Flexible & Functional: Flex Family Health Direct Primary Care
October 1, 2019 | by anna rogers | photos by jana graham photography
If there’s one thing families need to function, it’s flexibility. Things don’t always (or maybe rarely) go as planned – schedules conflict, lunches are forgotten, accidents happen, and budgets are broken to meet emergent or necessary needs. With all the flexibility required to manage and thrive within a family, wouldn’t it be great if healthcare was flexible too?
Flex Family Health Direct Primary Care in Billings is doing just that, and it’s the first of its kind in Yellowstone County.
After almost ten years working in healthcare as a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner, Cole Whitmoyer, DNP, FNP-BC, knew he wanted to open up a direct primary care practice. His motivation was to cut back on the extra work required in the healthcare industry that takes away from time with patients. The vision for Flex Family Health was to offer the Billings community more freedom and dedicated care.
How does it work?
Flex Family Health offers membership-based primary healthcare services, caring for patients aged 2 to 99. The set-up is innovative, transparent, and affordable. For a small monthly fee, members have complete access to a primary care provider. This access includes unlimited and extended office visits, 24/7 access via calls, text, email, and video, and an annual routine lab draw. Membership also features discounted diagnostic labs, imaging services, and coordinated referrals to specialists when needed.
The Benefits
The direct primary care model offers patients incredible accessibility to the care they need when they need it. "People are often surprised that when they call, I'm the one who picks up the phone," Cole says. His goal is to connect with patients on a much deeper level than is possible with the current healthcare delivery system.
This accessibility gives families the flexibility to access care in ways that meet busy schedules and emergent needs. It also offers peace of mind during late nights and weekends when patients are unsure if their pain or sickness warrants an emergency visit.
On top of the great accessibility Flex Family Health provides, their services are affordable – taking insurance out of the equation and creating cost-savings for their patients.
“What’s the Catch?”
Since opening their doors on April 1, 2019, many patients and prospective patients have been amazed by this innovative approach to primary care. Cole hears the question a lot – "What's the catch?"
The good news? There isn’t one. This direct primary care style of healthcare is simply that – direct, simple, and transparent.
“You’re getting a provider who knows you and your history and is able to provide dedicated care – someone you can pick up the phone and call or text.” It’s refreshing, isn’t it?
Is it for me?
Even for individuals who have health insurance, Flex Family Health is a perfect fit. Insurance covers big, unexpected costs, but often not the routine, preventative care needed to keep your body healthy. In addition, patients get more time, more access, and a personalized relationship and care plan with the same provider.
Flex Family Health offers this checklist on their website for those considering direct primary care in Billings:
- “Do you like saving money (particularly on your healthcare)?
- Do you like seeing the same provider for your healthcare needs every visit?
- Do you like having a relationship with your provider and knowing that they are dedicated to YOU?
- Do you like short waiting room times, and longer visit times with your provider?
- Do you like the thought of having a healthcare provider to call or text on the weekend when the dreaded flu bug or ear infection hits?
If you answered "yes" to any (or all!) of these questions, then Flex Family Health just might be a great fit for you.”
Learn more about Flex Family Health at flexfamilyhealth.com.
Originally printed in the October 2019 issue of Simply Family Magazine
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