The direct primary care (DPC) model gives family physicians a meaningful alternative to fee-for-service 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 acquire a high-deductible wraparound policy to cover emergencies.
DPC benefits patients by providing substantial savings and a greater degree of access to, and time with, physicians.
DPC allows family physicians to care for the whole person while reducing the overhead and negative incentives associated with fee-for-service third-party-payer billing. Benefits of DPC to physicians include:
Direct primary care and concierge care are not synonymous.
Thinking about implementing the DPC model in your practice? We can help.
Developed by AAFP DPC experts and packed with easy-to-use resources. Now in a mobile-friendly format, featuring a collection of courses focused on key aspects of planning a DPC practice.
Check out the Direct Primary Care Overview
Learn about the basics of the DPC model and get answers to frequently asked questions. Free to Members.
Best value! Purchase the DPC Toolkit: Starter Pack to get access to all four courses, including the DPC Overview.
Join hundreds of primary care physicians and medical practitioners interested in the DPC payment model as they come together for this premier annual event hosted by the AAFP, ACOFP, FMEC, and the DPC Alliance.
Whether you’re new to DPC or ready to take your practice to the next level, you can be a part of an exciting, growing movement that’s revolutionizing patient care.
Designed to change physician competence with respect to care provided to patients in a DPC practice. You will get access to updated information and knowledge for reinforcement that's pertinent to starting, growing, managing, and sustaining an effective DPC practice.
These sessions were presented during the 2022 DPC Summit Conference.
The American Academy of Family Physicians supports the physician and patient choice to, respectively, provide and receive health care in any ethical health care delivery system model, including the DPC practice setting.