Guides · Finding care

What is direct primary care?

Direct primary care (DPC) is a membership with a primary care practice: you pay a flat monthly, quarterly or yearly fee, and it covers all or most of your primary care. Most DPC practices don't bill insurance for the services the fee covers.

DPC is not health insurance. It doesn't pay for hospital stays, emergencies or specialists, so the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) notes that DPC practices often suggest pairing it with a high-deductible policy for emergencies.

Updated · Facts checked against the sources listed below

How direct primary care works

The AAFP describes DPC as an alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing. Instead of a charge per visit, you pay the practice a set fee.

  • One fee: usually monthly, though some practices bill quarterly or yearly.
  • What it typically covers: visits, some clinical and lab services, and care coordination. Each practice sets its own list.
  • No insurance billing for covered services: the AAFP says DPC practices typically don't accept insurance or take part in government programs for membership services.
  • Pure or hybrid: the AMA notes that pure practices take no insurance at all, while hybrid practices bill insurance on top of the monthly fee.

What it costs

The AAFP says DPC membership fees generally range from $50 to $100 a month. The AMA (June 2026) puts typical fees at $20 to $50 a month for children and $50 to $100 for adults. Ask each practice for its exact fee and what costs extra. See direct primary care cost for more detail.

What direct primary care doesn't cover

A DPC fee pays for primary care, not everything else. You will still need a way to pay for:

  • Emergency room visits and hospital stays.
  • Specialists, surgery and advanced imaging.
  • Prescription drugs and any lab work the practice doesn't include.
  • Care when you're traveling far from the practice, unless it offers virtual visits.

That's why many DPC members also carry a health plan. See is direct primary care insurance?

Is direct primary care worth it?

It depends on how you use care. DPC tends to fit people who want easy access to one primary care team and predictable costs. The AMA notes physicians say transparent pricing helps patients budget, while critics say the fee can limit access for people who can't afford it.

  • Likely a good fit: you see a primary care doctor several times a year, manage an ongoing condition, or have a high deductible.
  • Maybe not: you rarely need care and your plan already covers primary care visits with a low copay.
  • Check first: whether the fee affects your HSA. Since January 2026, IRS rules let qualifying DPC arrangements sit alongside an HSA. See HSA and direct primary care.

Gabriel Core and Plus are a different model: $49 or $89 per adult a month, kids under 18 included, with unlimited virtual urgent care and unlimited virtual primary care; Plus adds two in-person urgent care visits a year. Like DPC, they are memberships, not health insurance.

Common questions

What is direct primary care?

A membership with a primary care practice. You pay a flat fee, usually monthly, that covers all or most of your primary care, and the practice usually doesn't bill insurance for those services.

Is direct primary care the same as insurance?

No. It covers primary care only. You still need a way to pay for emergencies, hospital care and specialists, which is why many members also keep a health plan.

How much does direct primary care cost?

The AAFP says fees generally range from $50 to $100 a month. The AMA reports $20 to $50 a month for children is common.

Can I use my HSA for direct primary care?

Since January 2026, IRS rules allow HSA funds to pay qualifying DPC fees, and qualifying arrangements of up to $150 a month for one person don't block HSA contributions. Check with your plan administrator or a tax advisor.

What's the difference between direct primary care and concierge medicine?

The AAFP says DPC fees are usually lower and DPC practices usually don't bill insurance, while concierge practices charge higher fees and may still bill insurance for covered services.

Sources

  1. Direct Primary Care Model for Family Physicians American Academy of Family Physicians
  2. Pondering direct primary care? 10 potential benefits and drawbacks American Medical Association
  3. Treasury, IRS provide guidance on new tax benefits for health savings account participants Internal Revenue Service
  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.