In Tarrant County, an increasing number of physicians are moving away from traditional insurance-based healthcare systems in favor of direct primary care (DPC), a membership-based model.
This approach involves patients paying a monthly fee directly to their physician, bypassing insurance companies altogether. Advocates of this system argue it simplifies healthcare delivery and prioritizes the doctor-patient relationship, reported the Fort Worth Report.
Dr. Anatoli Berezovsky, the owner and lead physician at Mila Family Health in Fort Worth, is among the growing group of doctors embracing DPC.
Located at 2501 Forest Park Blvd., Mila Family Health operates entirely on a membership basis, eliminating the need for insurance processing. “This model allows us to spend more time with our patients and provide personalized care without the administrative hurdles that come with insurance,” Dr. Berezovsky explained.
The shift to DPC has been noticeable throughout 2024.
In February, Tarrant County had around 20 direct primary care practices. By mid-December, that number had increased to 24, according to DPC Frontier, which tracks membership-based healthcare practices nationwide. This growth reflects the rising demand for an alternative to the traditional healthcare system.
Physicians transitioning to the DPC model often cite frustrations with the complexities of insurance reimbursement and its constraints on patient care. By eliminating insurance intermediaries, doctors can dedicate more time and resources to their patients, offering extended visits, comprehensive checkups, and even virtual consultations. Patients, in turn, value the predictability and transparency of flat-rate monthly fees.
Critics of the traditional insurance model argue that it prioritizes billing efficiency over quality care, creating an environment where doctors must see more patients in less time to sustain their practices financially. Direct primary care, by contrast, allows physicians to maintain smaller patient panels, resulting in more thorough and attentive medical services.
Despite its advantages, DPC is not without challenges.
Since it relies on direct payments, patients must still secure separate insurance for hospital visits, specialists, or emergencies. However, many supporters of the model believe the benefits outweigh these limitations, especially for routine and preventive care.