Today we’d like to introduce you to Julio Nieto.
Julio, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Going back to the 8th grade, I remember watching Patch Adams, from then on, I always knew I wanted to be a doctor. Now it is a long journey from middle school to practicing medicine. After graduating from Florida Christian High School in Miami, I studied biology and chemistry at Florida International University before going to Ross University School of Medicine where I graduated with High Honors. After medical school, I completed a residency in Internal Medicine at Naples Community Hospital, a Mayo Clinic Affiliate. During my time in residency, I learned how our health insurance system of private payers and Medicare function (not well!). I also learned that the average primary care doctor had a panel of ~ 3000 patients and was routinely over booked ~ 6 months out. This meant that patients with urgent concerns could not see their primary care doctor and are routinely referred to urgent care centers or emergency rooms. Enter direct primary care as a model of delivering health care. DPC (short for direct primary care) is revolutionizing health care. We have smaller patient panels and all patients have direct access to myself by text, phone call, FaceTime and email. I can usually bring a patient into the office for a same day appointment and if not, definitely for the next day. The “Direct” part means we don’t accept insurance, no middle man, the patient pays the doctor a flat rate monthly, whether or not the patient sees the doctor or not. When a doctor accepts insurance, it’s really the insurance company your doctor works for, and he isn’t paid right away, can take up to 90 days. Recently commercial insurance has followed the trends of medicare in reimbursing lower and lower fees for primary care, and this is why doctors have had to swell their practice to 2000 or 3000 patients and see 20-30 patients a day. That doctor won’t have time to listen to you closely, he won’t have time to text you back or speak on the phone, and you can forget about getting an appointment soon, his calendar is already booked out 6+ months in advance. So there is a better way and thats what I offer. After residency I opened up Direct Primary Care of Miami and became Board Certified in Internal Medicine. At this time I see patients from Key West to Miami Beach, with an office in Kendal and one in Doral.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One concern I initially had was, where do I refer patients too when they would benefit from a specialist’s evaluation and management. Thankfully in the last year, the University of Miami reached out and established a direct line of communication with my office and their concierge scheduling coordinators. Just in the last 30 days we were able to get a patient a next day appointment to see a UM dermatologist.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am Dr. Julio Nieto, MD.
A board certified internal medicine trained doctor offering Direct Primary Care and Concierge level care to patients in South Florida.
What distinguishes me from employed physicians or doctors that accept insurance is that there is no middle man between my patients and myself. We don’t have to worry about in-network out-of-network, or whether or not a certain medication is covered this week by a specific insurance.
We get you the labs or imaging you need at cash price with discounts over 90% from traditional insurance marked-up rated.
But most uniquely, is that all my patient’s have my phone number, and they can call/text anytime. And if I don’t answer (usually if I’m with a patient at the moment) everyone is called back within 45 minutes.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I want to credit my parents, my teachers in high school, my orthopedic surgeon, my college professors, my professors of medicine at Naples Community Hospital for teaching me and making me the professional I am today.
Pricing:
- Rates start at $200/month for Direct Primary Care
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jnietomd.com
Image Credits
pics are mine
