Mike Apostal, Entrepreneur & Wellness Innovator, CEO of Onyxmp. Development of major growth initiatives and innovative wellness solutions.
The US healthcare system is failing. We are ranked last in developed countries in healthcare performance, with Americans facing an annual average lifespan of $4.9 trillion per year (approximately $14,570 per person) and an increase in chronic disease rates in 2023.
Traditional healthcare is rooted in generalized care plans, third-party payers, and overwhelming providers, and is not built to meet the individual needs of today's patients. Direct consumer healthcare companies, also known as direct patient (DTP) or on-demand care, are taking advantage of this market gap to connect patients directly with providers for more affordable, personalized care.
As a direct patient-to-patient healthcare leader and entrepreneur, we know first hand how this approach makes personalized care better and accessible at scale. There are five important ways for DTP companies to disrupt and rebuild the future of healthcare.
1. Personalized preventive care
Traditional healthcare has long focused on treating illnesses rather than preventing them. The DTP model emphasizes active management of health and wellness. By leveraging advanced data collection through technology, predictive AI, and wearables, genetic testing and comprehensive health assessments, these platforms can build an overall health program tailored to each patient.
This allows for truly personalized interventions, such as predicting potential health risks, creating custom prevention programs based on individual genetic and metabolic profiles, and providing precision drugs specifically combined for each patient, like a DTP model. These advances show a significant shift from all treatment plans of one size to solutions that prioritize individual needs, improving outcomes and reducing potential long-term costs.
2. Cost transparency and affordable prices
One of the most frustrating aspects of traditional healthcare is the lack of cost transparency, often blinded to hidden fees and unexpected bills. The DTP model addresses this issue by providing clear, upfront pricing for services, medications and treatments.
By reducing insurance intermediaries and administrative overhead, these platforms can significantly reduce patient costs. For example, we found that custom compound medicines save patients thousands of dollars each year and provide access to much-needed medications that insurance companies don't cover.
3. Accessibility and convenience
Traditional healthcare often includes long wait times, complex scheduling, siloed care and professional referrals, and logistical hurdles.
DTP Healthcare removes these obstacles with the Telehealth platform, which provides 24/7 access to health professionals. Patients can use their smartphone, laptop or wearable to receive consultations, manage prescriptions, and monitor their health from the comfort of their home. By eliminating the need for physical appointments, the DTP model democratizes access to quality care.
4. Eliminate barriers of sensitive conditions
For many patients, stigma remains an important barrier to seeking care for sensitive issues such as sexual health, weight management and mental health. The DTP model uses prescriptions sent directly to the patient's home to provide unconservative access to professional care.
A private and convenient solution allows patients to seek help without fear of judgment. This accessibility was done without treatment, led to increased use of care for conditions that could improve outcomes and normalize conversations about sensitive health topics. This is my ultimate goal as a healthcare leader using the DTP model.
5. Patient empowerment
Direct communication channels and real-time data access with providers are transforming patient care. The DTP model shifts the power dynamics of healthcare, ensuring patients become active participants in their own health.
These platforms allow patients to make informed decisions and improve patient knowledge and control by providing full access and analysis of health data. Advanced tools such as a comprehensive personal health dashboard and chronic condition management app can help patients take care of themselves.
The future of healthcare
Direct patient companies are creating much needed disruption to the current health care system, challenging payers, providers and policymakers to get better. We all need a more efficient, personalized, patient-centered approach to wellness. I personally embrace this challenge in our business model because our future health depends on it.
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