Healthcare in the United States is failing.
With skyrocketing costs, fewer and fewer people can afford health insurance. For those who still have coverage, 21–35% of claims are denied — leaving patients to fight over bills they thought were covered. In 2024, a record 91 million Americans were unable to afford quality healthcare (sources below).
At the same time, Americans are sicker than ever before. Chronic diseases continue to rise, while life expectancy has declined since 2021. Despair-related deaths — from addiction, alcohol use, and suicide — have become alarmingly common, reflecting a system that manages illness rather than promote health.
This crisis has made one thing clear: the traditional insurance model is no longer sustainable. Patients are paying more but receiving less, and doctors are leaving conventional practices in record numbers due to burnout, bureaucracy, and insurance red tape.
Healthcare costs in the United States have seen a significant rise since 2000. In 2000, total national health expenditures were approximately $1.4 trillion. By 2023, this figure had more than tripled to $4.9 trillion. This increase reflects an average annual growth rate that has consistently outpaced general economic growth and inflation during this period.
This surge stems from an aging population, rising rates of chronic disease, rushed-to-market medical technologies, and skyrocketing drug and service prices — but not necessarily produces better outcomes. The gap between what we spend and how well we live has never been wider.
At Vital Edge Health, we believe the future of medicine lies in simplifying and restoring direct and personalized care. Our growing network of functional Direct Primary Care clinics is helping individuals, families, and employers reclaim affordable, preventive, and relationship-based healthcare. Together, we are building a model that puts people before profit and empowers every patient to take charge of their own health.
The healthcare system may be broken — but a better one is already taking shape. You could be part of it!
Feature | Insurance-Based Healthcare | Direct Primary Care (DPC) |
---|---|---|
Access to Care | Limited by insurance networks and approval processes | Unrestricted access to your provider via visits, text, email |
Payment Structure | Pay-per-visit + copays, deductibles, and insurance premiums | Flat monthly membership fee, no copays or deductibles |
Visit Length | Typically 10–15 minutes | 30–60 minutes or longer as needed |
Doctor-Patient Relationship | Often rushed, less personal | Deep, ongoing relationship with your physician |
Billing | Complex paperwork, coding, and claims | Simple and transparent |
Preventative & Lifestyle Focus | Often reactive, focused on symptoms | Proactive, preventive, and holistic care |
Access to Additional Services | May require referrals, often expensive | Many in-house services included or offered at wholesale rates |
Cost Transparency | Often unclear or unexpected bills | Clear, upfront pricing for all services |
Specialist Referrals | Typically require prior authorization from insurance, limited to in-network providers, creating delays and added costs. | Coordinated directly by your DPC physician, when needed |
It’s time to make healthcare work for people again.
Whether you’re a clinic or employer, Vital Edge Health can help you be part of a care model that’s personal, affordable, and built to last.
Sources:
ACA insurers deny 20% of claims: report
https://www.axios.com/
Business Insider: A record number of Americans are struggling to afford healthcare
https://www.businessinsider.com/americans-struggle-afford-healthcare-medicaid-low-income-black-hispanic-2025-4
Health System Tracker: How has U.S. spending on healthcare changed over time?
https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/u-s-spending-healthcare-changed-time/
PMC: The Burden of Chronic Disease
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10830426