Is Membership Based Primary Care Right For You?

HFH Blog Post

Nov 24

You are not alone if you have never heard of membership based primary care. Or do not know much about it. Health insurance based care dominates the system we live in.

Many people find that membership care is a great fit for them.

Membership based care is when patients join a medical clinic through a monthly membership plan that provides quality, comprehensive, and convenient medical care without accepting or requiring health insurance.

All members pay a monthly fee and those with insurance can use their insurance for outside services but all membership get access to health care discounts through their membership.

Here are some reasons membership care may be good for you…

If you already have health insurance: Membership based care pairs well with health insurance. It provides the quality primary care services in a more convenient and empowering way while allowing health insurance to be available for hospital stays, ED visits, and surgeries.
If you have a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): Those with HDHP may find that accessing care is more expensive than they can afford. Membership based care provides access to quality primary care and discounted medical services like medications and labs. Membership based care can often save patients money because there are no co-pays to pay every appointment and patients get to save money on their medications and labs.
If you do not have health insurance or are uninsured: Those with no health insurance are able to have quality and affordable primary care through the membership. They are also able to get discounts on medications that they need to acute and chronic medical problems and get blood work to help manage and work up problems. The price transparency within a membership based clinic helps with have no medical debt or surprise medical bills.
If you are tired of feeling rushed in appointments: Membership based care is not tied to narrow and small appointment windows like traditional medicine that cause you to feel like the appointment was 5 minutes. Instead membership based care provides 30 to 60 minute appointments for each visit.
If you find it hard to schedule appointments: Membership based care provides more flexibility with appointment times by allowing patients to have in person, video, and telephone appointments to help communicate their needs and concerns.
If you want to speak to your doctor easily: At a membership based clinic you can get direct access to your doctor and be able to communicate through text, email, and phone calls to directly speak to your doctor more conveniently.
If you want a doctor you can trust: Through membership based care patients build stronger relationships with their doctor due to the access and time. This improves health outcomes but also helps patients advocate more as they prioritize their health with someone they trust to be genuine, thorough, and effective.