As Oklahoma’s health care landscape continues to evolve, we’re seeing shifts that will have lasting impacts on how care is delivered, accessed and paid for.
Roughly 14% of Oklahomans remain uninsured, with self-employed people and those in rural communities facing the greatest challenges.
Traditional models often fall short of meeting their needs, underscoring the urgency of more innovative solutions.
A brighter future for health care in our state will require forward-thinking approaches that put patient needs first while making care more affordable for everyone.
Yuan
One promising path is the growing focus on direct primary care (DPC) and other value-based care models, which shift away from the quantity of services and instead emphasize the quality of care and patient satisfaction.
People are also reading…
These changes are especially relevant for Oklahoma, where many communities are grappling with provider shortages and rising health care costs.
With now well over 100 independent DPC providers throughout Oklahoma, the DPC model is becoming a vital part of this health care shift.
The number is growing 20% year over year, and large hospital networks are taking notice of how primary care doctors are adapting to this model.
Under the DPC model, patients have direct access to their primary care doctor through a membership typically ranging from $50 to $150 per month.
This approach fosters stronger doctor-patient relationships by allowing more time for each visit, reducing administrative barriers and offering a clear, predictable cost structure. Patients of DPC practices have great access to their doctors, which allows them to avoid higher-cost care settings.
We founded Taro Health to offer Oklahomans a more complete health care solution that combines the personalized care of DPC with the security of access to specialists and hospitals.
That’s why our plans — for individuals, families and small businesses — are offered through Healthcare.gov and include accessible and convenient features, like $0 co-pays for primary care, same-day or next-day appointments, telehealth services and direct communication with providers.
This blend of DPC’s simplicity and a robust health care system network, including Saint Francis, Hillcrest and Ascension St. John, benefits both patients and providers.
While the future of health care in Oklahoma will undoubtedly include ongoing challenges, innovative models with a greater focus on patient-centered care will drive positive change and improved outcomes.
As more Oklahomans embrace these new approaches, we will see a more efficient system that prioritizes health, improves outcomes and better supports businesses and individuals across the state.
The Tulsa World is where your story lives
The Tulsa World newsroom is committed to covering this community with curiosity, tenacity and depth. Our passion for telling the story of Tulsa remains unwavering. Because your story is our story. Thank you to our subscribers who support local journalism. Join them with limited-time offers at tulsaworld.com/story.
Jeff Yuan is the co-founder of Taro Health.
