A chronic autoimmune condition called psoriasis causes your skin to develop scaling, inflammation, redness, and itching due to the rapid growth of skin cells. Most commonly, psoriasis affects your elbows, knees, scalp, and trunk, but it can also affect your nails, mouth, and joints, causing pain and discomfort. It is not contagious, but it can have a significant effect both physically and emotionally.
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are treatments that can manage its symptoms and prevent complications. However, if you rely on traditional health insurance, finding the right treatment can be challenging. Your access to care may be limited by high deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and prior authorization requirements. There may also be long wait times, rushed appointments, and limited communication with your primary care provider.
In case you suffer from psoriasis, you have an alternative option: direct primary care (DPC). In exchange for a monthly or annual fee, primary care physicians are able to provide their services directly to their patients, without an insurance company in the middle. Additionally, the fee covers consultations, exams, care coordination, and some lab services, in addition to unlimited access to your primary care provider.
There are fewer patients in DPC practices than in traditional practices, which means you can get longer and more frequent appointments with your doctor. You can contact your provider by phone, email, or video chat at any time, without additional fees, to discuss your psoriasis in detail, ask questions, and receive personalized advice.
Because DPC practices do not bill insurance companies for their services, they can offer lower prices for their services and avoid administrative hassles. In addition to saving money on out-of-pocket costs, you can also save money on primary care visits, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. It is also possible to get discounts on medications, lab tests, and imaging services through DPC practices, so you can afford your psoriasis treatments.
The DPC practice can coordinate your care with other specialists and providers, such as dermatologists, rheumatologists, and pharmacists, in addition to assisting you in navigating the insurance system and advocating for your needs. In addition to obtaining authorization from your insurance company, your DPC provider can help you find the best price for biologic medications for psoriasis.
By providing continuous and comprehensive care to patients with psoriasis, DPC practices can help them achieve better outcomes. As well as monitoring your condition, adjusting your treatment plan, and preventing complications, they can also help you address the underlying causes and triggers of your psoriasis, such as stress, infection, and lifestyle factors. You can reduce the severity and frequency of your psoriasis flare-ups by improving your overall health and wellness.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to psoriasis, as you know if you have it. DPC can provide you with a personalized approach to managing your psoriasis, depending on its type, severity, location, and response to treatment. As a result of your medical history, symptoms, goals, and lifestyle, DPC practices can tailor your psoriasis treatment to meet your specific needs and preferences. Additionally, they can provide you with education, support, and resources to help you cope with psoriasis.
DPC recognizes this and treats you as a whole person, not just a patient with a skin condition. By choosing DPC, you can get the care you deserve for your psoriasis and enjoy the benefits of a direct and lasting relationship with your primary care provider.
As the famous dermatologist Dr. Paul Gerson Unna once said,
“Psoriasis is not a disease of the skin, but a disease of the individual.”
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