How primary doctors are making it personal

Doctor's visit
Bertina Dixon, left, breathes deep for Dr. Fred Lewis during an exam Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 at the Southside Community Health Services medical clinic in Richfield.
Jennifer Simonson | MPR News file

A growing number of primary care doctors are leaving the traditional medical clinic and insurance systems behind and working more directly with patients.

Sometimes called "concierge care" or "direct primary care", the goal is to strip out layers of management that can come between patients and doctors.

The payment schemes very for this kind of care. Some patients pay monthly fees for unlimited office visits. Some corporations contract directly with doctors to see employees at the workplace.

MPR News' Kerri Miller talked with a physician who thinks this concept can also serve lower-income Americans, and to All Things Considered contributor Dr. Jon Hallberg.

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