Direct Care
The Direct Care model improves access to high quality healthcare with a simple and affordable membership fee. No fee-for-service payments. No third-party billing. The defining element of Direct Care is an enduring and trusting relationship between a patient and doctor. At Summit you will have extraordinary access to your doctor. We will be able to spend the time to get to know you and focus on your goals. The only way we can increase access, improve the doctor-patient relationship and give the utmost transparency is by eliminating health “insurance.”
Direct Care can reduce the need for total healthcare services, ER visits and specialists visits thereby saving you time and money. A study published by the Society of Actuaries found that “DPC [Direct Care]… was associated with a statistically significant reduction in overall demand for health care services (−12.64%) and emergency department usage (−40.51%) after controlling for differences in age, gender and health status between the Direct Care and traditional cohorts.” A separate study found decreased ER visit, fewer specialists visits and an average savings of $679 per patient per year after the Direct Care membership is paid for.
Coverage with insurance does not equal access. You may have insurance, but your doctor may not be available to see you, urgent care may be packed or worse closed and your only option may be a busy ER. Direct Care changes that, so you have better access to a doctor that knows you.
Summit Direct Care does not replace your insurance. You should still maintain insurance coverage if you ever have to go to the ER, be admitted to the hospital, need surgery or to see a specialists. Read more here on how to maximize healthcare savings and make the most of your Summit membership.