Direct Primary Care: Practice Distribution and Cost Across the Nation

Abstract

Direct primary care (DPC) is an emerging practice alternative that (1) eliminates traditional third-party fee-for-service billing and (2) charges patients a periodic fee for primary care services. We describe the DPC model by identifying DPC practices across the United States; distinguish it from other practice arrangements, such as the "concierge" practice; and describe the model's pricing using data compiled from existing DPC practices across the United States. Lower price points and a broad distribution of DPC practices were confirmed, but data about quality are lacking.

Keywords: Fees and Charges; Health Care Costs; Health Services Accessibility, Patient-Centered Care; Primary Health Care.