Editor’s Note: We spoke with Dr. Michele Gero, a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician and owner of Aspire DPC located at 415 Commercial Court (Suite C) in Venice. DPC is an acronym for Direct Primary Care. Call 941-800-1630 for a free meet and greet with Dr. Gero. Visit AspireDirectPrimaryCare.com. Aspire DPC was one of the two recipients of our Venice Spirit Award in 2022.
How does Direct Primary Care work and what are the benefits?
DPC is a direct contract between the doctor and the patient. I work with my patients for their health, not for insurance companies or large healthcare organizations. Benefits include same or next day appointments, longer visits, unlimited visits with no copays, and the ability to reach me after hours. Services include annual visits, women’s health, child and adolescent care, chronic disease management, work and school physicals, and unlimited sick visits. I care for patients of all ages, and we don’t have hidden fees.
How is your practice different than a traditional physician practice?
We cap the total number of patients to 550 compared to 3,500 in a traditional doctor’s office. That allows me to spend more time with each patient and to be available when needed. Appointments are 30-60 minutes long, unrushed and not dictated by insurance company rules. It’s the same personal medicine I grew up with in my small hometown.
How is the DPC approach different from concierge medicine?
The cost for DPC is much more affordable compared to concierge offices. Monthly rates are typically less than a person’s gym membership. Concierge physicians typically bill your insurance and require copays for each visit on top of their annual fee. With DPC, your membership pays for all the care I can provide without additional fees.
How are your patients responding to your approach?
Our patients appreciate our direct approach, and access to our office whenever a need arises. Aspire DPC reflects my highest aspirations for providing the best medical care possible for every member of the family.
Where did you complete your medical education and residency?
I’m from a small rural town in upstate New York near the border of Canada. I attended SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and completed my residency there as well. My husband and I moved to Wallingford, Connecticut after graduation, where I owned a practice for 7 years. In 2011, we were done with the winters and moved to beautiful SW Florida.
What would you like to share about your family and other interests?
My husband and I stay busy supporting our three children and a new puppy that added to our chaos. I enjoy reading and doing different crafting projects in my free time.
