Comparison
Direct primary care vs. concierge medicine
They sound alike, and both give you more time with your doctor. The difference is mostly in how you pay.
Key takeaways
- Both models limit patient numbers and charge a membership, but most concierge practices also bill your insurance.
- DPC does not bill insurance at all: no copays, no bills after a visit, and usually a lower price.
- Every practice sets its own rules, so ask how it bills and what the fee covers.
People often ask me whether direct primary care is the same thing as concierge medicine. Both models limit how many patients a doctor cares for, and both charge a membership fee. That's where much of the similarity ends.
How concierge medicine usually works
A concierge practice charges an annual or monthly retainer for access to the doctor. In most concierge practices, the doctor also bills your insurance for each visit, so you may still pay copays and deductibles on top of the retainer. Retainers vary widely, and many concierge practices are built for patients who want a premium experience.
How direct primary care works
A direct primary care practice like Peak Health does not bill insurance at all. Your monthly membership is the payment for your primary care. There are no copays and no bills after a visit. Because there is no billing department, the overhead is lower, and DPC memberships are usually priced to be affordable for ordinary families.
Side by side
| Direct primary care | Concierge medicine (typical) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | A flat monthly membership | An annual or monthly retainer |
| Bills your insurance for visits | No | Usually yes |
| Copays for visits | None | Often, depending on your plan |
| Direct access to your doctor | Yes | Yes |
| Labs and medications | Often at close to wholesale cost | Usually billed through insurance |
| Who it's built for | Everyday families, individuals and small businesses | Often patients who want a premium service |
Every practice sets its own rules, so ask any practice you're considering how it bills and what the fee covers.
Why I chose direct primary care
I want my care to be within reach of a teacher, a mechanic or a young military family, not only people who can afford a large retainer. Taking insurance billing out of primary care is what lets me spend real time with each patient and keep prices plain. That's the practice I'm building in Colorado Springs.
DPC is still not health insurance. Read Do I still need health insurance with DPC? to see how the two fit together.
Questions about DPC and concierge care
Is direct primary care the same as concierge medicine?
They are similar, but DPC usually costs much less and does not bill insurance at all. Concierge practices often charge a large annual fee and also bill your insurance for visits.
Does a DPC practice bill my insurance for visits?
Peak Health does not. Direct primary care practices are paid by their members, not by insurance. Many concierge practices, by contrast, charge a retainer and also bill insurance.
Is direct primary care only for wealthy patients?
No. DPC memberships are usually priced to be affordable for everyday families, because there is no insurance billing to pay for.
Join the waitlist
Peak Health is not open yet. It opens for direct primary care in Colorado Springs after Dr. Bennett's Army service ends. People on the waitlist hear first and are offered membership first.
No payment and no commitment.