Models of Healthcare Delivery
The U.S. healthcare system can be complicated. Having a better understanding of how your healthcare is delivered can help you make more informed decisions as you manage your eosinophilic disorder.
Overview of Different Models of Healthcare Delivery
You may seek care for your eosinophilic condition from several doctors who are part of different types of medical practices. Examples of how healthcare might be delivered include the following.
Private Practice:
These are doctors who work on their own or in small groups. You can go directly to them for care, but how much it costs and what your insurance covers can vary. Some of these doctors work in larger medical groups that offer various services like urgent care, specialty clinics, and even outpatient surgery.
Academic Medicine:
Academic medical centers are usually connected to universities and medical schools. They teach future doctors, take care of patients, and do medical research. You might get access to advanced treatments at these places, and your care team could include both experienced doctors and others who are still learning.
Safety Net Providers:
These providers help people who are uninsured or are underinsured. They often charge based on what you can afford. You can find them in community health centers, free clinics, and public hospitals.
A Note About Tertiary Care and Private Practice Settings for Eosinophil-associated Disease
Tertiary care refers to specialized medical services that are provided in advanced healthcare settings, typically within large hospitals or academic medical centers. These facilities are staffed by medical specialists who often manage complex and/or rare medical conditions. Care from a number of specialists, such as gastroenterology, allergy, and dietary services, can be coordinated under one roof.
Private practice involves individual or group healthcare providers who provide care outside of hospital settings. A care coordinator can help you manage appointments with various specialists may or may not be offered in private practice clinics.
If you are having trouble locating a specialist to manage your eosinophil-associated disease, look to see if the large hospital systems in the cities closest to you have a specialty program for your condition, or a specialist who has experience in your condition.
You may also find APFED’s Specialist Finder to be a helpful resource.
