The Direct Primary Care model: What is It?

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a rapidly growing health care model where employers pay a flat monthly fee per employee, for membership in a primary care network of clinics and Physicians. 

The Direct Primary Care Coalition https://www.dpcare.org/  describes Direct Primary Care (DPC) as “an innovative alternative payment model improving access to high functioning healthcare with a simple, flat, affordable membership fee.”

Direct Primary Care memberships are for routine medical care provided by a GP, Family Physician or Internist.  This can include same-day or next-day appointments and laboratory services.  Some DPC networks also provide care coordination and comprehensive care management.

In DPC,  the focus is on the care provider and the patient, rather than having the insurance company as a middle-man. Patients are not responsible for co-pays, co-insurance or out of pocket expense for in-network services.  The care model also gets rid of the need for an insurance company to approve certain medications and procedures. Instead, the doctor chooses what is best for their patient, and the patient receives the care they need.

DPC membership rates are generally between $50 to $150 a month per employee.  As far as the membership fee for employers, the employer chooses how much they want to share in costs, from 100% or just the administrative service fee.

Direct Primary Care is not health insurance.  At minimum it is suggested that employees acquire a high-deductible health insurance policy to cover emergencies.