Our President & Founder, Dr. Roger Moczygemba, a dedicated physician with a passion for enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability, recently participated in an in-person meeting organized by the San Antonio Free Market Medical Association titled “How Technology is Powering the Free Market.” During this event, he shared his insights on the future of healthcare and the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement with Zak Holdsworth, the CEO of Hint Health.
The Value of Direct Primary Care
A key takeaway from their discussion emphasized the value of ad hoc initiatives and the necessity to scale up Direct Primary Care (DPC) for more seamless specialist interaction. It was discussed that many DPC physicians establish local networks with specialists to negotiate cash rates for imaging and lab services, bypassing insurance copays. The conversation also highlighted the need for more structured integration of direct specialty care with DPC, to scale it and foster connections with local direct care specialists.
The potential for the reality of socialized medicine was also addressed, considering its growing congressional support. Though Dr. Moczygemba is not presently focusing on DPC regulatory issues, he advocates for lobbying efforts that aim to protect the lessons learned from thousands of doctors if a shift toward socialized medicine takes place, potentially shaping this change to minimize the impact on existing structures.
The Challenges of Direct Primary Care
In addition, Dr. Moczygemba and Zak Holdsworth discussed the slow growth of the Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) healthcare movement despite patient satisfaction. Many patients appreciate the notion of a membership that enables them to access a doctor for a simple monthly fee. Yet, the challenge lies in communicating this concept to larger groups or employers due to the intricate nature of the healthcare system and people’s psychological attachment to the existing healthcare business model.
As an entrepreneurial immigrant who uses technology to promote transparency and boost the DPC movement, Zak Holdsworth believes in small gradual improvements, which can create substantial impact over time. He sees the DPC movement as a crucial component of innovation needed to rectify the underperforming US healthcare system.
The Future of DPC
It’s noteworthy that DPC costs have been decreasing while traditional healthcare costs have been on the rise over the past decade. DPC clinics have also continued to expand even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, with more employers starting to cover DPC services. Despite its slow progress, Dr. Moczygemba and Zak Holdsworth are confident that the DPC movement will ultimately triumph. He underscores the importance of maintaining dialogue with employers, even if it takes time to manifest results.
Dr. Moczygemba’s and Zak’s fervor for direct patient care emanates from the success stories he has witnessed throughout his career. A notable instance was his swift intervention for a new patient with a dangerous diabetic condition, where he could deliver critical care at a minimal cost. This close interaction, both during the hospital stay and afterward, led to the patient’s transformation into a stable, low-risk diabetic.
They envision a future where an ecosystem of affordable and transparently priced healthcare solutions is rooted in Direct Primary Care. His ultimate objective is to design a healthcare system that benefits patients, providers, and doctors. With initiatives like the Free Market Medical Association and Hint Connect, he is hopeful that this vision can be realized to better healthcare for everyone.
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