We believe there’s nothing more frustrating than needing medical care and not knowing what you’ll be expected to pay for treatment. If you don’t have health insurance, every penny counts. If your insurance plan has a high deductible, sometimes it feels like you might as well have no coverage at all. What Are the Patient Benefits of a Direct-Care Model?
Obviously, cost transparency is the primary benefit of a direct-care model. Our office has clear, upfront pricing. This transparency allows you to know the exact cost of a podiatrist visit beforehand instead of waiting until a surprise bill comes in the mail and you’re forced to completely revamp your budget for the month.
Beyond cost transparency, here are some additional benefits of the direct-pay approach:
- Affordability. As a direct-pay practice, we can offer lower prices than traditional insurance-based podiatry offices. This is because we don't have the administrative overhead associated with processing insurance claims.
- Quality of care. Without the constraints and paperwork of insurance companies, we can spend more time with each patient. Dr. Foster chose a career in podiatry so he could help people—and the direct-pay model lets him provide the personalized and thorough care you deserve.
- Accessibility and convenience. We can offer more flexible scheduling options or same-day appointments since we are not as bogged down by insurance protocols and unnecessary paperwork.
Why Is Podiatry Care a Smart Long-Term Investment?
When you’re working with a tight budget, it’s understandable to find yourself questioning whether or not a visit to the podiatry is worth the expense. However, your feet play a vital role in your day-to-day life. Do you really want to risk foot pain that limits your ability to stand, walk, or run? Podiatric care lets you go to work, spend time with your family, exercise, and enjoy your favorite activities without pain.
In addition to addressing foot pain that negatively affects your quality of life, visits to an affordable podiatrist like Dr. Joel Foster can:
- Prevent future foot problems. Regular podiatry check-ups can help in the early detection and treatment of foot conditions before they become more serious. This includes identifying potential problems like hammer toes or early signs of arthritis.
- Manage chronic conditions. For people with chronic conditions like diabetes, arthritis, or circulatory issues, foot care is vital. Podiatrists play a key role in managing these conditions, particularly in preventing dangerous complications such as diabetic foot ulcers.
- Correct foot deformities. For children with foot deformities, early intervention ensures the best possible quality of life. This can include non-invasive treatments or, in some cases, corrective surgery.
- Promote overall health. Your feet are the foundation of your body. Maintaining their health can even alleviate discomfort in other parts of the body like the hips, knees, and back. Many of the aches and pains the general public claims are the result of “getting old” are actually correctable issues associated with misaligned feet.
- Save you money over time. Investing in preventive podiatric care can save you money in the long run by avoiding the need for more expensive treatments, surgeries, or long-term medications that might be required to address more advanced foot problems.
