Primary care can be especially important for younger adults. Regular visits with a primary care doctor can emphasize prevention, help detect health issues early, and even manage some chronic conditions. Unfortunately, price and bureaucracy is often a significant roadblock. That’s why Direct Primary Care has become an especially popular and effective choice for Generations Y and Z.
Generally, Generation Y is considered to be those individuals born between the years of 1981-1996. Gen Z is defined as anyone born between the years of 1997-2012. These are broad categories that cover a wide variety of individuals and lived experiences. In general, however, these groups tend to be relatively young and, as a result, largely healthy. This means the bulk of their medical needs will fall under the umbrella of preventative care.
Direct Primary Care can offer Gen Y and Gen Z individuals a number of benefits that traditional primary care does not.
Attentive, Flexible Care
Many in Generations Y and Z are intensely alienated by the structure of modern medicine. Like anyone else, they don’t want to feel like a cog in a corporate machine. So when they see their doctor, they want to feel like a human being whose concerns are treated with respect. In a Direct Primary Care setting, physicians are not overburdened by high patient counts. They have the time to deliver high quality, attentive care. Regular wellness visits can last up to 30 minutes, far beyond the 10-15 that are typical in a traditional primary care setting.
Because they can spend more time with patients and communicating with patients, doctors in Direct Primary Care settings tend to get to know their patients well. As a result, they’re more likely to detect issues earlier–often when they are easier to treat. Monthly membership dues cover the vast majority of services provided by Direct Primary Care clinics, meaning important care decisions are typically not mediated (or denied) by insurance companies.
Cost Effective Care
At first glance, it may seem as though receiving this attentive care would be prohibitively expensive. But that’s not necessarily the case. In fact, most patients who are under 39 only pay $100 per month to be a member at Progressive Health Primary Care. That makes Direct Primary Care a cost effective option for most patients. Monthly dues cover:
- In-office visits
- Telehealth visits
- Many in-office procedures
- Annual labs
- Urgent care needs
- Travel health consultations
- And more
As a result of these covered procedures, patients in Generations Y and Z can save additional money by minimizing the amount of health insurance they require. There are several ways that younger patients elect to do this. In some cases, they will select a health insurance plan that covers only catastrophic needs. In others, they may use options such as Goodbill or Atlas Direct to help cover additional healthcare expenses while still maintaining their general health and wellness through Direct Primary Care.
Other Perks of Direct Primary Care
There are other aspects of Direct Primary Care that make this model of medicine a good fit for the needs of Gen Y and Gen Z, especially in terms of how those generations interact with and navigate the world. Some of those perks include the following:
- Telehealth is widely used: In a Direct Primary Care setting, telehealth visits are regularly used for routine needs. This means it’s easier to check in with your doctor remotely–without going into the office. Given how these generations drive less and tend to be more comfortable in virtual spaces, this is a significant draw.
- HSA dollars can pay membership dues: Many Gen Y and Gen Z patients have an HSA account dedicated to healthcare expenses. The problem is that younger patients are often so healthy that it’s sometimes hard to find a use for these funds. When you’re a member at a Direct Primary Care clinic, you can use your HSA funds, starting January 2026, to pay your membership dues, ensuring that this money is used every year.
- You can avoid urgent care and hospitals: Direct Primary Care won’t always be the right solution for emergency care needs. But many younger patients who don’t have a dedicated primary care physician will use urgent care and hospitals for many of their routine needs. This can end up getting very expensive. Having a Direct Primary Care physician that knows your health history yields multiple benefits – easier communication, avoiding unnecessary tests, and faster appointment times, to name a few. In no small part because of this, seeing a primary care physician under a Direct Primary Care model can end up saving on health care costs in the long run.
A Great Choice for Generations Y and Z
Direct Primary Care offers a novel, intuitive, and human-centered way to address routine health and wellness needs. From longer appointment times with more attentive care to significant cost savings, this model of primary care is particularly well suited to the needs and habits of younger patients.
For Illinois area patients who have questions about Direct Primary Care, contact Progressive Health Primary Care today to schedule a discussion!
