Should I Take One-Time Visits in my DPC Practice?

In this conversation, two DPC pediatricians, Dr. Phil Boucher and Dr. Marina Capella, discuss the benefits and challenges of offering one-time visits alongside membership-based services.Key Highlights:* One-Time Visits vs. Memberships: Both doctors offer one-time visits to attract new families and address immediate health concerns, like ear infections or ADHD evaluations. While the pricing for one-time visits may be similar to a monthly membership fee, the membership provides ongoing access to personalized care, making it a more cost-effective option for families needing frequent visits.* Pricing Strategy: Dr. Boucher explains that his practice doesn’t compete with itself by offering lower-cost one-time visits. For example, a one-time visit for a sick child costs $147, while a membership costs $175 per month and includes additional benefits. Dr. Capella offers integrative one-time visits at a higher price ($300) to incentivize families to convert to a membership.* Community Engagement: To build relationships and visibility, both doctors offer services beyond traditional memberships. Dr. Boucher provides ear piercing and ADHD evaluations as separate services, while Dr. Capella offers free flu shots funded through VaxCare, encouraging conversions to membership through positive patient experiences.* Adapting Over Time: Both practitioners stress the flexibility of the DPC model. As their practices grow, they may phase out one-time visits, especially if they reach full capacity. The DPC model allows practitioners to continuously adapt and evolve their business strategies to meet patient needs and practice goals. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dpcpediatricians.substack.com