What is direct primary care?
Direct primary care (DPC) offers the full range of primary care — acute and urgent care, preventive care, chronic disease management, and care coordination — for a flat, recurring membership fee, typically billed monthly. DPC does not rely on insurance.
In simple terms: instead of insurance being the middleman for everyday primary care, you pay the practice directly for the services included in your membership.
What a DPC membership usually includes
- Primary care visits
- Longer, more personalized appointments
- Same-day or next-day appointments when available
- Preventive care and chronic disease management
- Secure messaging or phone access to your physician
- Care coordination
The exact services and pricing vary by practice. Here is what NikhareMD includes.
DPC compared with traditional primary care
| Traditional, insurance-based | Direct primary care |
|---|---|
| Shorter appointments that may not cover every problem | Extended appointments and personalized care |
| Longer wait times | Same-day or next-day visits |
| The practice bills insurance for visits | You pay the practice directly |
| Copays and deductibles may apply | Membership covers included services |
| Unexpected or surprise bills | Transparent billing |
| Phone trees and portals | Direct access to your physician |
| Insurance is central to payment | Your relationship with your doctor is central |
DPC doesn’t mean “no insurance”
You can have health insurance and belong to a DPC practice. Insurance is still valuable for what DPC generally doesn’t cover:
- Hospitalization
- Emergency care
- Specialist care
- Surgery
- Advanced imaging
- Certain laboratory services
- Other major medical expenses
Many members pair DPC for primary care with insurance for major or catastrophic care.
Experience the difference
Simple, compassionate, personalized care — built around you.