Direct primary care: What to know
Learn how this payment model can benefit you and your patients, and how to get started.
What is direct primary care (DPC)?
The direct primary care (DPC) model gives family physicians a meaningful alternative to fee-for-service (FFS) insurance billing, typically by charging patients a monthly, quarterly or annual fee. This fee covers all or most primary care services, including clinical and laboratory services, consultative services, care coordination and comprehensive care management.
Because some services are not covered by a retainer, DPC practices often suggest that patients get a high-deductible, wrap-around policy to cover emergencies.
What are the benefits of direct primary care?
For patients, DPC provides substantial savings and a greater degree of access to, and time with, physicians.
For physicians, DPC maintains standards of care while reducing the overhead and negative incentives associated with FFS, third-party-payer billing. Other benefits of DPC to physicians include:
More time with patients
Simplified revenue structure
Reduced administrative burden
Higher practice satisfaction, reduced burnout
What are my career options in DPC?
Family physicians can be employed by a DPC practice or DPC practice owners. DPC practices have been established in a variety of geographic locations and community types, from rural to urban. DPC practices often serve all income levels and sometimes contract with local employers to provide health care to employees.
Search DPC job openings in family medicine at AAFP CareerLink.
DPC salary and career stats
According to the Career Benchmark Dashboard, family physician in direct primary care settings earned an average full-time income of $288,779 in 2024. Compensation included a mix of base salary, bonus or incentive, or practice revenue share.
The dashboard also provides DPC career information like:
- Job satisfaction
- PTO
- Autonomy
AAFP members can log in for free and filter by geography, years in practice and more.
DPC vs. concierge care
| DPC | Concierge |
| Monthly membership fees paid by patients or, sometimes, the patient’s employer. | Annual patient membership contract with higher fees that can be paid annually or monthly. |
| Patient fees cover extended visits, clinical, lab and consultative services, care coordination and comprehensive care management. | Membership fees cover an in-depth physical exam and screenings. |
| Practices rely solely on patient fees, not accepting insurance or participating in government programs. | May continue to accept insurance plans and government programs and bill patient’s insurance company for covered services. |
| Population often crosses all income and demographic levels | Cater to higher-income populations |
DPC stats
Monthly membership fees for DPC patients generally range from $50 to $100, and the most common procedures requested are electrocardiograms (EKGs) and excisions/biopsies. These and a host of other data points about DPC are available in the downloadable 2024 direct primary care data brief.
Average patient panel size for direct primary care practices
Direct primary care practices that provide same-day appointments
FAQs (and answers)
What is DPC, and how does it differ from traditional FFS models?
DPC is a health care model where family physicians charge patients a flat monthly, quarterly or annual fee covering most primary care services, bypassing traditional insurance billing. This model emphasizes comprehensive care management and care coordination, offering an alternative to FFS insurance billing.
What are the typical monthly costs for patients in a DPC practice?
Monthly membership fees in DPC practices typically range from $50 to $100, covering extended visits, clinical services, lab work and consultative care.
How does DPC benefit family physicians in terms of practice management?
DPC benefits physicians by simplifying revenue structures, reducing administrative burdens, decreasing overhead costs, allowing more time with patients and improving practice satisfaction while lowering burnout rates.
What are the differences between DPC and concierge medicine?
DPC usually involves lower monthly fees, does not bill insurance and covers a broader range of services. Concierge medicine often charges higher annual fees, may bill insurance for covered services and typically caters to higher-income populations.
How can family physicians find employment or start a practice in DPC?
Family physicians can be employed by existing DPC practices or start their own. Resources such as the AAFP CareerLink provide job listings and support for those interested in DPC careers.
What types of services are typically included in a DPC membership?
Services often include extended office visits, clinical and laboratory services, consultative services, care coordination and comprehensive care management. Some services may require additional insurance coverage.
What is the average patient panel size for a DPC practice?
The average patient panel size in DPC practices is approximately 413 patients, allowing for more personalized and accessible care.
Are same-day appointments commonly available in DPC?
Yes, about 99% of DPC practices provide same-day appointments, enhancing patient access and timely care.
What are the common procedures performed in DPC practices?
Popular procedures include EKGs and biopsy/excisions, reflecting the comprehensive nature of care provided in DPC settings.
Do DPC practices accept insurance or government programs?
Typically, DPC practices do not accept insurance or participate in government programs, relying solely on patient membership fees. Patients are often advised to have high-deductible insurance for emergency coverage.