Direct primary care agreements pass General Assembly

On Wednesday, the Senate of Virginia passed House Bill 685, introduced by Delegate R. Steven Landes (R-Augusta), which defines direct primary care agreements as medical service agreements outside the scope of state insurance regulation.  Senator William M. “Bill” Stanley, Jr. (R-Franklin) introduced the Senate companion, Senate Bill 627. The legislation defines direct primary care (DPC) in the Code of Virginia, sets forth conditions under which physicians may enter into DPC agreements with patients, and outlines consumer protections to maintain safeguards for patients. House Bill 685 and Senate Bill 627 are supported by the Medical Society of Virginia, the Virginia Academy of Family of Physicians, the National Federation of Independent Business, and the Northern Virginia Chamber Partnership, among others.  The legislation passed with broad bipartisan support in both chambers.

“It is imperative that we do all we can to improve access to quality care while controlling skyrocketing costs,” said Delegate R. Steven Landes (R-Augusta).  “Direct primary care is an innovative healthcare delivery model that offers consumers affordable membership based payment model for primary care services in their home. By reducing overhead and negative incentives associated with fee-for-service billing, we can help reverse the trend of rising costs. I want to thank Senator Stanley for his leadership on this legislation, and for all my colleagues in the Senate for passing House Bill 685. I look forward to seeing this legislation signed into law.”

“Direct primary care practices are improving healthcare while reducing costs for patients, families, and businesses,” said Senator William M. “Bill” Stanley, Jr. (R-Franklin).“This legislation allows individuals the ability to take their healthcare into their own hands and it restores the fundamentals of the doctor-patient relationship. It is time for Virginia to recognize this innovative healthcare arrangement. I am glad to see the bipartisan support in the Senate today. I want to thank Delegate Landes for working with me on this legislation to help see it pass.”