Beyond the Buzzwords: What is another name for direct primary care?

October 1, 2025 •

3 min read

As of 2024, there were over 2,600 direct primary care (DPC) practices operating across every U.S. state, demonstrating the model's growing popularity. If you've heard the term but are unsure, you might be asking: What is another name for direct primary care? The answer is that several terms, such as membership medicine, describe this alternative healthcare model.

Quick Summary

This article explores the various names for direct primary care, such as membership-based, retainer-based, and direct patient care. It explains how this alternative healthcare model functions and outlines its key distinctions from concierge medicine.

Key Points

Another Name for Direct Primary Care: Synonyms for DPC include direct patient care, membership-based medicine, and retainer-based medicine, all referring to the direct financial arrangement between patient and provider.
Membership-Based Model: DPC is built on a subscription model where patients pay a recurring, flat fee directly to the practice for access to comprehensive primary care services.
Insurance Is Not Billed: A key feature of DPC is that practices generally do not bill third-party insurance for the services covered by the membership fee, simplifying billing and reducing administrative work.
DPC vs. Concierge Medicine: DPC is distinct from concierge medicine primarily due to its lower cost and its policy of not billing insurance for primary care, unlike concierge practices which often do.
Need for Additional Insurance: Patients with a DPC membership still need a separate, high-deductible health insurance plan or other coverage for emergencies, specialist visits, and hospitalizations.
Patient Benefits: The model offers significant benefits like extended appointment times, same-day/next-day access, direct communication with physicians, and cost transparency.
Doctor-Patient Relationship: By reducing administrative burden, DPC allows physicians to focus more on patient care, leading to stronger relationships and improved patient satisfaction.

Understanding the Terminology of Direct Primary Care

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a healthcare model where patients pay a recurring membership fee directly to the practice, rather than relying on the traditional fee-for-service system. This model simplifies billing, aims to lower administrative overhead, and focuses on enhancing the doctor-patient relationship. As a result, several terms are used interchangeably with Direct Primary Care, including direct patient care, membership-based medicine, and retainer-based medicine.

Common Names for Direct Primary Care

Direct Primary Care is also known by several other names. These include Direct Patient Care (DPC), which is also a common abbreviation, Membership-Based Medicine, and Retainer-Based Medicine. Other terms used are Cash-Only Practice and Subscription-Based Medicine, reflecting the direct payment structure. The broader term Direct Care also highlights the direct connection between patient and provider.

The Direct Primary Care Model in Detail

A DPC membership typically covers comprehensive primary care services. These services often include extended office visits, preventive care, management of chronic conditions, and acute care appointments. A significant advantage is the improved access patients have to their physicians, frequently via direct communication channels like phone, text, or email. Because DPC doctors usually manage smaller patient populations, they can dedicate more time and offer more personalized care to each patient, often facilitating same-day or next-day appointments.

By minimizing the administrative tasks linked to insurance billing, the DPC model enables physicians to concentrate more on patient care. This approach frequently leads to high levels of satisfaction for both patients and doctors. Furthermore, many DPC practices provide considerable cost reductions for laboratory tests, imaging services, and certain medications.

DPC vs. Concierge Medicine vs. Traditional Care

DPC is often compared to concierge medicine. Both models involve a membership fee, but key distinctions lie in cost and insurance interaction. Concierge medicine generally has a much higher annual fee and often still bills insurance. DPC, on the other hand, features lower monthly fees and typically does not bill insurance for services covered by the membership.


Feature	Direct Primary Care (DPC)	Concierge Medicine	Traditional Fee-for-Service
Payment Model	Monthly or annual membership fee paid directly by the patient/employer.	Higher annual retainer fee, often in addition to insurance billing.	Patient pays copays, deductibles, and coinsurance based on insurance plan for each visit.
Insurance Billing	Typically does not bill insurance for primary care services covered by the fee.	Often bills insurance in addition to the retainer fee.	Bills insurance for all services provided.
Cost	More affordable, with transparent, predictable monthly fees (often $50-$150).	Higher cost, with annual fees ranging from $2,000 to over $10,000.	Costs vary based on insurance plan, deductible, and coverage.
Access	Same-day/next-day appointments, extended visits, direct contact (phone, text) with physician.	Enhanced access, including same-day appointments and 24/7 availability.	Long wait times for appointments and short visits are common.
Patient Panel Size	Smaller patient panels, allowing for more personalized care.	Very small patient panels for high-touch, premium service.	Large patient panels, leading to less individual time with the physician.

The Importance of Supplemental Insurance

It is important to understand that a DPC membership does not replace health insurance. While it covers routine primary care within the practice, it does not cover major medical events like hospitalizations, specialist visits, or emergency services. For this reason, most individuals with DPC memberships also maintain a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) or a separate insurance policy to cover these situations. This combined approach provides comprehensive care for routine needs and financial protection for emergencies.

Conclusion

Terms like direct patient care, membership-based medicine, and retainer-based medicine are often used as synonyms for direct primary care. This healthcare model involves a direct financial and relational agreement between the patient and their physician. DPC offers a more personalized, accessible, and transparent approach to routine healthcare. While supplemental insurance is necessary for major medical events, DPC is a growing alternative. {Link: healthinsurance.org https://www.healthinsurance.org/glossary/direct-primary-care/}

Learn more about Direct Primary Care from the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main difference lies in cost and insurance billing. Direct Primary Care (DPC) is typically more affordable with lower monthly fees and does not bill insurance for the services covered by the membership. Concierge medicine generally has higher annual fees and often continues to bill your insurance for covered services.

Yes. A direct primary care membership is not a substitute for health insurance. It covers routine primary care services within the practice, but you will still need a separate insurance plan, such as a high-deductible plan, to cover emergency care, hospitalizations, and specialty visits.

DPC practices charge a flat, recurring membership fee, usually on a monthly basis, that is paid directly by the patient or their employer. This fee covers most primary care services, eliminating copays and deductibles for those services.

A typical DPC membership covers a range of primary care services, including extended office visits, preventive care, annual physicals, management of chronic diseases, and care for acute illnesses. Many practices also offer discounted or wholesale pricing on lab tests, imaging, and prescriptions.

New legislation passed in 2025 will change this. Starting in 2026, individuals with an HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan can have a DPC membership and contribute to their HSA, provided the DPC fee meets specific requirements.

Patients often experience more accessible, transparent, and personalized care. This includes longer appointment times, same-day or next-day appointments for urgent needs, and direct communication with their physician via phone, text, or email.

Yes, many employers now offer direct primary care memberships as a benefit to their employees. This can be combined with a high-deductible health plan to potentially lower costs and improve employee satisfaction with their healthcare options.