Good Neighbor Podcast: Rochester
Bringing Together Local Businesses and Neighbors of Rochester
Good Neighbor Podcast: Rochester
EP#82: Salta Direct Primary Care with Kim Stephens
Ever wondered why healthcare is so expensive? Puzzled by the difference between healthcare and insurance? Our guest, Kim Stephens, with her extensive 28 years of experience in nursing and hospital administration, is here to clear the fog. With her unique perspective having traversed the healthcare industry, Kim shares her journey and introductions to the model of direct primary care.
Good Neighbor Kim, from Salta Direct Primary Care, breaks down the benefits of a direct primary care model, where healthcare is a low fee cost investment delivered directly to the consumer or employer, bypassing the costly insurance process. She discusses the profound value of having 24/7 access to your doctor and establishing a relationship with them. Also discover how Salta Direct Primary Care provides cost-saving options for consumers and businesses alike and how it brings a significant contribution to employee recruitment and retention for businesses. Buckle up for a refreshing view on redefining healthcare as a valuable investment.
This is the Good Neighbor podcast, the place where local businesses and neighbors come together. Here's your host, Lisa Swiftney.
Speaker 2:Welcome everyone to episode number 82 of the Good Neighbor podcast. Today we are broadcasting from the Unwine Winery brand group, which is part of Connect McComb. Our special guest is Good Neighbor Kim Stevens, and she is with Salta Direct Primary Care. Hi, kim, how are you doing today? Hi, good morning Excellent. How are you? I'm doing really well, thank you. Thank you for being a guest today. Thank you for having me. Why don't we start by telling our listeners about Salta Direct Primary Care?
Speaker 3:Yes, well, thank you, lisa. So Salta Direct Primary Care is just as it states direct. We go direct to the consumer, the employer for healthcare, rather than going through the insurance. When we receive healthcare going through insurance we pay four, five times higher or more for the same care that can be delivered directly to the consumer, directly to the employer, at a flat, low fee cost.
Speaker 2:That is good. It's good to know that you guys are available for the consumer. Yes, Our listeners about you. How did you get started in this business?
Speaker 3:All right. Well, I've been a nurse for 28 years and just when I was 22 years old starting out, I realized very quickly at the bedside that we had a problem. We had a problem with repeated customers coming back in because they're not receiving the care that they need complications from surgery. I thought that we could change this from top down within the healthcare system. So move forward.
Speaker 3:23 years later, I was administrator at a hospital, making changes and wanting to change healthcare to make it more affordable, accessible for the patient. I realized that we can't do it within the healthcare system. So I was on a quest to find a way to change healthcare. I came across Salted Direct Primary Care and I realized this is the way we're going to change healthcare Meaning first. Where are we going to start first? We're going to start with primary care. We're going to start and go direct to the consumer, direct to the employer, with a flat fee, so that again we're not paying three, four, five times higher for the same care. It's breaking the bank of many Americans and we needed to fix it.
Speaker 2:And healthcare has been an issue for many, many, many years.
Speaker 3:Yes, it has, absolutely.
Speaker 2:Can you tell us about any myths or misconceptions that you hear about in your industry?
Speaker 3:Yes, it's funny that you asked that. I'm in a quest right now to ask our members versus the other employers in the community what healthcare means to you. And when I ask the community, when I ask people that are not aware what direct primary care is, they will say it's copays, deductibles, high cost, and so what they're thinking of healthcare is insurance. Insurance is an expense and we need that, but we're using the healthcare system incorrectly. We're using it through the insurance. We do not do that in any other industry. For cars or houses.
Speaker 3:Frequent low cost events are not insurable events, but in healthcare we use our insurance card for frequent low cost events and this is where we're seeing that it's breaking the bank for employers and for consumers, and today it's the third highest cost in the P&L statement. This cannot sustain. So this is where we have to see healthcare as an investment. Insurance is a cost. Use healthcare through direct primary care and insurance for those higher costs in frequent events. When we change our mindset of healthcare, then we will all be able to see healthcare in a different light and see it again as an investment. If we don't start investing in ourselves, our bodies are going to make us later on. So healthcare is not insurance.
Speaker 2:That is very interesting and I like how you mentioned the PNL statement because healthcare is one of the highest things on my PNL statement. So, I do know that. What are the advantages of a direct primary care physician?
