What Is a DPC?
I didn't know either. Last week I took a tour of the facility. During my facility tour, I learned that Direct Primary Care (or DPC), is a model where patients pay their physician directly through a monthly subscription. The West Branch DPC model puts patients first by getting rid of the red tape that constrains traditional insurance-based practices. This keeps costs low, because they do not accept health insurance. This includes chronic disease management (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), mental health, urgent care, sports medicine, medical weight loss and annual physicals.
In the Direct Medical Care Facility you have one low monthly fee. No copay for office visits, including physicals. You will receive preventative, acute and chronic medical care when you need them, as often as you need them. The office will refer you to any specialist in any hospital system or independent provider. You will receive perscriptions, lab tests, and imaging at a low cash only price. You can pick up common perscriptions at the DPC. They can do Dipstick urinalysis, Fingerstick glucose, EKGs, Spirometry, Nebulizer treatments, wound care, traction, red/NIR red light therapy, Salt therapy, Pap smears, Stool tests and Labs in the office.
Why is Direct Primary Care Better?
The DPC model allows physicians to care for the patient while reducing overhead costs. The low flat monthly fee allows the doctor to guide the patient to the most appropriate care. Patients have the ability to plan ahead for medical expenses since there are no office copays.
Meet the Doctor at the West Branch DPC
Dr. Sally Sperbeck is an Internal Medicine Physician at the West Branch DPC with 15 years' experience caring for adult patients. Dr. Sperbeck is board-certified in Internal Medicine. For the last 10 years, she has been caring for patients in West Branch. After working as an employed physician for a hospital group, she decided to open her own independent practice.
She received her medical education from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Prior to medical school, she earned her PH.D. in Molecular-Cellular Biology from Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois. She completed her postdoctoral fellowships at the National Institutes of Health and the University of Michigan.
Dr Sperbeck also received formal training and is board certified in Wound Care.
Dr. Sperbeck lives in West Branch with her husband, Jonathan Berns, DDS and their two sons. Their family is enjoying life in the rural West Branch, MI community.
Meet Teala, the Medical Assistant at the West Branch DPC
Teala Snyder, Doctor Sperbeck's Medical Assistant has 16 years experience. She has special training/certifications as an X-ray Technician, in Respiratory health, and Wound Care/HBO.
Teala is married and has three sons and lives in Gladwin.
Types of Therapy at the West Branch DPC
There are many different types of therapy at West Branch DPC. One type of therapy that I had never heard of is Salt Therapy. It is a tent that the patient sits in. It sprays a mist of salt water for patients with COPD or problems with their lungs. The patient breathes in the salt mist, and it helps clear the mucus from their lungs. One patient comes in whenever his COPD acts up, and it clears his lungs so he can breathe easier. I'm wondering if that would also help someone with Cystic Fibrosis.
Red Light Therapy
This is the room for Red Light Therapy. The patient lays inside like a tanning bed for about 15 minutes. (It uses very low levels of heat and doesn't hurt or burn the skin. I was informed that Red Light Therapy is not the same type of light used in tanning booths, and it doesn't expose your skin to damaging UV rays.) I had a sample session in this bed. A fan was running and keeping the air cool, so it didn't get real hot. I didn't really notice any difference, but a regular regimen of therapy may help over time.
How Does Red Light Therapy Work?
With red light therapy, you expose your skin to a lamp with a red light. A part of your cells called mitochondria, sometimes called the power generators of your cells, soak it up and make more energy. Some experts think this helps cells repair themselves and become healthier. This speeds up healing in skin and muscle tissue.
What is Red/NIR Red Light Therapy?
Red light therapy is a treatment that may help skin, muscle tissue, and other parts of your body heal. It exposes you to low levels of red or near-infrared light. Infrared light is a type of energy your eyes can't see, but your body can feel. Red light is similar, but you can see it.
In the next room, you will see another red light therapy option. Do you have a hard time bending or climbing up into the bed shown above? The next therapy bed will work better for you. Some older ones can't get in and out of the other bed easily.
What Does Red Light Therapy Treat?
Here is a list of conditions that studies have found it may help with:
Dementia, Dental Pain, Hair Loss, Osteoarthritis, Tendinitis and Wrinkles.
Red light therapy is generally considered safe, even though researchers aren't exactly sure how and why it works.
Some of the benefits include: Improvement of collagen fibers, relief of muscle spasms, improvement of blood flow, reduces inflammation, reduces joint stiffness and aids in pain relief.
Traction Rooms
If you have neck or hip pain this is the room where you will have traction therapy. This can help with disc disease, arthritis & stenosis.
The second room where you will be treated with traction therapy.
Contact the West Branch DPC
If you think this type of medical care is for you, or if you would like to learn more about all the benefits, please call Dr. Sally Sperbeck at the West Branch DPC or visit her website to have all your questions answered.
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I've been a patient here for over 6 months. I can attest to the wonderful healing properties of red light therapy. I have never had the level of care that I receive here. Feels more like a family environment than traditional medical care, where you feel like a number instead of a person with real conditions. Here you are actually listened to and given options for your treatment...what a concept!
That's very nice to know! I like the people there too, although I am not currently a patient.