Guides · Finding care

How to find direct primary care near you

To find a direct primary care (DPC) doctor near you, search for DPC or membership primary care practices in your area, then call two or three and compare their fee, what it includes and how fast you can be seen. Ask friends, coworkers and your pharmacist for names too.

Before you join, get the membership agreement in writing. Typical DPC fees run $50 to $100 a month for adults, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and you'll still need a plan for emergencies and hospital care.

Updated · Facts checked against the sources listed below

Where to look

  • Web and map search: try "direct primary care", "DPC" or "membership primary care" with your city or ZIP code.
  • People you trust: MedlinePlus suggests asking friends and relatives, your pharmacist or dentist, and your state medical association for names.
  • Your employer: some employers contract with DPC practices for their staff.
  • Your health plan: some Marketplace plans provide coverage through a direct primary care medical home. Ask the insurer.

MedlinePlus also notes you can often meet a potential provider before you commit, sometimes at no cost.

Questions to ask a DPC practice

  1. What is the monthly fee, and is there a sign-up fee or minimum term?
  2. What does the fee include? Visits, messaging, virtual visits, which labs, any procedures.
  3. What costs extra? Ask for prices on labs, medications and procedures.
  4. How fast can I be seen? Same-day or next-day visits, and who covers when the doctor is away.
  5. How many patients does the doctor have? A smaller panel can mean more time per visit.
  6. Do you bill insurance for anything? Pure DPC practices don't; hybrid practices do.
  7. Who provides care? For HSA rules, the practitioner must be a primary care physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant.
  8. How do I cancel?

Signs it's a good fit

MedlinePlus suggests weighing how easily you can reach the provider, whether the office hours work for you, and whether the provider invites you to be part of decisions about your care. Also think about style: some doctors order more tests or refer more often than others.

If you use an HSA, check that the arrangement qualifies under IRS Notice 2026-5 and that all your DPC fees total $150 a month or less for one person ($300 for more). See HSA and direct primary care.

If there's no DPC practice near you

DPC practices aren't everywhere. Virtual primary care is another way to get a regular clinician without a long drive. Gabriel Core includes unlimited virtual urgent care for $49 per adult a month, kids under 18 included, plus unlimited virtual primary care. Gabriel Plus, $89, adds two in-person urgent care visits a year.

For non-emergency problems when you can't reach your doctor, MedlinePlus says an urgent care center is usually a better choice than an emergency room. For chest pain, trouble breathing or signs of a stroke, call 911.

Common questions

How do I find a direct primary care doctor near me?

Search for direct primary care or membership primary care with your city or ZIP code, ask people you trust for names, and check whether your employer or health plan works with a DPC practice.

What should I ask before joining a direct primary care practice?

Ask about the fee, sign-up costs, what's included, what costs extra, how fast you can be seen, whether they bill insurance, and how to cancel.

How much does a direct primary care doctor cost?

The AAFP says DPC fees generally range from $50 to $100 a month. Each practice sets its own price.

Can I meet a direct primary care doctor before joining?

Often, yes. MedlinePlus notes you can often interview a potential provider, sometimes at no cost.

What if there's no direct primary care practice in my area?

Virtual primary care is an option. Some memberships include unlimited virtual primary care visits; Gabriel Core and Plus include unlimited virtual urgent care, plus unlimited virtual primary care.

Sources

  1. Choosing a primary care provider MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
  2. Direct Primary Care Model for Family Physicians American Academy of Family Physicians
  3. Pondering direct primary care? 10 potential benefits and drawbacks American Medical Association
  4. Notice 2026-5: direct primary care service arrangements and HSAs 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.