GoodMed Direct Primary Care has opened at 6553 California Ave SW. They say you can drop in without an appointment for a range of medical services.

. As part of the growing direct primary care movement, GoodMed Direct Primary Care uses a membership structure to provide more comprehensive care at a lower cost, without the headache of traditional insurance.

Dr. Ryan Campbell, along with fellow naturopathic provider Dr. Wendy Hueners, were inspired to open a direct primary care practice after growing frustrated with the current insurance-based medical system. “I was finding it increasingly difficult and costly to provide the best care for my patients due to hurdles and road blocks related to the insurance billing process,” Dr. Campbell said. “Direct primary care removes the insurance company from the equation so I can focus on actually treating my patients.”

Direct primary care is growing rapidly. The Heritage Foundation estimates that there were more than 5,500 direct primary care practices nationwide in 2014, up from just 756 in 2010. Like other DPC practices, GoodMed Direct Primary Care charges patients a monthly fee ranging from $10 to $100 that covers all visits, preventive screenings, and other services. Labs and more advanced tests are offered to patients at a discounted rate.

Although patients are encouraged to keep a low-cost wraparound insurance plan to cover emergency services or surgery, their membership fee would replace a large portion of their monthly insurance premiums, as well as their co-pays and deductibles. This model enables substantial savings on the patient side since the costly insurance middleman is completely removed.