Typical direct primary care fees
| Who | Typical monthly fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | $50 to $100 | AAFP; AMA (June 2026) |
| Children | $20 to $50 | AMA (June 2026) |
Many practices price by age, and some offer a family rate. Ask for the full price list before you join.
What the fee usually includes, and what costs extra
The AAFP says the fee covers services such as extended visits, clinical and lab services, and care coordination. Each practice decides the details. Ask about:
- Visits: how many, how long, and whether same-day or next-day visits are included.
- Messaging and virtual visits: whether you can text, call or video the doctor.
- Labs: which tests are included and what others cost.
- Medications: whether the practice dispenses any, and at what price.
- Sign-up fees and contract length: whether there is an enrollment fee or a minimum term.
Hybrid practices bill insurance on top of the monthly fee, the AMA notes, so you may pay both. Pure DPC practices don't bill insurance at all.
Your real yearly cost
Add up three things: the DPC fee, the premium for any health plan you keep, and your expected out-of-pocket costs outside the practice. The IRS says DPC fees don't count toward a high deductible health plan's deductible or out-of-pocket maximum (Notice 2026-5, Q-16).
For HSA owners: since January 2026, qualifying DPC fees can be paid from an HSA, and arrangements that total $150 a month or less for one person ($300 for more than one) don't block HSA contributions. The IRS kept those limits the same for 2027 (Rev. Proc. 2026-24). See HSA and direct primary care.
How it compares with Gabriel Core and Plus
Gabriel Core costs $49 per adult a month, kids under 18 included, cancel anytime. It includes unlimited virtual urgent care, unlimited virtual primary care and member prices close to cost on lab tests, supplements, prescriptions and bioregulators. Gabriel Plus, $89, adds two in-person urgent care visits a year and your first root-cause visit on us (up to $200, from your fourth month, or right away on yearly billing).
A DPC practice gives you one local doctor's office. Core and Plus are built around virtual urgent care, virtual primary care and member pricing. Neither is health insurance, and Gabriel is not an insurer.
Common questions
How much does direct primary care cost per month?
The AAFP says DPC fees generally range from $50 to $100 a month for adults. The AMA reports $20 to $50 a month for children.
Is direct primary care cheaper than insurance?
It isn't a replacement for insurance. It covers primary care only, so most people still need a plan for emergencies, hospital care and specialists.
Do direct primary care fees count toward my deductible?
No. The IRS says DPC fees don't count toward a high deductible health plan's deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Can I pay for direct primary care with my HSA?
Since January 2026, IRS rules allow HSA funds to pay qualifying DPC fees. Check with your plan administrator or a tax advisor.
Are labs included in direct primary care?
Often some are. The AAFP says fees can cover clinical and lab services, but each practice decides which tests are included, so ask for the list.
Sources
- Direct Primary Care Model for Family Physicians American Academy of Family Physicians
- Pondering direct primary care? 10 potential benefits and drawbacks American Medical Association
- Notice 2026-5: direct primary care service arrangements and HSAs Internal Revenue Service
- Revenue Procedure 2026-24: 2027 HSA and DPC inflation adjusted amounts Internal Revenue Service
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a visit with a licensed clinician. Gabriel membership is not health insurance.