What Is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a patient-first model of medicine that restores the sacred doctor–patient relationship by removing insurance middlemen, fee-for-service quotas, and third-party bureaucracy.
Healthcare Focused on You, Not Insurance Companies
In Direct Primary Care, patients partner directly with their physician through an affordable, transparent monthly membership fee. Because the doctor does not bill insurance for routine visits, they are free to practice medicine the way it was meant to be practiced.
Unhurried Visits
Appointments last 30 to 60 minutes or longer. Physicians have the time to listen thoroughly, explore root causes, and craft individualized care plans rather than rushing to the next exam room.
Direct Doctor Access
Connect with your actual doctor directly via phone, text, email, or telehealth. Enjoy same-day or next-day availability when acute medical needs or unexpected questions arise.
Transparent Pricing
No hidden fees, no unexpected co-pays, and no surprise bills arriving 6 months later. Transparent membership pricing covers all primary care visits, with deeply discounted wholesale labs and medications.
Clinical Autonomy
Medical decisions are made strictly between you and your trusted physician based on scientific evidence and your personal goals — never dictated by insurance claims adjusters or billing algorithms.
Direct Care vs. Traditional Fee-For-Service
See how direct primary care fundamentally transforms the healthcare experience for North Carolina patients and doctors.
Traditional Insurance-Based Care
Fee-For-Service Clinic System
- Rushed 8–15 minute visits focused primarily on billing code documentation
- Massive patient rosters (2,500+ patients per doctor) leading to weeks or months waiting for routine appointments
- Prior authorization rejections, formulary step-therapy, and corporate bean counters dictating your care
- Unpredictable copays, deductibles, hospital facility fees, and surprise bills mailed months later
- Physician burnout, high doctor turnover, and automated phone tree hurdles
Direct Care Model (DPC)
Relationship-Based Healthcare
- Extended 30–60 minute comprehensive appointments with zero rushing or keyboard staring
- Intimate patient panels (300–600 patients maximum) ensuring true same-day or next-day appointments
- Care decisions made purely between you and your physician without insurance denials
- Predictable flat monthly membership covering all primary care with $0 co-pays and 80–90% wholesale lab discounts
- Restored joy of medicine for doctors and dramatically better health outcomes for North Carolina families
Frequently Asked Questions About DPC in NC
Do I still need health insurance if I have DPC?
Yes. Direct Primary Care covers 85–90% of your day-to-day healthcare needs (annual physicals, acute illness, chronic condition management, joint injections, wellness visits). However, we recommend pairing DPC with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), major medical policy, or medical cost sharing community for rare catastrophic events such as hospitalizations, major surgeries, or specialized oncology care.
How much does Direct Primary Care cost in North Carolina?
Most North Carolina DPC practices charge between $65 and $115 per month for adults, with discounts for children ($30–$50/mo) and families. There are no copays or deductibles for visits. Members also gain access to wholesale laboratory tests (e.g., $5 lipid panels or $8 HbA1c tests) and direct-at-cost generic medication dispensing.
What is the difference between DPC and Concierge Medicine?
While both offer personalized attention, concierge medicine typically bills insurance on top of a hefty annual fee ($2,500–$10,000/yr). Direct Primary Care does not bill insurance at all and is designed to be affordable for the working class, self-employed, small business owners, and everyday families ($800–$1,200/yr total).
Why is North Carolina a pioneer in the DPC movement?
North Carolina is home to some of the earliest and most respected DPC practices in the nation, including Dr. Brian Forrest's Access Healthcare in Apex (founded in 2001). NC now boasts over 90 direct care clinics statewide.
Ready to Find Your North Carolina DPC Doctor?
Explore our verified physician directory to browse clinics across Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, Wilmington, Asheville, and more.