Petersburg’s hospital launched a subscription-based healthcare program on July 1. The Direct Primary Care program gives members access to primary care services for a monthly fee — $125 for adults, and $80 for kids.
“It’s a flat monthly rate,” explained Joy Janssen Clinic Director Kelly Zweifel. “It provides services like routine checkups, chronic care management, basic labs, and so it’s access to primary care.”
Members can come in as many times as they need for almost all included services, which include sports physicals, simple stitches, and skin tag removals. Preventative lab tests are offered annually.
Petersburg Medical Center CEO Phil Hofstetter said that when the hospital conducted its last community needs assessment, they learned that many patients who access primary care are opting to self-pay — an indicator they likely don’t have insurance, or have high deductibles. Those same patients also weren’t coming back regularly. The Direct Primary Care program is meant to remove those barriers to care.
Hofstetter said the program won’t put Direct Primary Care patients at the front of the line when they make an appointment. Instead, it’s meant to make the process more convenient.
“You don’t have to deal with copays. You don’t have to submit insurance claims,” he said. “You don’t have to worry about all the things that make the insurance world such a pain in the butt.”
He said the hospital has the resources to support more primary care visits, and it’s easier on patients and staff when they can catch problems early.
“The idea is, we have capacity and we want to increase our utilization,” he said.
The program only covers primary care services, and does not cover major medical events or specialty care. The subscription does not cover ER visits, hospital stays, X-rays, or medication. Patients who are on Medicaid or Medicare are also ineligible.
Hofstetter said those limitations are set by the state law that originally approved subscription-based healthcare models in Alaska.
The Petersburg Medical Center emphasized that Direct Primary Care is not an insurance plan, and recommends members have their own insurance to cover major medical expenses.
If you have questions about the program — and what is and isn’t covered — you can contact the clinic at 907-772-4299.
