today I am asking “Is DPC becoming mainstream now? Are we coming out of the closet? There’s an AP news article about DPC that has been floating around social media of late. Some really great DPC docs quotes in the article: Dr. Wendy Molaska, Dr. Lee Gross, and even DPC researcher Ms. Gayle Brekke are mentioned. Yes, there are naysayers mentioned too using the same old tired arguments against DPC but their voices are getting drowned out more and more. Nice work everyone. Keep up the good fight as we are helping so many patients in need. Find the article here
Dr. Purcell is board certified family physician working in Anderson, SC. He received his medical degree from Mercer University in Macon, GA and completed family medicine residency at AnMed Health in Anderson, SC.
After completing his residency, Dr. Purcell worked in a private group practice for 3 years before opening his own cash-only primary care clinic in 2005. As he built his cash-only clinic, he was also working part-time in a local urgent care facility. In 2008, he purchased a dormant medical clinic on the “wrong side of the tracks” and opened an urgent care and primary care clinic. After gaining his freedom from third-party captives, Dr. Purcell and a colleague formed the first direct primary care clinic in Anderson County in 2015. In 2019, he transitioned to full-time direct primary care and sold his urgent care. The direct primary care model has brought about a restoration of a relationship with patients broken by third-party middlemen. Now, he can offer more access and more of his time to patients. Dr. Purcell firmly believes that the direct primary care model is the last hope for health care in America.
Dr. Purcell is an active member of several medical organizations including the DPC Alliance, Free Market Medical Association, and American Academy of Family Physicians. He is the former Chair of the Direct Primary Care Member Interest Group for the AAFP and a founding member of the DPC Alliance and the Carolina’s Free Market Medical Association. He was elected to the Advisory Committee for the DPC Alliance in the Fall of 2018 and completed his term in 2021.
Dr. Purcell is the author of Magic, Pixie Dust, and Miracles: A Guide to Direct Primary Care and Employers which shares how to connect DPC with employers of all sizes. He has spoken about this topic and DPC in general at the DPC Summit, DPC Nuts and Bolts conference, Hint Summit, AAFP FMX, Carolina’s Free Market Medical Association, TedexFurman, and DPC Alliance Mastermind sessions. He continues to speak to residents and student groups about DPC as well.
2 thoughts on “Is DPC Becoming Mainstream Now?”
Great article but there is a statement about the limitations of DPC that I pointed out in the comments on LinkedIn. We need to emphasize that DPC is not only valuable for people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford insurance. DPC is also valuable for insured patients who are seeking access to their docs but can’t afford typical concierge prices. If the public is viewing this article we want them to see the broader appeal of direct primary care.
DPC will not work everywhere. If there is a a lot of public aid or employer provided insurance/health plans forget it. If the established mentality is why pay for it if they can get it for “free”. One needs to choose their geographical location carefully or they will go bust.
Great article but there is a statement about the limitations of DPC that I pointed out in the comments on LinkedIn. We need to emphasize that DPC is not only valuable for people who make too much to qualify for Medicaid but can’t afford insurance. DPC is also valuable for insured patients who are seeking access to their docs but can’t afford typical concierge prices. If the public is viewing this article we want them to see the broader appeal of direct primary care.
DPC will not work everywhere. If there is a a lot of public aid or employer provided insurance/health plans forget it. If the established mentality is why pay for it if they can get it for “free”. One needs to choose their geographical location carefully or they will go bust.