As retainer-based practices begin to take center stage in this phase of American healthcare, more comprehensive iterations of direct primary care are popping up.
From chronic care management programs to affordable lab tests in DPC, retainer-based medicine arrangements are constantly looking for ways to add further value to the patient experience.
On that note, many practices are integrating direct primary care labs and testing in their private clinics. Is this merely a healthcare trend or something that deserves to be a staple in any DPC or concierge medicine practice?
In this blog post, we explore the benefits of offering these comprehensive services in membership-based practices like DPC and concierge medicine.
DPC lab testing, otherwise referred to as direct primary care labs, is the ability of a membership-based medicine practice to perform various tests and analyses within their own facility, rather than sending samples to an external laboratory.
This can include everything from basic blood work and urinalyses to more advanced tests like molecular diagnostics and genetic analysis.
By having these capabilities in-house, onsite labs in direct primary care can streamline their clinic operations, reduce turnaround times, and improve patient outcomes.
For patients, direct primary care labs offer several advantages:
For instance, on-site DPC lab testing for diabetes management begins with simple bloodwork. One blood test can diagnose diabetes or pre-diabetes in a patient.
For practices without DPC lab testing, patients are often referred to external third-party lab services which often cost more and results take much longer.
These costs can be a significant burden for patients, especially those with high-deductible health plans or no insurance at all. In many cases, patients may delay or sit out necessary testing due to the high costs involved.
Here are just a few examples of the costs associated with third-party lab services:
On the flip side, affordable lab tests in DPC eliminate third-party markups, saving patients up to 50% on routine screenings.
The same basic blood work-up in DPC lab testing can cost only $20-$50. A urine analysis in direct primary care labs clocks in at around $10-$20 only.
Read More About: How DPC Can Help With Lab Services
Patients who are managing chronic conditions have much to gain from on-site labs in direct primary care. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than half of all adults in the US are living with at least one chronic condition.
The CDC study reveals that chronic diseases account for 90% of the nation's $3.5 trillion annual healthcare spending, with costs projected to reach $5.7 trillion by 2030.
That being said, these costs are largely because chronic conditions require a comprehensive approach, including regular lab tests and personalized treatment plans to manage disease progression accordingly.
Case in point, a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association shows “early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes can reduce the risk of complications, such as kidney disease and vision loss”.
Affordable lab tests in DPC are a critical first step in the multi-faceted process of chronic care management.
Without point-of-care testing for diagnosis, DPC physicians cannot move forward with medication management, coordination of care, and regular health monitoring.
Moreover, having regularly updated lab results allows physicians to adjust medication dosages, dietary plans, and lifestyle recommendations to optimize patient outcomes.
DPC lab testing for medical decision-making is a critical tool for physicians to ensure accurate diagnosis, streamlined care across specializations, and better patient management.
It gives physicians the privilege to extend an added layer of premium care to their patients. On-site labs in direct primary care offer a slew of benefits such as:
This is especially useful for patients in chronic care management.
Direct primary care labs may offer a range of tests depending on their specific equipment and expertise. Whether included in a membership or as an add-on service, many direct primary care practices offer the following on-site laboratory services:
If you are a doctor who is interested in offering personalized DPC lab testing, here are some important considerations to keep in mind:
Setting up on-site labs in direct primary care requires significant upfront investment, as well as periodic maintenance and upgrade expenses down the line. These expenses include:
Initial Start-up Costs
Equipment and Supplies
Staffing and Training
Quality Control and Assurance
Certification and Accreditation:
Ongoing Expenses:
While the advantages of on-site laboratory services in DPC are undeniable, the upfront investment can be a lot to take on for doctors. There are various ways to minimize the costs of implementing on-site labs in direct primary care, such as:
As this is considered a major addition in any DPC practice, the implementation of on-site laboratory services should be in sync with the staff you have on board as well as the clinic operations they carry out.
Are your existing staff willing and able to be trained to take on these additional duties? What kind and how many additional staff will you need to hire to ensure on-site laboratory services within your practice are smooth and seamless?
On-site labs in direct primary care must ensure that they are adhering to regulatory compliance within their jurisdiction.
There is no doubt investing time, effort, and resources into on-site labs in direct primary care offer long-term, valuable returns.
For patients, having on-site labs in direct primary care offer great convenience, better health outcomes, and quality clinic experiences on their end.
As for doctors, having point-of-care testing for diagnosis, improved medical decision making, and proactive care can do wonders for their DPC practice.
It is a significant step towards realizing high-value personalized medicine models in American healthcare.
