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Nix the copay: Doctor-owned practice skips insurance

Some doctors in Colorado are opening their own practice to spend more time with patients and skip the insurance process.
Todd Lentz shows 9NEWS the newly opened Direct Family Care of Northern Colorado.

Some doctors in Colorado are putting the "care" back in medical care.

They're opening their own practice and skipping the insurance process.

Dr. Jennifer Lentz opened Direct Family Care of Northern Colorado on Jan. 2. She's putting a big focus on patient/doctor relationships while putting a focus on her own family.

"Here we could spend a whole hour with patients," Dr. Lentz said.

Patients can call her, send her a text message and not have to pay a copay.

Kind of like a gym membership, patients pay once a month.

Here's an example of pricing from the Direct Family Care of Northern Colorado website:

  • $30 for patients 20 years of age and under OR $10 for patients 20 years of age and under with an adult family member-patient of Direct Family Care
  • $40 per month for patients ages 21-44 years
  • $60 per month for patients ages 45-64
  • $80 per month for patients ages 65-89
  • $10 per month for patients 90+ (limited availability)

Dr. Lentz still recommends you keep your insurance in case of emergencies.

"If something happens and you end up in the hospital, you'll need that because I can't always do everything," she said.

Although she cannot perform surgeries, she provides pediatric care and can handle some medical emergencies like stitches.

"If there is a weekend when I'm in town," she said. "I will come in."

Direct Family Care also dispenses medications for wholesale prices which could save patients some money.

These kinds of clinics are not regulated by the division of insurance in Colorado.

Click here for a map of Direct Family Care clinics in Colorado.

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