What is Direct Care Dermatology
Direct Care Dermatology is a an innovative healthcare model where patients pay doctors directly for services, bypassing traditional insurance networks (Medicare, Medicaid, private plans) to foster a direct, transparent patient-physician relationship, allowing for personalized care, longer appointments, upfront pricing, and potentially lower overall costs by reducing administrative overhead. Patients often pay at the time of service and might get reimbursed if they have out-of-network benefits or use HSAs, but direct pay doctors don't deal with insurance billing.
How it works
No Insurance Middleman: The practice doesn't bill insurance; patients pay the doctor directly.
By eliminating insurance billing and reducing administrative burdens, direct care dermatology practices can often offer more affordable services, leading to lower out-of-pocket costs for patients.
Payment: You pay a set fee for the visit or service at the time of care, with transparent, pre-disclosed costs. Patients must pay for your visit at the time of your visit.
Potential Reimbursement: If you have commercial insurance, you may submit a bill to your insurer for potential out-of-network reimbursement. we will provide patients, upon request, with a detailed bill that patients can submit to your insurance carrier. We do not contract with insurance companies.
Pathology fees, laboratory fees and prescriptions will be covered by insurance.
If patients need an extensive surgery not performed at our practice, we can refer patients to providers who accept insurance.
If patients need referrals to other specialties, like rheumatology or allergy and immunology, we can refer patients to providers who accept insurance.
HSAs/FSAs: You can often use Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Spending Accounts.
Benefits for patients
Transparency: Know costs upfront, avoiding surprise bills. Patients will have straightforward pricing – visits and procedure costs will be explained to patients ahead of time. There will be no surprise bills. The flat-fee structure helps patients budget for their skincare needs more effectively.
No annual fees, No copays
Personalized Care: More time with the doctor, less rushed appointments. Patients want unhurried, personalized, quality care and respect for their time. This personalized attention ensures that your concerns are thoroughly addressed and understood
Accessibility: Easier to get timely appointments, especially if you have high deductibles or struggle to find in-network specialists. Patients will not have long wait times to get in to see the doctor.
Simplicity: No complex insurance paperwork or waiting for approvals.
Focus on Health: Doctor's decisions are based on your needs, not insurance rules.
Who it's good for
People with high-deductible insurance plans.
Those who want a deeper, uncompromised doctor-patient relationship.
Individuals seeking cosmetic dermatology, as some services aren't covered by insurance anyway.