Now, That’s Smart

Written by: Top of Virginia Regional Chamber After spending many years in a traditional healthcare setting, Kelly Botta, PA-C, MSPAS, is taking a new approach to preventative primary care that provides additional options for patients with no insurance or high deductible plans.

Botta is the owner and founder of Smartypants Medicine, which offers direct primary care for patients for a low monthly fee that allows patients to get the care they need without worrying about meeting the costs associated with a high deductible or receiving a bill months later after an insurance company has partially reimbursed a healthcare provider. The idea of in-home medical care is not a new concept. Medical professionals have been visiting patients at home for many years, offering convenience as well as personable service without long wait times or mixing germs in mixed populations. What is new is the transparency of medical costs associated with coverage. In fact, Smartypants Medicine lists those prices online with their services, so that you know what to expect from the first moment. You can then compare those costs with industry standard market pricing to make an informed decision. Direct Primary Care is bringing a free market back to healthcare while lowering insurance costs nationally.

The healthcare industry represents one of the largest sectors in the United States economy. It is currently undergoing a revolution as technology creeps in. Telemedicine has been put on the main stage in the past year. The technology has been there for many years, but a reason to put it to good use has finally surfaced, much like those extinct QR codes that now adorn many restaurant tables for your menu. Personalized care and subscription or direct pay services have allowed the industry to provide more than a one-size-fits-all approach and strive for improved outcomes for patients. The United States ranks 37 on a World Health Ranking while spending more on healthcare than any other country by far.

Healthcare costs are difficult to manage and have left 40% of Americans burdened with massive debts. The hardest hit are “ALICE” families. They often make enough money to not qualify for community programs and services while their income is constrained when preparing for unknown expenses such as medical bills. In most industries, you have an idea of the cost of a product or service prior to deciding to purchase. A year of historic layoffs has left many uninsured. COBRA plans allow unemployed Americans to take advantage of the coverage they may have had while employed but requires they pay the full costs of the premiums, where an employer covers a US average 83% of insurance premiums after-tax and employee premiums are covered pre-tax. Medical debt is cited in two-thirds of bankruptcy filings. This impacts the ability for consumers to purchase homes or automobiles. Newer scoring models, such as FICO 9, weigh medical collections less than other types of collections, but not all lenders are using newer scoring models. Financially, Smartypants Medicine is a wonderful alternative for those who are unemployed or face high-deductibles that they often don’t meet. They are also revolutionizing communication with patients, utilizing text messages and email (both through a HIPAA secured, encrypted platform), as well as telephone communication.

Some small businesses in our region struggle to provide competitive insurance options for employees, not having the clout that a larger employer may carry when contracting insurance plans. This makes it difficult to retain employees or attract new talent to their staff. Small business owners can now work with Smartypants Medicine to provide preventative coverage without needing large amounts of time-off to sit in a crowded waiting room.