Concierge Medicine
What Is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
Haute MD Editorial Team
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a healthcare model in which patients pay a flat monthly fee — typically $50–$200 — directly to their primary care physician in exchange for unlimited visits, basic procedures, and often wholesale-priced labs and medications. DPC removes insurance billing from the primary care relationship entirely, allowing physicians to maintain small panels and spend substantially more time with each patient.
How DPC differs from concierge medicine
DPC is structurally similar to concierge medicine but priced for affordability and accessibility. DPC practices charge monthly rather than annual fees, typically do not bill insurance at all, and focus on bundled primary care rather than executive amenities or premium diagnostics.
Typical monthly costs and what they include
Monthly DPC fees range from $50 to $200 per adult, with family pricing common. The fee usually includes unlimited office visits, basic in-office procedures, chronic disease management, and wholesale pricing on labs and generic medications.
Who DPC is for
DPC works well for adults without complex specialist needs, families seeking affordable primary care outside the insurance system, employers offering a benefits alternative, and patients who want a real physician relationship at a lower price point than full concierge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DPC replace insurance?
No. Most DPC patients carry a high-deductible insurance plan for hospitalization, specialists, and catastrophic coverage.
How is DPC priced?
Typically $50–$200 per adult per month, with reduced pricing for children and family bundles.
Is DPC the same as concierge?
Both are direct-pay models, but DPC is lower-cost and bundled, while concierge is higher-priced with smaller panels and premium services.
Does DPC include medications and labs?
Many DPC practices include wholesale-priced labs and generic medications at or near cost as part of the membership.
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