Direct Primary Care -- FPM Topic Collection
Jul 13, 2020 - Some physicians are breaking ties with insurance companies and offering a direct-pay or cash-only approach to primary care services. This topic collection highlights several practices that have had success with variations of this model. Some physicians are breaking ties with insurance ...
Family Practice Management : Topic Collections
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=90
Direct Primary Care (DPC)
The AAFP supports a physician's choice to provide health care in any ethical health care delivery system model, including the DPC practice setting.
Advocacy : Advocating for You: Advocacy Topics
https://www.aafp.org/advocacy/advocacy-topics/physician-payment/dpc.html
Direct Primary Care
Family physicians can learn about the direct primary care (DPC) model, which provides a meaningful alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing.
Family Physician : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/delivery-payment-models/direct-primary-care.html
DPC Toolkit
The AAFP DPC Toolkit is designed to help family physicians evaluate and plan for their conversion or start a direct primary care practice.
Family Physician : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/delivery-payment-models/direct-primary-care/toolkit.html
Considering direct primary care? Here are five tips to get started
Interest in DPC was growing even before the pandemic took a chunk out of fee-for-service revenues. If you’re among those interested in the model, here are five tips for making the switch.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/dpc_online_resources.html
Direct Primary Care
Read the AAFP's policy statement on direct primary care.
About AAFP |AAFP Policies and Recommendations : Policies
https://www.aafp.org/about/policies/all/direct-primary-care.html
AAFP Direct Primary Care Toolkit: DPC Overview
Direct primary care (DPC) is a payment model that has grown, in large part, from the discipline of family medicine. The model is an alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing. This activity provides an overview of the direct primary care model and key characteristics of the model.
Family Physician : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/delivery-payment-models/direct-primary-care/dpc-toolkit-overview.html
Is Direct Primary Care the Solution to Our Health Care Crisis? -- FPM
Oct 1, 2016 - While attempting to solve one problem, DPC may be exacerbating other serious problems in our health care system.
Family Practice Management : Opinion
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2016/0900/p10.html
In Defense of Direct Primary Care -- FPM
Oct 1, 2016 - Direct primary care will continue to grow because it empowers price transparency, quality, and patient satisfaction.
Family Practice Management : Opinion
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2016/0900/p12.html
Direct Primary Care Regulatory and Legal Impacts Toolkit
The direct primary care (DPC) model is an attractive option for family physicians who want to practice comprehensive, patient-centered family medicine. However, there are several significant regulatory and legal requirements you need to be aware of when practicing in a DPC model.
Family Physician : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/delivery-payment-models/direct-primary-care/dpc-toolkit-regulatory-legal-impacts.html
Direct Primary Care Business Planning Toolkit
A well-written business plan for family physicians' direct primary care (DPC) practice is one of the most important steps to position a new family medicine business for success. This course helps family physicians determine the initial steps to establish and launch a new DPC practice.
Family Physician : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/delivery-payment-models/direct-primary-care/dpc-toolkit-business-planning.html
Direct Primary Care Toolkit Starter Pack
Family physicians can use this direct primary care (DPC) toolkit starter pack to learn how to set up their new practice for success.
Family Physician : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/delivery-payment-models/direct-primary-care/dpc-toolkit-starter-pack.html
Direct Primary Care Marketing and Patient Engagement Toolkit
The direct primary care (DPC) model has significant benefits for both the family physician and the patient. It is important to effectively and clearly explain the value you are providing. Having an effective marketing strategy will be a key to your success.
Family Physician : Practice and Career
https://www.aafp.org/family-physician/practice-and-career/delivery-payment-models/direct-primary-care/dpc-toolkit-marketing-patient-engagement.html
Considering DPC? These resources can help
Transitioning to direct primary care is a major change, but there are several places to get helpful information.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/dpc_resources.html
Direct Primary Care Was the Change She Needed
DPC Summit speaker Jennifer Harader says changing to direct primary care increased her scope of practice, improved her work-life balance and saved her career.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20210706fdf-harader.html
Building a Direct Primary Care Practice
After more than eight years in the fee-for-service world, Jeffrey Gold, M.D., needed a change. He found a model that "makes sense" in direct primary care.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20180709fdf-gold.html
Academy Praises Bill Lowering Direct Primary Care Barrier
The Academy recently applauded legislation that would revise the federal tax code to allow health savings account funds to be applied to direct primary care fees.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20190826pceact.html
DPC Was His Solution for Affordable, Full-scope Care
Nicholas Tomsen, M.D., was determined to use the full scope of his training, including obstetrics. He's doing it all in direct primary care.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20200629fdf-tomsen.html
DPC Doc Shares Vision in State Leadership Role
Molly Rutherford, M.D., M.P.H., combined addiction medicine and direct primary care in one practice. Now Rutherford, the Kentucky AFP's Board chair, is letting others know her model works.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190923fdf-rutherford.html
DPC and COVID: Looking Back as We Move Forward
The COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over, but as we ease back into the pre-pandemic rhythm of working, seeing family and cautiously exploring public spaces, it seems only natural to take a step back and reflect on what the past year and a half have brought us. In this Fresh Perspectives blog ...
