• Cost reduction:

DPC’s have lower overall healthcare costs compared to traditional insurance plans and clinics due to the fixed monthly fee, more efficient care, and eliminating the need for copays or deductibles.  Labs, procedures, and medicines given in the office are included in the monthly fee.  No surprises.  Gaston Family Practice is able to find and schedule lower cost imaging or other testing as needed.  We are not incentivized to order unnecessary testing. 

• Improved employee health:

By encouraging regular checkups and preventive care, Gaston Family Practice can help identify and address health issues early on, leading to a healthier workforce.  We can also see patients anytime there is an illness, injury, or acute problem.  The doctors are available 24/7 to answer questions and give advice. 

• Reduced absenteeism:

Easier access to healthcare means employees are less likely to miss work due to illness. 

• Increased productivity:

A healthier workforce with prompt access to care can contribute to higher productivity levels. 

• Enhanced employee satisfaction:

Gaston Family Practice provides more personalized care with better doctor availability, leading to improved employee satisfaction. 

• Better recruitment and retention:

Offering Gaston Family Practice as a benefit can be a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent. 

• Convenience and accessibility:

Same day/next day appointments and 24/7 ability to contact one of the doctors.  Friendly staff to always answer phones during office hours and help patients.  An easy-to-use portal is available to message the doctors with any questions, comments, or concerns.  Labs and other results are available on the portal to review with explanations from the doctor.  We have flexible scheduling, which improves access to care.  Appointments are at least 30 minutes long and allow patients to ask questions or discuss whatever concerns they have.

You still need some type of coverage for care outside of our practice.  We manage acute or chronic problems, but you need coverage for specialty care or hospital care.  The type of insurance coverage that you need will depend on different factors.  Are you big enough to self-fund or level-fund?  Would it be better to sign up for a group share plan?  Would it be better for each employee to get their own insurance and the business just provide our DPC coverage?  That is a discussion that needs to involve a Benefits Advisor.  We are happy to meet with any advisors that you are working with to discuss how we can take exceptional care of your business and save you money.  We have Benefits Advisors that we can connect a business with, if needed. 

• Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a direct payment model restoring the personal relationship between patients and physicians by removing the insurance obstacles that often prevent providers from focusing on their patient’s overall health. This also removes any barriers or costs from the employee/participant from seeing their doctor whenever needed.  When employers include DPC in their benefits package, members(employees/families or participants) receive no-cost doctor visits and better care. In turn, DPC members have proven to have 20%* less medical claim costs due to a reduction in hospitalization, ER usage, and imaging services.

*Milliman Study/Primary Care is Foundational; Jama/Organization & Performance in the US The Society of Actuaries Report | direct-primary-care (dpcare.org)

• You need experienced DPC providers that can provide exceptional outpatient care across a broad range of medical problems to maximize your cost savings. That is where Gaston Family Practice excels!  Rather than getting inappropriate testing, imaging, and referring everything out to specialists, we appropriately evaluate and treat our patients, provide better care, and reduce overall expenses.  We are available to see and talk with our patients in the office whenever needed with same day/next day appointments or via phone 24/7.  One of the 3 doctors is on call after hours to answer any questions or work through any problems. 

Level-Funded Health Plans

A hybrid healthcare funding strategy that offers employers a fixed monthly premium with the potential of unused medical funds being returned after the close of the plan year.

Self-Funded Health Plan

A type of health insurance arrangement where an employer or organization takes on financial risk for providing health benefits to its employees or members. Rather than paying premiums to an insurance company to cover medical expenses, the employer or organization sets aside funds to pay for the healthcare costs of its employees or members.

Independent Third Party Administrator (TPA)

A company or organization that is an independent entity separate from the insurance company that provides administrative services for health insurance plans on behalf of employers. TPAs are responsible for managing various aspects of the health plan, including claims processing, enrollment, customer service, and provider network management.  A Benefits Advisor would be able to setup a TPA, if needed. 

Group Share Plan

A community-based membership that helps members pay for larger medical bills.  Members pay a monthly fee to contribute to the pool of funds.  When a member needs funds, the pool is used to pay for their medical expenses.  One of the key benefits of a health share plan is the potential to save money. Members often pay lower monthly contributions compared to traditional health insurance premiums.  Paired with a DPC, the cost savings are substantial.  There are some drawbacks, such as not covering pre-existing conditions for at least the first year.  This is a great option for healthy individuals or someone with a chronic problem that won’t potentially lead to a hospital admission. 

Every business is different and requires analysis of different factors to figure out the right combination to maximize your cost savings while getting exceptional care.  We depend on Benefits Advisors to provide the analysis and best options for each business to pair with Gaston Family Practice.  We are happy to work with any advisors you currently use, or we can recommend advisors to help come up with the ideal healthcare coverage/benefits for your business.   Call the office or contact us to setup a time to answer any questions that you may have.