As health plan premiums and deductibles continue to rise across the country, many people find that simply having health insurance does not necessarily mean they can afford to go to the doctor.

Add to that the feeling that there is often not enough time to discuss all your health issues with your physician, and it is easy to understand why patients are frustrated.

One local physician is about to change all of that.

Dr. Kimberly Legg Corba, an independent family physician with Green Hills Direct Family Care, is eliminating health insurance companies in her practice and shaking up the status quo to benefit patients.

As the first physician in the Lehigh Valley to offer direct primary care, her goal is to increase fact time with patients, decrease costs for patients, and continue to provide high quality care.

Dr. Corba is a family medicine doctor who has been an independent solo practitioner at Green Hills Family Care since 2003.

She has been recognized as a No. 1 Primary Care Practice in Achieving Clinical Excellent quality rating program from Lehigh Valley Health Networks Physician Health Organization for the past four rating periods, which includes Cigna, Aetna, Choice Plus, Geisinger, United and Health America insurance programs.

She has also received the highest level for quality and Capital Blue Cross and consistently rates higher than her peers.

The accolades from these insurance companies, however, have not come without cost.

While there have been financial burdens for a single practice via management, billing, and red tape compliance, Corba’s deepest concern has always been her patients and the restrictions placed upon her by insurance companies as she attempts to offer the best overall care possible.

“I am offering a quality healthcare plan option for those that are fed up with insurance companies at a cost that is cheaper than most cell phone bills. I no longer want to be penalized for not prescribing generic drugs, not referring my patients to the cheapest specialists in town, or for spending too much time with my patients,” Dr. Corba stated.

Dr. Corba has held town hall meetings in Upper Macungie to explain her decision, delineate what services her office will offer as a DCP, as well as answer questions from patients and the community.

During the town hall meetings, she took the time to answer a variety of questions from her patients, all of whom she knew by name.

The pervading issue was cost.

Affordable monthly fees for direct care with Dr. Corba vary by age and range from $10 to $100 per month.

There are no costs for pre-existing conditions.

Dr. Corba’s direct care practice will offer 24/7 access to the doctor, including unlimited visits, email, phone, text, Facetime, and Skype consultations with Dr. Corba, who also offers same day or next day appointments.

All routine services currently offered by her practice will be free as part of the DCP and Corba will maintain a fully-stocked prescription medication dispensary on site in order to provide her patients with the most commonly prescribed drugs at wholesale costs.

Additionally, low-cost options for lab work and X-rays are also being offered through her office with most blood tests priced at $10 or less and radiologic studies that range between $25 and $400 and any tests ordered can be applied to a health savings account or flexible spending account, according to Corba.

She has also partnered with Medicare specialist Donna Beach and commercial insurance specialist Bob Kachelries to assist patients in addressing their insurance compatibility concerns.

“To be clear,” said Corba, “this is not a substitute to health insurance. My plan works great for those who can chose a plan that offers high deductibles, usually the least expensive choice if the patient is offered a play by their employer.”

According to Corba, general practitioner doctor visits have been shown to actually decrease emergency room visits.

She is hoping that other local practices will consider making the switch to this model as well.

It is spreading all over the country with some reports putting the number at 20,000 plus DCP practices in existence so far.

“Patients are becoming consumers of healthcare at all levels,” she said.

“By offering a direct care plan, I am taking back healthcare from the insurance industry, cutting out all the red tape.”

“For 12 years, we have provided very high quality care and we are going to continue to do so for our patients.”

For additional information about costs and enrollment, visit www.greenhillsdirectfamilycare.com.