What is Direct Primary Care?

In the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model, patients pay their provider directly, often in the form of a monthly membership, for primary care services. The DPC model replaces the traditional system of third party insurance coverage for primary care services. This model benefits patients because the membership fee covers the cost of many primary care services, removing financial barriers and surprise costs the patient may encounter in accessing routine primary care, including preventative, wellness and chronic care services.  The provider is able to focus on the needs of the patient and improving their health rather than on the paperwork and red tape required when working with the insurance companies. 

Most patients, depending on affordability, still carry insurance for coverage of healthcare services that cannot be provided in the primary care practice setting, such as specialty care and hospitalizations. The model is especially well suited for those patients with high deductible plans where they might normally be paying out of pocket for any primary care services that are not considered preventive.
The DPC model is structured to emphasize and prioritize the power of the relationship between a patient and provider to improve health outcomes and lower overall health care costs. The DPC contract fee structure can enable physicians to spend more time with their patients, both in face-to-face visits, and through telephonic or electronic communications mediums, since they are not bound by insurance reimbursement restrictions.