DPC rewards family physicians for emphasizing patient care while reducing the overhead and negative incentives associated with fee-for-service, third-party-payer billing.
What is direct primary care?
The direct primary care payment model gives family physicians a meaningful alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing, typically by charging patients a monthly, quarterly or annual fee (i.e., a retainer) that covers all or most primary care services, including clinical, laboratory and consultative services as well as care coordination and comprehensive care management.
Because some services are not covered by a retainer, DPC practices often suggest that patients acquire a high-deductible wraparound policy to cover emergencies.
Benefits of DPC for physicians and patients
DPC benefits patients by providing substantial savings and a greater degree of access to, and time with, physicians.
“If I hadn't discovered DPC, I might have left medicine altogether. Now I can't imagine practicing any other way.”
The AAFP supports the physician and patient choice to provide and receive health care in any ethical health care delivery system model, including the DPC practice setting. Direct primary care rewards family physicians for emphasizing patient care while reducing the overhead and negative incentives associated with fee-for-service, third-party-payer billing.
Physician burnout and practice satisfaction
94%
Nearly all respondents from a 2024 direct primary care study indicated they were satisfied with their overall practice, which is significantly higher than those not practicing in a DPC practice.
