The health care struggle for moms is real. Sesame can help.
Sarah wakes to the sounds of her 6-year-old son’s hacking cough. Entering Jack’s dark bedroom, she hears him wheezing. Under the faint glow of a nightlight, his chest rapidly rises and falls.
Jack has struggled with breathing problems since he was a baby, so motherly instincts take over. After giving Jack albuterol from an elephant-themed nebulizer, his symptoms slowly improve. He falls back asleep in Sarah’s arms.
Sarah, however, cannot sleep.
In addition to worrying about Jack’s lungs, she frets about getting her son the care he needs without bankrupting their family.
Jack doesn’t necessarily lack access — he has seen lots of doctors. Pediatricians, lung specialists, and emergency room doctors have helped him. They have prescribed a smorgasbord of medications, taken x-rays, and tested Jack’s lungs.
The family hasn’t lacked “coverage” either. They have had health insurance most of the time. However, with confusing details and ever-increasing deductibles, the plans haven’t made things easy. Lapses in coverage have been scary, but medical bills (even with insurance coverage) have often been enormous and unexpected. Sarah has hesitated — with much guilt — to take Jack to the doctor or get recommended testing for fear of surprise invoices.
As morning arrives, Sarah contemplates scheduling a visit with Jack’s primary care doctor (who typically cannot see him the same day). Her other options are an urgent care clinic or the ER. None of these options are appealing and all have unpredictable costs.
Searching for a phone number, Sarah feels a migraine coming on. But, she will have to worry about herself another day.
Sowing Seeds
As a family physician, I routinely hear these painful stories from my new patients. Listening to them during my medical training drove me to find a new way to provide primary care. Since 2011, I have built my practice around a direct, cooperative relationship with patients. This allows me to provide affordable care with enhanced access — regardless of a patient’s insurance status.
I am not alone.
Across America, there is an increasing number of doctors — primary care and specialists — who are realizing the benefits of a transparent, direct-pay model or option. Also, many other healthcare providers such as dentists, optometrists, and physical therapists are now offering fairly priced services to patients outside of insurance.
By freeing ourselves from bureaucratic entanglements, medical providers can rethink how care is defined, delivered, and priced. The very notion of doctors listing prices seems radical. However, it is very possible for most types of medical care. In the Kansas City area, we have a community of doctors who do just that.
Despite this, many Americans, like Sarah, remain unaware of these affordable options for excellent health care.
Sesame is their answer.
Making Things Simple for Sarah & Doctors
Simply put, Sesame is an online marketplace for affordable medical services where people can find and pay doctors directly; no middlemen, no confusion, no surprise bills.
Fed up with the traditional insurance games, doctors and other medical providers are increasingly interested in direct payment options. But many are unfamiliar with the logistics and unsure of how to find patients who prefer such an option. We help practices with both.
Sesame launched a few weeks ago in the Kansas City area with several dozen doctors, across a broad spectrum of specialties, offering a variety of services. Now, a patient can find affordable office visits, flat-rate primary care memberships (aka. Direct Primary Care), an x-ray for $29, an MRI for $79, and much more. More doctors and services are being added every week.
People are now booking appointments. It is exciting, and our talented, dedicated team is just getting started. The Sesame technology platform will grow to meet the needs of both patients and doctors.
The challenges before us are many, but we will work hard to make things easier for parents like Sarah who are up all night worrying.
