To provide health care that is:
I’ve been a family doctor for more than 30 years. I love to learn ways that I can be better at the science and art of medicine.
My amazing wife is a marriage and family therapist, and we have raised 5 children. We met when I was in medical school in Portland, Oregon. While in the Air Force, we lived in Washington D.C., California, Nebraska, and England. We have made our home in the lovely community of Liberty Lake for twelve years. We enjoy our grandchildren, swimming and hiking, walking our dog Roxy together, and reading a good book or exciting article about patient care.
Direct Primary Care lets me spend time with our patients. It’s a little like a 24/7 gym membership, because members pay a monthly fee, and they can visit as often as needed to meet their goals. Because patients are members, I can have as much time as necessary for our visits. I take care of fewer patients so I can take care of them better. We communicate by text, email, or phone to get members the answers they need quickly. Members don’t have to wait a long time to see a doctor, like in many fee-for-service offices.
Direct Primary Care doesn’t use insurance to cover the cost of the care we give our patients. In the past, my patients have had to wait for prior authorizations or even been denied care that we knew that they needed. Sure, everyone needs help covering really expensive care like hospitalization or major surgery. That’s why our patients often have high deductible or catastrophic health insurance or participate in a HealthShare plan. But people wouldn’t think of using their car insurance to pay for an oil change. Why should they pay for basic medical care with expensive insurance?
Direct Primary Care costs patients less. It covers all office visits, in-office diagnostics and procedures, and telemedicine. I help my patients obtain discounts on labs, medicines, and imaging. I can provide primary care and preventative services for a person for about the cost per day of a healthy snack. It’s a better way for all of us.
Direct Primary Care helps me fulfill my vision of giving my patients personalized, accessible, and affordable health care. It’s simpler, and it makes sense to me. Check out the video below produced by a fellow DPC doctor.