x
When it comes to receiving medical care, many people rely on healthcare providers employed by large hospitals or healthcare systems, but in recent years, an increasing number of patients are deliberately turning to independent doctors such as direct primary care doctors for their medical care.
There are several advantages to using an independent doctor, including freedom of speech, greater flexibility, personalized care, and potentially lower costs.
An independent doctor is a medical professional who operates their own private practice, rather than being an employee of a large hospital or managed care system. Independent doctors are self-employed independent contractors or small business owners. They therefore have more control over their schedules, fees, and treatment plans.
They are also likely to have more liberty to give frank medical advice to their patients, unbiased by bureaucratic or government mandates, or by “gag” orders placed on them by large healthcare corporations and insurance companies.
One significant advantage of using an independent doctor is the freedom of speech that they offer. Independent doctors have more freedom to share information without fear of censorship or discipline by large healthcare organizations.
Doctors at large health care organizations are under constant scrutiny by health care bureaucrats. Their prescriptions and treatment plans are regularly reviewed by higher-ups at the hospital or managed care organization. There have been many cases where doctors have been disciplined or fired because of their care recommendations – particularly during the COVID epidemic.
For example, in September 2021, the Oregon Medical Board suspended the license of a doctor who had been prescribing ivermectin for COVID-19 patients, In another case, a doctor in Texas was fired from his job at a hospital after prescribing ivermectin for COVID-19 patients without the hospital’s approval.
More recently, doctors’ freedom of speech has come under increasing assault. The state of California recently passed a law essentially placing a gag order on doctors, preventing them from freely sharing their medical views and treatment recommendations with their patients. The law has been blocked by a judge, pending the results of two lawsuits by doctors’ groups challenging the law on First Amendment grounds.
But the “chilling effect” of this law and other disciplinary actions and firings on the advice doctors have given to patients in recent years is incalculable.
Doctors at large managed care organizations have a built-in conflict of interest. They are under constant pressure not to recommend expensive courses of treatment that could jeopardize the organization’s relationship with the insurance company.
In contrast, an independent doctor has a much wider referral network, and can offer their patients a wider range of treatments, tests, and procedures that might not be available through larger healthcare systems. Both doctors and patients also have more privacy.
Additionally, independent doctors also have more freedom to provide their patients with information about alternative therapies, lifestyle changes, and other health-related issues that may not be supported by larger healthcare organizations.
Independent doctors have more control over their practice and decision-making, which can provide an added sense of trust and transparency for patients. This can help to build stronger relationships between the doctor and patient, leading to better communication and overall health outcomes.
This is one intrinsic advantage that Direct Primary Care (DPC) practices have over traditional primary care providers who are dependent on large insurance companies and managed care organizations.
Since DPC patients don’t use traditional insurance to pay for primary care, DPC doctors have much less bureaucratic or outside scrutiny or influence to pressure them about their treatment recommendations.
Independent doctors are typically more flexible than doctors who work in large hospitals or healthcare systems. They have more control over their schedules, which allows them to spend more time with their patients.
This is especially true with Direct Primary Care doctors: because they have much less overhead, they have much lower patient loads. They can therefore spend much more time with each patient. This can lead to more personalized care and a better overall patient experience. [Source: Verywell Health]
Independent doctors are not bound by the policies and procedures of larger healthcare systems. They have more freedom to customize treatment plans and provide a wider range of services to their patients. This can be particularly beneficial for patients with complex medical conditions who require specialized care. [Source: Forbes]
Using an independent doctor can also lead to better health outcomes. Independent doctors typically have more time to spend with their patients, which allows them to build stronger relationships and gain a better understanding of their patients’ needs. This can lead to more effective treatments and better long-term health outcomes. A 2014 article showed that patients of small practice physicians are less likely to have a preventable hospital readmission.
One of the main advantages of using an independent doctor is the potential for cost savings. Independent doctors have lower overhead costs than hospitals and clinics, which means they may be able to charge lower fees for their services. In some cases, patients may also be able to save money on procedures and tests that are not covered by insurance, as independent doctors may have more flexibility to negotiate prices with labs and other providers.
Overall, there are many advantages to using an independent doctor for medical care in the United States.
Patients who are looking for high-quality healthcare that is tailored to their needs should consider using an independent doctor for their medical care. However, patients should also weigh the potential drawbacks and ensure that they have access to the necessary resources and insurance coverage before making their choice.
