AAFP Direct Primary Care Toolkit: DPC Overview

Direct primary care (DPC) is a payment model that has grown, in large part, from the discipline of family medicine. The model is an alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing. What once was a novel idea in primary care delivery is rapidly becoming a highly sought-after practice design for many family physicians. The DPC model is becoming widely accepted as a primary care delivery model that promotes patient-centered care.

The AAFP recommends this course as a first step in learning more about the DPC model. Other courses in the AAFP DPC Toolkit focus on starting and managing a DPC practice, navigating regulatory issues, and marketing to patients.

At the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define direct primary care (DPC)
• Identify the benefits and risks of practicing in a DPC model
• Recognize key characteristics of a DPC practice