Wayland, Mass.-based MedFirst Partners announced the opening of Marblehead, Mass.-based Gold Direct Care, one of the first direct primary care practices in Massachusetts, according to Marketwired.
The single-physician practice, Gold Direct Care, will provide membership-style access to primary care with a flat fee. Jeffrey S. Gold, MD, signed an agreement with MedFirst Partners, which helps physicians convert practices to the direct primary care model.
The office will not accept health insurance. Instead, it will offer unlimited, same-day appointments and 24/7 email and cell phone access for a monthly fee of $30-$125, according to the report.
By cutting out insurance and providing in-house services, the approach lowers costs for tests, labs and ancillary services, according to the report. A cholesterol test typically costing $90 with a traditional insurance plan can cost just $3, according to the report.
Gold Direct Care can only provide primary care. Dr. Gold recommended supplemental insurance for other medical needs and emergencies, according to the report.
About 4,400 physicians participate in the direct primary care model in the U.S.
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