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20210722fp-dpccovid.html
House Calls - American Family Physician
Aug 15, 2020 - The demand for house calls is increasing because of the aging U.S. population, an increase in patients who are homebound, and the acknowledgment of the value of house calls by the public and health care industry. Literature from current U.S. home-based primary care programs describes ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/0815/p211.html
AAFP Backgrounder: Direct Primary Care
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) supports the physician and patient choice to provide and receive health care in any ethical health care delivery system model, including the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model.
Advocacy
https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/payment/dpc/BKG-DPC.pdf
Transitioning to Direct Primary Care -- FPM
Aug 1, 2020 - Imagine practicing medicine without all the administrative burdens related to billing insurance. Here’s how one physician made the switch.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p29.html
Outpatient Management of COVID-19: Rapid Evidence Review - American Family Physician
Oct 15, 2020 - Common presenting symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 include fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue. However, patients may have a wide range of symptoms representing a spectrum of mild to severe illness. Symptoms in children tend to be milder and may include fever, cough, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1015/p478.html
End-of-Life Care: Managing Common Symptoms - American Family Physician
Mar 15, 2017 - Physicians should be proficient at managing symptoms as patients progress through the dying process. When possible, proactive regimens that prevent symptoms should be used, because it is generally easier to prevent than to treat an acute symptom. As swallowing function diminishes, ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2017/0315/p356.html
Topic Collections -- FPM
Nov 9, 2021 - FPM editors' choice of best available content for family physicians.
Family Practice Management : Topic Collections
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/topicModules/viewAll.htm
Practice Transformation: Taking the Direct Primary Care Route -- FPM
Jun 1, 2014 - This practice cured its insurance headaches by switching to a cash-only payment model and charging annual retainer fees.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2014/0500/p10.html
Career Options -- FPM Topic Collection
May 11, 2021 - Family medicine may be a single specialty, but it comes in almost as many Family medicine may be a single specialty, but it comes in almost as many flavors as there are family physicians. This collection of articles is designed to display a variety of flavors of practice and give you a ...
- Job Hunting
- Leadership Development
- Alternative Practice Options
- Other Practice Options
- Leaving Practice
- Scope of Practice
- Other Resources
Family Practice Management : Topic Collections
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=46
Childhood Bullying: Implications for Physicians - American Family Physician
Feb 1, 2018 - Childhood bullying is common and can lead to serious adverse physical and mental health effects for both the victim and the bully. In teenagers, risk factors for becoming a victim of bullying include being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender; having a disability or medical condition ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0201/p187.html
AAFP Comments on IRS Proposed Rule on Direct Primary Care Arrangements - August 10, 2020
...medical care arrangements including direct primary care arrangements, as published by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the June 10, 2020 Federal Register. The IRS proposed rule would treat expenses related to direct primary care (DPC) arrangements as eligible medical expenses...
Advocacy
https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/payment/dpc/LT-IRS-ProposedDPCRule-081020.pdf
AAFP Offers Senate Suggestions for Improved Primary Care
The AAFP recently advised a Senate committee to support work on advanced primary care, social determinants of health, direct primary care and CMS' Independence at Home demonstration project.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20181210senatetestimony.html
FP Is Taking a Direct Approach to Making Things Better
Allison Edwards, M.D., isn't shy about sharing her opinion when things need improvement. At two upcoming AAFP events, she'll share her perspective as a direct primary care practice owner.
AAFP News : Family Doc Focus
https://www.aafp.org/news/family-doc-focus/20190415fdf-edwards.html
Solo Practice: Can It Survive? -- FPM
Jun 1, 2014 - The environment is tougher than ever. Proactive revenue management and direct pay models provide opportunities for small practices
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2014/0500/p4.html
CMS Considers New Direct Provider Contracting Model
The AAFP took advantage of CMS' request for information on a proposed new payment model to highlight the benefits of direct primary care and the Academy's own alternative payment model.
AAFP News : Advocacy and Government
https://www.aafp.org/news/government-medicine/20180611dpcrfi.html
It Started With One Question: What Is High-value Care?
