Ever wake up and immediately know there is just no way you can make it in to work? That’s what happened to Rhonda. She knew it was one of her typical migraines and did not need to be seen by a doctor but her employer required a doctor’s note. Instead of wasting time making an appointment, wasting energy getting out of bed to be seen, and wasting money to be seen; she just texted her doctor and a doctor’s note was sent electronically for her to give her employer.

It is 6:30 in the afternoon on a sunny Saturday and Rob is at home with his wife and children. They’re enjoying the weekend, playing with the kids and family dog in the back yard. It was all fun and games until someone got hurt. The playful rough-housing caused the dog the wiggle out of Rob’s arms and the quick whip of the dog’s head smashed into Rob’s face. With a busted lip, Rob called his doctor and explained the story. He went right to the office, got a few stitches, and was back home within an hour. This alone saved Rob hours and hours of waiting in the ED and the $1,500 emergency room bill that would have come with it.

A simple text about a lump in his neck lead to a same day appointment. He was worried about a lump that had been there for a month or two and to be honest, his doctor was worried too. After some tests, it turned out— it was cancer. Shocked, his doctor and him worked to coordinate care and assure the right steps were being taken for him to be treated. Thankfully it was early, the cancer was treated, and Ali is in full remission.

Ali later told his doctor that if not for the simplicity of contacting a doctor, he probably would have ignored the lump for several more months, or years. This would have delayed his diagnosis, delaying his treatment, and possibly lead to a much different outcome.

Healthy, young, and busy working full time at a small business that doesn’t offer health insurance, he figured he didn’t need to look into any insurance plans. But then — snap, crackle, pop— while playing soccer with his buddies, he injured his ankle. Looking for affordable care, he decided to check out Direct Primary Care and was able to be seen in the office that day. X-rays of his ankle were needed and revealed a fracture of his leg. Luckily, this type of fracture did not need surgical correction and after 8 weeks in a walking boot, repeat X-rays showed excellent healing. The total cost of the visit, X-rays, and treatment was less than $300.

The alternative decision would have been to go to the emergency room, get the X-rays there, been referred to a primary care doctor, inevitably be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon, and he then would have been given the same treatment, less conveniently and cost him an average of $2,000-$3,000.

One Tuesday afternoon, Jen was stuck at work but texted her doctor because her allergies were acting up. She couldn’t come into the office because she had an important meeting all afternoon but lucky for her, she was a member. Her doctor was able to personally deliver exactly what she needed right to her office to help her make it through the day.

He admits, he is bit hard-headed… and his wife certainly does not disagree. He was persistent in wanting to use his insurance for the ultrasound his doctor recommended for his abdominal pain. His reasoning was logical: He pays monthly for the insurance offered by his employer, might as well use it! He was told about the DPC price of about $250-$300 but still, hard-headed as he is, persisted in going through his insurance.

The test was completed and the results were reassuring. All was calm for a few months. Then, the bill came. In total, Rob was billed $900 for the ultrasound by his “good” insurance. In disbelief, he called his doctor for a quick venting session and to maybe learn some quick relaxation techniques.