Abstract
Direct primary care (DPC) is a market based approach to providing medical care. Patients avoid insurance and directly pay a monthly membership type of fee to physicians for unlimited access. DPC practices have been growing throughout the United States by claiming to be better for patients and primary care physicians. This paper looks into the ethical implications of such practices and explores future moral concerns if DPC continues to expand. Finally, from a societal perspective, regulated universal coverage, as provided in countries such as Japan, is examined as a way to achieve most of the benefits of DPC while avoiding many of the problems.
Highlights
This paper looks into the ethical implications of such practices and explores future moral concerns if Direct primary care (DPC) continues to expand
Direct primary care (DPC) is a newer phenomenon in the United States where patients directly pay their doctors a monthly fee for all of their primary care much like that they pay for their gym membership
This article will examine some of the moral issues with direct primary care, and additional moral implications to consider if it continues to expand, and what DPC teaches us about reforming the US healthcare system
Summary
Direct primary care (DPC) is a newer phenomenon in the United States where patients directly pay their doctors a monthly fee for all of their primary care much like that they pay for their gym membership. Patients can go to their physicians as often as they would like. This article will examine some of the moral issues with direct primary care, and additional moral implications to consider if it continues to expand, and what DPC teaches us about reforming the US healthcare system. Fewer physicians are going into primary care for several reasons. Primary Care Physicians earn on average 100,000 dollars less than specialists (Medscape, 2017). Physicians are having to see more patients for shorter periods of time, facing higher administrative costs, and receiving less reimbursement for their services.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