Speaker 3:The number one advantage is time Time to spend with your primary care, to build a relationship, to get to know them 24 seven access, whether the office is open, closed, weekends or holidays or out of town, you always have a direct cell phone number to your provider, your primary care provider, so when an issue arises, or something very simple, like you have a cold, you can call them, get the treatment that you need right then and there, rather than wasting time and money going to urgent care and ears.
Speaker 2:So I find too, you have to call the office, you have to come in, they have to see your face.
Speaker 3:That's why you already have that relationship established with your doctor 100%, so that person knows you, rather than going to urgent care and ear where they do not know you and they're just guessing what is going on. And we find when people come to us they have many misdiagnoses because some of these providers taking care of them do not know them. And it's kind of like your used car you take it into the shopping and you take it to a mechanic that doesn't know doesn't know your car they're going to tell you three and four and five things wrong with it. That's not wrong with it. So again, it's that relationship. And Harvard's been doing the study since 1938, wanting to answer the question what makes you live a long, healthy life? They're still doing the study with kids and grandkids. Why? Because it's very simple. It's not the pills and surgeries, it's the relationships we make with family, friends and community. So it's very important, it's very easy and it's the simple things.
Speaker 2:That's very interesting in that Harvard study. So I think you're sharing that with us. You're welcome. So is this option cost effective for consumers?
Speaker 3:Yes, it is absolutely cost effective. It is for the consumer, direct to consumer. For an adult it's $90 a month, that equates to $3 a day. For members from pediatrics up to 25 years old, it's $45 a month, that's $1.50 a day. To receive 24 seven access and care All at that low cost. The total cost of direct primary care is less than one ER deductible.
Speaker 2:That is great. It's cheaper than a cup of Starbucks, right? Absolutely yes. Besides individual care, does Salta offer programs for businesses?
Speaker 3:Yes, this is wildly successful for businesses. We have businesses that not only save money for the total cost of their health care because people aren't running urgent care, er missing work, they can call their doctor at their desk. They can call their doctor at break and get a visit right then and there. So it does help the employer with cost, but I don't like to put my first foot at cost. What it really helps with is recruitment and retention. This is a benefit that people can actually use. Their entire family can use anytime anywhere. So again, when you give people benefits they can use, rather than the traditional, here's your insurance card and good luck on the deductibles and co-pays. No, this is something that people can actually use. You're investing in your people and you're giving back. I'll give you an example. When our office instituted, all the employees would have direct primary care. We have seven offices. We have zero openings for doctors and nurses, when this industry is begging for doctors and nurses. All of the employees see this value and they love working with us. That is great.
Speaker 2:What is one thing that you want our listeners to know about Salta Direct Primary Care?
Speaker 3:There's many things, but one thing very succinctly, and what I say to people, because it's a concept that's new and people generally they either don't get it or they think that I'm selling snake oil. But I would say this that insurance is an expense, healthcare is an investment. If we don't start investing in ourselves, our bodies are going to make us invest in ourselves. I didn't know Again good statement.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's very easy. It's that relationship and access. Access and price transparency. So that's what I would like people to know. No one needs to buy anything unless they want to do something. So, for the listeners, what would you like to do with your health?
Speaker 2:And our last questions are now. Our listeners are intrigued. They want to learn more. They want to have a direct primary care physician. So how do they go about doing that? How do they contact you guys?
Speaker 3:Excellent. You can go to our website. Some people know straight away after hearing this that they'd like to join. Many people go to the website at saltadirectcom. That's S-A-L-S-N-L-O-V-T-A directcom, or please call me. I am always happy to expand on what I'm saying and answer any questions because, again, it's a new concept for many people. Even people that work in health care do not know that this is the way that you can care for people. So my number is 248-509-0284. And it seems kind of different to give your number out, but I am patients from years ago, still have my number and please connect with me. Connections are everything.
Speaker 2:Great Well, kim. Thank you so much for being a guest today on our Good Neighbor podcast.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much, Lisa.
Speaker 1:I appreciate your time Thanks for listening to the Good Neighbor podcast, Rochester. To nominate your favorite local businesses to be featured on the show, go to G-N-P Rochestercom. That's G-N-P Rochestercom, or call 248-988-9640.