Direct Primary Care (DPC) is reshaping U.S. primary care by removing insurance complexity and giving physicians more time for meaningful clinical work. Under this model, patients pay a predictable monthly or annual membership fee directly to their physician for comprehensive, accessible care—without claim submissions, prior authorizations, or billing overwhelm.
This article provides an overview of how Direct Primary Care works, expected workflows, and the benefits and challenges physicians should consider before transitioning.
To understand where Direct Primary Care is headed and the trends shaping physician adoption, explore our deep-dive: The Future of Direct Primary Care: What Every Physician Should Know.
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care is a membership-based model where patients pay a recurring fee (typically $50–$150/month) directly to their physician in exchange for:
- Comprehensive primary care
- Transparent pricing
- Unlimited access via visits, messaging, or telehealth
- A smaller physician panel and enhanced continuity
For Physicians, Direct Primary Care Means:
- 60–70% less administrative load
- Longer visits (30–60 minutes) instead of 8–12 minutes
- Smaller panels (300–500 patients) rather than 2,000+
- Predictable recurring revenue
- Greater clinical autonomy
How the Direct Primary Care Model Operates
DPC is built on a predictable membership structure. Patients subscribe monthly or annually for unlimited primary care access.
Core Features of DPC:
- Same- or next-day appointments
- Extended visit durations (median DPC visit = 45 minutes)
- Direct communication: text, secure messaging, phone, or telehealth
- Minimal staffing needs
- Lower overhead due to the removal of insurance billing
- Lightweight DPC EHR support (scheduling, messaging, membership billing)
How Physicians Operate in a DPC Practice
- Patients enroll online or in person
- Membership fees renew automatically
- Physicians interact directly with patients
- Many practices offer wholesale labs, discounted imaging, or in-office procedures
The Future of Direct Primary Care is Here
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Typical Daily Flow in a DPC Practice (Example)
- 8:00 AM — 45-minute chronic care visit
- 9:00 AM — Secure message follow-ups
- 10:00 AM — Annual wellness visit
- 11:30 AM — Lab reviews + patient updates
- 1:00 PM — Same-day sick visit
- 2:00 PM — Care coordination + refill requests
- 3:00 PM — Virtual visit
This reflects the mix of flexibility, longer visits, and direct patient communication.
The Role of Technology in Direct Primary Care
Most DPC practices rely on simple, efficient technology designed for membership-based workflows:
- Automated patient enrollment
- Membership billing
- Integrated telehealth
- Secure messaging
- Scheduling
- Clinical documentation
Modern DPC software reduces administrative complexity, improves access, and keeps operations lean.
If you’re evaluating tools to support a DPC workflow, review our detailed comparison: Why the Right Direct Primary Care EMR Matters for Physicians.
Why Reporting is Different in DPC?
DPC physicians focus on meaningful metrics—not insurance paperwork.
Key Reporting Areas:
| Focus Area | What Physicians Track |
| Patient outcomes | Chronic disease control, preventive care completion |
| Operational insights | Panel size, retention, visit patterns |
| Financial clarity | Membership growth, churn, recurring revenue |
| Regulatory compliance | State disclosures & membership agreements |
A survey found that 78% of DPC physicians spend under 2 hours/week on reporting, compared to 8+ hours in fee-for-service clinics.
Costs and Membership Pricing in Direct Primary Care
DPC offers transparent and predictable financials:
| Component | Typical Range | Notes |
| Adult Membership Fees | $90–$150/month | Region + included services |
| Child Membership Fees | $25–$50/month | Often bundled |
| Practice Overhead | 30–50% lower | Minimal billing staff |
| Physician Income | Predictable | Based on recurring fees |
Benefits of Direct Primary Care for Physicians & Patients
Direct Primary Care addresses major burnout drivers identified in national physician surveys.
Physician Benefits
- 3–5× more time per patient
- Reduced administrative burden
- Predictable monthly revenue
- Greater physician–patient continuity
- Higher job satisfaction
Patients Benefits
- Same- or next-day visits
- Short wait times
- Direct communication with their physician
- Longer visits and deeper relationships
- Predictable pricing
- Better preventive and chronic care attention
Direct Primary Care vs. Concierge Medicine
A common point of confusion clarified for physicians.
| Focus Area | Direct Primary Care | Concierge Medicine |
| Cost | $50–$150/month | $1,500–$3,500/yr |
| Insurance Billing | None | Frequently billed |
| Panel Size | 300–600 | 600–800 |
| Target Population | Broad access | Higher-income demographic |
Who Should Consider DPC — and Who Should Avoid It
DPC is a strong fit for physicians who:
- Prefer smaller, relationship-driven panels
- Want predictable revenue
- Want autonomy in scheduling and clinical decisions
- Are comfortable with direct communication
- Prefer a low-overhead practice model
DPC may not be ideal for physicians who:
- Prefer high-volume, insurance-based workflows
- Don’t want patient messaging access
- Need large team-based infrastructure
- Prefer specialized rather than continuity-based care
Challenges Physicians Should Expect in Direct Primary Care
- Educating patients about membership-based care
- Managing the early-growth period before reaching ideal membership levels
- Creating awareness in the community
- Handling catastrophic care (patients still need insurance)
- Setting up compliant disclosure documents
Legal & Regulatory Considerations in Direct Primary Care
- Many states classify DPC agreements as non-insurance
- Medicare opt-out required to enroll Medicare patients directly
- Written membership agreements are typically mandatory
- Practices must outline what is and isn’t included
- Some states require annual disclosures
Starting a Direct Primary Care Practice: A 7-Step Overview
- Define membership structure and pricing
- Evaluate panel size, overhead, and financial targets
- Choose practice structure (solo, group, or hybrid)
- Complete Medicare opt-out if necessary
- Select a DPC-focused EHR
- Create an enrollment process and patient communication flow
- Launch, promote, and optimize panel growth
👉 Download our DPC Implementation Guide to learn how to launch your DPC practice successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Direct Primary Care?
A membership-based primary care model where physicians provide comprehensive services directly to patients without insurance billing.
How much does Direct Primary Care typically cost?
Most memberships range from $50–$150 per month depending on services and location.
Is Direct Primary Care the same as concierge medicine?
No—DPC does not bill insurance and offers lower membership fees with smaller panels.
Do DPC physicians bill insurance?
No. Direct Primary Care practices operate outside insurance contracts.
Is Direct Primary Care growing?
Yes, the number of DPC practices has increased year over year and continues expanding across the U.S.
Interested in Exploring DPC for Your Practice?
If you’re evaluating whether Direct Primary Care is right for your workflow, operations, and long-term career satisfaction, you can Book an appointment to see how DPC can change your practice.
