Revolutionizing Healthcare: Direct Primary Care Model in Wichita Improves Access to Physicians
Trying to contact a primary care doctor can be challenging. Patients often face long automated phone prompts and may not speak with their doctor directly. This situation is partly due to a nationwide shortage of primary care physicians. Many family doctors manage large patient loads, which limits their ability to answer questions.
In Wichita, a facility offers a different approach. Instead of relying on insurance, they provide a subscription service. For a monthly fee, patients receive easier access to physicians, including the option to text their doctor directly.
Randi Krier, a Wichita resident, shared her positive experience with Antioch Med, a direct primary care practice. They do not accept insurance. Instead, members pay a monthly fee, which can reach a maximum of $250 per family. Krier enjoys the convenience of being able to quickly contact her doctor and appreciates not having to wait for appointments.
According to a 2021 study published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, direct primary care is gaining popularity. Supporters claim it provides more autonomy for doctors and allows for more patient interaction, leading to better healthcare experiences.
Dr. Brandon Alleman, co-founder of Antioch Med, aims to expand direct primary care in Kansas. This model allows patients to pay a flat fee for access to their doctor, covering various services. At Antioch Med, the cost is $39 per month for children and $79 for adults, with a family cap of $250. Members can call or text to schedule appointments at no extra charge.
Krier noted that if her children get sick, she can reach out and receive care the same day. She values the transparency of costs and trusts the healthcare professionals at Antioch Med. Krier remarked on the calm atmosphere, contrasting her experiences in traditional practices, where she often felt rushed.
While this model provides many benefits, it is not all-encompassing. Krier’s family still pays for health insurance to cover what Antioch Med cannot handle, such as emergencies.
Antioch Med was founded in 2016 by Doctors Alleman and Nick Tomsen. Alleman recognized issues with the traditional healthcare system during his medical training. He believes that the lack of pricing transparency makes care inaccessible. When the practice opened, direct primary care was relatively uncommon, but there are now nearly 2,500 similar practices across the country.
Survey data from the American Academy of Family Physicians indicates that physicians in direct primary care are generally happier in their work. Many doctors are finding fulfillment in this model, and patients appreciate an improved access to primary care.
What are the main benefits of the direct primary care model compared to traditional healthcare systems?
Interview with Dr. Brandon Alleman, Co-founder of Antioch Med: Revolutionizing Patient Care through Direct Primary Care
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In light of the ongoing challenges faced by patients attempting to contact primary care physicians—such as lengthy automated phone systems and long wait times for appointments—we sat down with Dr. Brandon Alleman, co-founder of Antioch Med in Wichita, to discuss how direct primary care is reshaping the patient experience and addressing the nationwide shortage of primary care doctors.
Q: Dr. Alleman, can you explain what inspired you to create Antioch Med and focus on the direct primary care model?
Dr. Alleman: Absolutely. During my medical training, I observed significant flaws in the traditional healthcare system, primarily related to accessibility and pricing transparency. Many patients felt lost in a convoluted system where automated calls and insurance constraints limited their ability to connect with their doctors. I wanted to create a practice that emphasizes direct communication between patients and physicians, offering a more straightforward and supportive healthcare experience.
Q: You’ve mentioned the issues with traditional healthcare in your experience. How does Antioch Med differ from traditional clinics?
Dr. Alleman: We operate on a subscription-based model that doesn’t involve insurance during regular visits. Patients pay a flat monthly fee that grants them direct access to me and my colleagues, including the ability to call or text about any concerns they might have. This model allows us to limit our patient load, which means we can dedicate more time to each individual, ultimately improving the quality of care.
Q: What kind of services can patients expect from Antioch Med, and how does the pricing structure work?
Dr. Alleman: Our pricing is designed to be transparent and predictable. It costs $39 per month for children and $79 for adults, with a family maximum of $250. This fee covers a wide array of services including same-day appointments, preventive care, and chronic disease management, among others. If a patient needs emergency care or specialist services, they would still need health insurance, but our model makes primary care much more accessible and manageable.
Q: Can you share a bit more about the feedback you’ve received from patients like Randi Krier? How do they describe their experiences compared to traditional practices?
Dr. Alleman: Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many patients, including Randi, appreciate the ease of contact and the absence of the stressful, rushed environment often found in traditional practices. Patients feel more connected and valued, and they often comment on the calm atmosphere we promote here. They know they can reach out anytime, especially when their children get sick, which significantly alleviates their worries.
Q: You mentioned the growing number of direct primary care practices across the country. How do you see this trend evolving in Kansas and beyond?
Dr. Alleman: Direct primary care is definitely gaining traction. As more people become frustrated with traditional healthcare barriers, they are actively seeking alternatives that provide better access and control over their health. Our goal is to expand our practice and help educate others about this model, showing that it can work effectively within the healthcare landscape, not just in Kansas but nationally as well.
Q: Lastly, what do you believe is the future of primary care in America?
Dr. Alleman: I believe we are at a critical juncture. The healthcare system must adapt to better meet the needs of patients. Moving towards models like direct primary care could be a solution to the physician shortage and a way to return to patient-centered care. It’s about putting the doctor-patient relationship at the forefront and reinstating trust in healthcare.
Dr. Alleman’s insights highlight a potential solution to the difficulties faced by patients seeking primary care today. With the rising acceptance of models like Antioch Med, the hope is for a future where accessing healthcare is as simple as a text message away.
For more information on Antioch Med and its offerings, visit Antioch Med’s website.
A key goal of Antioch Med is to serve as a “medical home” for patients. The practice intends to build strong relationships with patients, understanding their daily lives to address health issues effectively. They offer support even when patients need to see specialists for further care.
Direct primary care practices maintain smaller patient rosters than traditional ones. While most physicians serve 2,000 to 3,000 patients, at Antioch Med, doctors care for only about 600 to 800 patients. This model reduces the risk of physician burnout and lowers the likelihood of patients needing urgent care.
Dr. Tina-Ann Thompson of Emory Healthcare supports the concept of direct primary care as a way to alleviate physician burnout. She acknowledges the model’s limitations but argues that it can still serve communities, especially in the context of high healthcare costs.
Alleman recently started a health insurance advisory firm, Candid Health Advisors, to address the challenges faced by patients utilizing direct primary care. Traditional health insurance has not decreased in cost, which limits the benefits of this model without adjustments to insurance structures.
Candid Health Advisors helps employers self-insure and offers options to cover direct primary care memberships for employees. This approach ensures employers choose transparent pricing models for healthcare services.
An example of this model’s success is Village Travel, a company that adopted self-insurance and direct primary care options. Employees reported a significant drop in out-of-pocket costs, with many expressing gratitude for their new healthcare plan.
Together, these efforts are reshaping access to primary care, emphasizing transparency and improving patients’ experiences across Kansas.