Why I decided to switch to Direct Primary Care

I love caring for my patients.

Unfortunately, as the landscape of medicine changed over the last decade, I have been spending more and more of my time jumping through hoops for insurance companies rather than caring for my patients. An average workday brings four to seven hours of paperwork, cutting into my time with each patient, my time with my family, and my ability to care for my own health.

It is not uncommon for me to be working past 10 p.m. on paperwork, and that daily grind was quickly leading to burnout. I knew that in order to continue caring for my patients, I needed to make a change.

What Direct Primary Care will let me do

With a Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, I can simply give my patients better care — saving them time and often money in the process. It will free me up to give more immediate care when necessary and to take the time to truly address health concerns with unrushed visits. Patients want to be seen quickly when there’s a problem. However, with the patient loads I’ve been carrying I haven’t been able to consistently offer that level of access.

DPC provides visits free from copays or deductibles and access to deeply discounted labs and medications — all without insurance hassles! These changes will help me protect the health of my patients by preventing problems before they start.

Making the change

With the transition to a DPC model, my patients will pay a simple monthly membership — $100 for an individual, $175 for a couple, with family options — and that will cover all of their primary care with me. No copays. No surprise bills.

Through the end of 2026, I’ll continue to see my current patients and bill insurance the way I always have. Starting in 2027, I will only practice under the DPC membership model.

A note to my current patients

If you have been coming to me for years, thank you. The hardest part of this decision was the knowledge that some of you won’t come with me. I want you to know that I considered every option, and I am convinced this is the best path forward.

Direct Primary Care only works when each physician’s patient panel is limited in size. Enrollment is reserved for current patients until September 1st, and there is no enrollment fee through December 31, 2026.

You can read more about what is changing on the Current Patients page. If you have questions before you decide, call us at (503) 371-3232. I will be also happy to discuss this at your next visit.

I care about your health. Let’s fix what’s broken in healthcare — at least in our little corner of Oregon.

— Scott Bean, MD