How to Start a State DPC Alliance: Direct Primary Care in New York with Dr. Laura Petrescu

In short

Dr Petrescu said that when she started, hers was the only DPC practice in the Rochester metropolitan area. Dr Petrescu recalled that her health system cut her salary, calling her lifestyle medicine consults unproductive. Dr Petrescu said a woman who doubted her plan signed a contract addendum freeing her from a 10-mile radius restriction. Dr Petrescu said she made the state alliance a legal entity first so it could earn a place with legislators. Dr Petrescu explained that she picked business league nonprofit status because, unlike a charity, it permits advocacy. Dr Petrescu said the board agreed to decide motions electronically by email. Dr Petrescu named limits on lab testing in New York as a top alliance priority.

Key points

• Dr Petrescu said she chose business league nonprofit status for the alliance because it allows advocacy and work with legislators.
• Dr Petrescu said limits on lab testing in New York were among the alliance's top priorities.

• Dr Petrescu said a woman who thought her plan would not work signed an addendum releasing her from a 10-mile radius limit in her contract.

  But that led her to actually sign an addendum to my contract to release me from the 10-mile radius,

• Dr Petrescu said the alliance board votes on motions by email rather than meeting live.
• Dr Concepcion said a small group in her state met every few weeks to move their effort forward.

Chapters

1. 0:42 Show opening and guest introduction
2. 4:33 Opening the first DPC clinic in Rochester
3. 11:57 Career path and frustration inside the health system
4. 16:06 Doubters, a non-compete and a supportive nurse
5. 21:33 Forming a statewide physician alliance
6. 26:40 Time commitment and how the board works
7. 33:02 Incorporation and choosing a nonprofit type
8. 38:34 Getting physicians a seat where decisions are made
9. 43:27 Alliance priorities and board thanks
10. 46:46 Closing remarks

The guest's practice

Athena Direct Primary Care & Lifestyle Medicine, Pittsford, NY · Laura Petrescu