Three South Carolina Doctors Open MDVIP-Affiliated Primary Care Practices
Drs. Tracy R. Barefield, M.D., Alyssa M. Degnan, D.O., and David C. Fisher, M.D., Provide Patient-Centered Medicine in the Palmetto State
Boca Raton, Fla. – (July 31, 2018) – MDVIP, the national leader in affordable personalized healthcare, announced today that Tracy R. Barefield, M.D., a family doctor in North Augusta, Alyssa M. Degnan, D.O., an internist in Aiken, and David C. Fisher, M.D., a family doctor in Elgin, have opened new MDVIP-affiliated practices. With the addition of these three doctors, MDVIP now has 28 affiliated physicians in the State of South Carolina who are delivering a better healthcare experience with an emphasis on health prevention, not just the treatment of illness.
Dr. Barefield said, “For more than two decades, I’ve had the privilege of providing care to families in the Central Savannah River Area. Joining the MDVIP network allows me and my patients to spend the necessary time to address all of their health concerns and work together on creating a plan that helps them prevent illness and optimize their well-being for the long term.”
“I believe practicing good medicine requires an open dialogue and close partnership between doctor and patient,” said Dr. Degnan. “Under the MDVIP model, I get to know my patients on a personal level and coach them through each step to achieving their individual health goals, whether it’s running their first marathon, reducing their medications or improving their nutrition.”
Dr. Fisher said, “As a family physician, my passion for providing highly personalized care goes beyond just the office visit. I bring an exceptional level of empathy and understanding to my patients’ care, which is increasingly difficult to do in a traditional, volume-based practice. The MDVIP approach to primary care puts the focus back where it should be – on the patient, not the clock.”
Personalized Preventive Care
MDVIP-affiliated physicians maintain significantly smaller practices, which allows them to spend more time with patients and provide highly individualized primary care compared to traditional practices. For an annual membership fee, each patient receives the MDVIP Wellness Program, a comprehensive yearly health assessment that includes advanced diagnostic tests and screenings to give a more complete view of the patient's overall health. Using the results, physicians provide coaching and tools to help patients make healthier lifestyle choices, prevent disease and achieve their wellness goals.
Proven Health Outcomes
Published research supports the MDVIP model. Medicare patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices were admitted to the hospital 79% less than patients in traditional practices, and commercial patients were in the hospital 72% less, notes an American Journal of Managed Care study. This significant reduction in hospitalizations yielded a $300-million savings for Medicare in one year. Readmission rates for Medicare patients suffering heart attack, congestive heart failure and pneumonia were dramatically lower than for non-MDVIP Medicare patients.
Smaller Practice, More Time
Other benefits of an MDVIP-affiliated practice include same- or next-day appointments that start on time and last an average of 30 minutes. Physicians are reachable 24/7 by phone. If patients have an emergent need while traveling, their physician can help arrange care with a local hospital, pharmacy or doctor, which may include another MDVIP-affiliated physician. Demonstrating the value of the MDVIP model, patient satisfaction and annual membership renewals consistently exceed 90 percent.
About Tracy R. Barefield, M.D.
Dr. Barefield earned her medical degree and completed her internship and residency in Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Georgia. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Dietetics and Nutrition from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Board certified in Family Medicine, Dr. Barefield is affiliated with Doctor's Hospital, Trinity Hospital and University Hospital.
About Alyssa M. Degnan, D.O.
Dr. Degnan earned her medical degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Pennsylvania. She completed her internship at Frankford Hospital and her residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, both in Philadelphia. Dr. Degnan is board certified in Internal Medicine and is affiliated with Aiken Regional Medical Centers. She also serves as Medical Director for several healthcare facilities in the community, including Kindred Hospice.
About David C. Fisher, M.D.
Dr. Fisher earned his medical degree from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine in Huntington, West Virginia. He completed his internship and residency at Palmetto Health/USC Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Fisher is board certified in Family Medicine and is affiliated with Palmetto Health Richland Hospital and Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital.
About MDVIP
MDVIP leads the market in membership-based healthcare that goes far beyond concierge medicine services with a national network of over 900 primary care physicians focused on prevention and personalized healthcare. Learn more at www.mdvip.com.