootstrap Solution To Our Broken Healthcare System

Yes, it’s true. More and more primary-care and family physicians are launching concierge practices for middle- and lower-income patients. It’s not an April Fools jokes. We literally saw 5 more docs enter the field just this week!

And yes, we’re limited in scope now. But we are radically reshaping how American families get their medicine.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

March 25, 2014

Nine Reasons To Skip Obamacare And Find Direct Care Instead

HAMLET

The March 31 deadline for enrolling in Obamacare is coming! Millions of Americans have already lost their own private health insurance policies. Many more are facing rising premiums for their current plans. Small businesses are already facing tax hikes. And all of this because of the costly requirements of the new healthcare law.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

March 24, 2014

ACA Offers Cheap Insurance With Hefty Fees For Specialty Drugs

yep

President Barack Obama promised affordable health insurance under his new law, and yes, Americans with serious illnesses are finding plans with relatively low monthly premiums. In a lot of cases, they’re getting first-time access to health insurance. But these cheap plans come with a staggering cost.

Read more