Health policy wonk Kyle Leggott, M.D., and direct primary care physician Allison Edwards, M.D., debate the flaws and potential fixes of our health care system in this wide-ranging QandA.
AAFP News : Blogs
https://www.aafp.org/news/blogs/freshperspectives/entry/20191008fp-highvaluecare.html
AAFP Letter of Support to House on the Primary Care Enhancement Act - July 12, 2021
The AAFP supports direct primary care (DPC) and believes health savings accounts (HSAs) funds should be able to be used to pay for participation in a DPC practice. The AAFP endorsed the Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2021 (H.R. 4301 and S.128) to do this.
Advocacy
https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/payment/dpc/LT-House-PrimaryCareEnhancementAct-071221.pdf
AAFP Letter of Support to Senate on the Primary Care Enhancement Act - July 12, 2021
The AAFP supports direct primary care (DPC) and believes health savings accounts (HSAs) funds should be able to be used to pay for participation in a DPC practice. The AAFP endorsed the Primary Care Enhancement Act of 2021 (H.R. 4301 and S.128) to do this.
Advocacy
https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/payment/dpc/LT-Senate-PrimaryCareEnhancementAct-071221.pdf
Life After Residency: Exploring Practice Options in Family Medicine -- FPM
Oct 1, 2021 - Your options are limitless, so start your job search with a clear understanding of your personal and professional interests.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2021/0900/p30.html
AAFP Letter to CMS on Surprise Billing Regulations Pt II - December 3, 2021
The AAFP urges CMS to minimize administrative burdens from surprise billing regulations on primary care practices, which are typically in-network physicians. One new requirement will be unnecessarily burdensome and duplicative for DPC practices.
Advocacy
https://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/advocacy/payment/dpc/LT-CMS-SurpriseBillingPart2-120321.pdf
Transitioning to Direct Primary Care
...Transitioning to Direct Primary Care Imagine practicing medicine without all the administrative burdens related to billing insurance. Here’s how one physician made the switch. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Kauffman is the founder of Hickory Medical Direct Primary Care in Bellefontaine,...
Family Practice Management
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/fpm20200700p29.pdf
What Millennials Want Out of Primary Care, and How to Deliver It -- FPM
Jun 1, 2021 - As the largest adult generation in the U.S., millennials will have an outsized impact on the future of health care. Here are some ways to make primary care more appealing to all patients, including the first group raised with the internet.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2021/0500/p29.html
Employment and Contract Considerations for Family Physicians in the Era of COVID-19 -- FPM
Feb 1, 2021 - Family physicians may encounter unfamiliar employment challenges in the short-term, but long-term job prospects remain promising.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2021/0100/p11.html
Ten Tips for Cultivating Patience During Uncertain Times -- FPM
Aug 1, 2020 - It’s easy to feel impatient with ourselves and others these days. But research suggests impatience can be bad for our health. Here’s a better way to respond.
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p43.html
Would Medicare for All Be the Most Beneficial Health Care System for Family Physicians ...
Oct 1, 2020 - Expansion of Medicare or private insurance would not address the deeper problems in our health care system.
American Family Physician : Editorials: Controversies in Family Medicine
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2020/1001/p392.html
Understanding Value-Based Payment: A Primer for Family Physicians -- FPM
Aug 1, 2020 - Public and private payers are transitioning away from fee-for-service and emphasizing value-based payment models. This supplement from the American Academy of Family Physicians describes what you need to know about the transition and how it may affect you and your practice.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p25.html
The Right-Sized Patient Panel: A Practical Way to Make Adjustments for Acuity and ...
Dec 1, 2019 - Do you have the right number of patients on your panel? Here’s a process and a spreadsheet for calculating and adjusting your panel based on actual patient behavior.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p23.html
Primary Care of Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer - American Family Physician
May 15, 2010 - There are approximately 300,000 survivors of childhood cancer in the United States, and most of them receive their medical care from primary care physicians. Adult survivors of childhood cancer are at considerable risk of long-term morbidity and mortality beyond the recurrence of their ...
American Family Physician : Article
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2010/0515/p1250.html
Physician Burnout: Its Origin, Symptoms, and Five Main Causes -- FPM
Oct 1, 2015 - Burnout is everywhere, buy you can't fight an enemy unless you recognize it.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2015/0900/p42.html
Practical Strategies to Achieve Your Health Policy Goals -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - As a physician, you can have a powerful voice in bringing about change in your community. Here’s how to go about it.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p20.html
How to Excel at Access -- and Why It Matters -- FPM
Oct 1, 2018 - Patients do better and cost less when they have ready access to primary care, but could your practice be thinking about access all wrong?
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2018/0900/p27.html