MU Health Care and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield failed to agree on a contract, leaving thousands of patients to seek other healthcare options to stay in Anthem’s network. One alternative gaining popularity is direct primary care, a subscription-based form of healthcare that began in the 2000s. “You can come in as much as you want.
You get all of your acute care, all your chronic disease management, all your generic meds,” said Dr. Adam Wheeler of Big Tree Medical in Columbia. Membership fees for direct primary care can range between $50 and $150 a month, depending on the clinic and services included.
Some clinics, like Big Tree Medical, also offer group plans for families and businesses. Wheeler mentioned he sees roughly 15-20 patients a day. “I love it because it really aligns my incentives with my patients’ incentives, whereas the traditional healthcare system often has those at odds,” said Wheeler.
He explained that the service improves the patient-doctor relationship and provides quicker access to care compared to traditional healthcare settings. “From what we hear at other clinics, it’s about six months for a new patient appointment. We have appointments available today,” Wheeler said.
The monthly service also allows patients to save on various medical services, from prescriptions to X-rays.
Patients pursue alternative healthcare options
“We have our own pharmacy, so all generic medications are included for free with a membership,” Wheeler added.
“We offer free X-rays and do labs at about 90% off what insurance companies pay.” However, while direct primary care covers routine medical needs, patients may still need traditional insurance for hospital stays, emergencies, and specialized care, according to Wheeler. Daryl Coward, a patient at Big Tree Medical, has been using the service for about six months and pays an $80 monthly fee. He said the subscription has made visiting the doctor more enjoyable.
“I go to the doctor now, whereas before I didn’t go much because it was always difficult. Other places are more corporate with certain constraints, but this feels more like a family,” Coward said. Big Tree Medical accepts Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, which can help patients who live in rural areas benefit from direct primary care.
The service uses technology like text messages and video visits to provide care. Other direct primary care clinics in Mid-Missouri include Health-1 and Liberty Family Medicine in Columbia, and Innovative Medical Clinic in Jefferson City. Big Tree Medical’s flagship location is in Columbia, where it also operates a dedicated pediatric clinic.
Additional locations include Jefferson City, Boonville, and Sedalia. Concierge care is another form of subscription-based healthcare, typically with a higher price tag and targeting those in a certain income bracket. “Our goal is to keep our monthly membership fee as affordable as possible to serve as many families and individuals in mid-Missouri as possible without the burden of skyrocketing healthcare costs,” said Big Tree spokeswoman Isabella Janney.
