Primary care
Concierge Medicine vs Direct Primary Care
Both models skip insurance billing for routine access — but membership perks, pricing, and hospital ties differ. Here is how to tell them apart.
Shared idea: membership over fee-for-service
Concierge medicine and direct primary care (DPC) both charge a recurring membership or retainer for enhanced access to a physician. Appointments are longer, messaging is easier, and you are usually not fighting for 8-minute slots. Many practices still recommend keeping catastrophic insurance for hospital care.
Neither label is tightly regulated marketing-wise — read what each clinic actually includes before you join.
Concierge medicine — what it usually looks like
Concierge practices often sit inside or adjacent to health systems. You pay an annual fee ($2,000–$10,000+ in major metros) for same-day visits, extended physicals, coordination with specialists, and white-glove scheduling. Some still bill insurance for visits on top of the retainer; others are retainer-only for primary care.
Search our directory for concierge physicians by city if you want local options with self-pay or hybrid access.
Direct primary care — what it usually looks like
DPC clinics typically charge a flat monthly fee ($75–$150 per adult is common) for unlimited primary care visits, basic procedures in the office, and direct messaging. They usually do not accept insurance for the membership visit itself, which cuts overhead and paperwork.
DPC is strong for families and chronic-condition monitoring when you want a consistent doctor relationship without per-visit copays.
How to choose
- List what you need: chronic disease management, pediatrics, women’s health, executive physical, or mainly urgent primary access.
- Ask what is *not* included: imaging, labs, hospital admission, after-hours house calls.
- Confirm hospital affiliations if you have preferred surgeons or maternity plans.
- Trial the communication workflow — portal, text, phone — before you commit annually.
- Compare total cost: retainer + insurance premium + expected labs vs a high-deductible plan alone.
Use the concierge medicine and direct primary care directories, or browse by city: Denver, Austin, Miami.
FAQ
Can I keep my employer insurance with concierge or DPC?
Usually yes for hospital and specialist coverage. The membership covers primary access; you may still need insurance for everything else.
Is concierge the same as boutique medicine?
Marketing terms overlap. Focus on fee structure, panel size (patients per doctor), and included services.
Does DPC replace health insurance?
Not for catastrophic risk. Most DPC physicians recommend a major medical plan or health-share arrangement alongside membership.