Local Clinic Practices New Style of Medicine
Direct Patient Care (DPC) is a new type of medicine in which patients, many without insurance, can pay a monthly rate in exchange for primary care service. The small community of Collinsville now has this new type of medical practice.
Valley Care DPC is Dr. Frances Koe’s clinic. Open full-time since Jan. 3, 2018, this clinic is the newest venture of Dr. Koe. DPC patients pay a $50 monthly fee to gain access to as many appointments with the doctor as needed.
These appointments are different than the in-and-out of a typical doctor’s appointment. “They walk in the door, and no one is in the waiting room but them. They are seen in five minutes,” Dr. Koe explained. She also takes her time to discuss problems thoroughly with patients. “They get an hour if they need me.”
In today’s world of fast medicine, Valley Care DPC values one-to-one interaction and quality service. Some of the benefits of DPC include inexpensive outpatient labs and medications dispensed at the clinic at an affordable price.
Dr. Koe focuses on prevention and lifestyle changes at her clinic. “I try to focus on the whole patient and everything that’s going on,” she said. In this way, Dr. Koe said she can help patients dramatically lower their dosages of medicines, as well as manage chronic illnesses.
Also included free to every DPC patient are weekly Ketogenic diet classes. This diet is focused on low carbohydrates and high healthy fats.
In her clinic, patients say they appreciate the quality of service. As I have been shadowing patient appointments at Valley Care DPC this summer, patients have frequently commented on the quality of care and the time each patient receives with the doctor.
So why Collinsville for this type of medicine? Dr. Koe explained, “I went to 12 schools in 12 years, and I always liked the country towns over the big towns. Life is a whole lot quieter and slower here.”
As for the future, Dr. Koe said she continues to look for opportunities to combine her interest in farming with her medical practice. She said she hopes to teach people ways to eat healthier by growing food in their own yards.
Dr. Koe added that she also intends to make her personal farm a teaching farm one day. Dr. Koe would like to hold classes at her farm open to patients at the clinic. By doing this, Dr. Koe said she can encourage patients to grow their own herbs and vegetables for medicinal and health use.
This new style of medical practice is gaining momentum all over the country. With the ever-increasing costs of medical care, Valley Care DPC seems to be ahead of the curve.
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