What Is Direct Primary Care and Is It Right for You?

Okay so I get this question a lot, and honestly I love it because it means people are actually curious about a better way to do healthcare. So let me just break it down in plain English.

If you've ever sat on hold for 20 minutes just to schedule an appointment, waited 6 weeks to be seen for something that took your doctor 8 minutes to address, or left a visit feeling like you barely got to say what you came to say... you're not alone. That's just how the traditional system works. And it's kind of a bummer.

Direct primary care (DPC) is a different approach. And it's one I genuinely believe in, which is why I built my whole practice around it.

So What Actually Is DPC?

At its core, DPC is a membership model. You pay a flat monthly fee, and in return you get real, direct access to your provider. No copays when you come in, no surprise bills, no navigating a phone tree just to ask a simple question.

At Staywell, that monthly membership covers your visits (in-person or telehealth), your annual lab panel, and the ability to text or message me directly. Like, actually me. Not a nurse who passes it to an MA who puts in a message that maybe gets seen in 3 days. Me.

How Is It Different from Regular Primary Care?

The big thing is time and access. In a traditional insurance-based practice, providers often see 20 or more patients a day just to keep the lights on. That math doesn't leave a lot of room for actually getting to know someone.

In a DPC practice like mine, I keep my patient panel intentionally small so I can actually show up for people. Here's what that looks like in practice:

• Appointments are 30 to 60 minutes, not 10
• You can usually get in same day or next day
• You text or message me directly when something comes up
• Labs and in-office procedures are available at significantly reduced costs
• No insurance billing drama on the primary care side. If you use insurance for prescriptions and a prior authorization is needed, I handle that on your behalf.

Is DPC Right for You?

Honestly? It works really well for a lot of different people. It tends to be a great fit if you:

• Want a provider who actually remembers who you are between visits
• Are managing a chronic condition and want proactive, ongoing support
• Are self-employed, uninsured, or just tired of your insurance making healthcare harder
• Are generally healthy and just want solid preventive care without the hassle
• Have a family and want everyone covered by someone who knows your family

Families are honestly one of my favorite things about DPC. Adding kids to a membership is very affordable, and there's something really special about being able to care for multiple generations in the same family. I love that stuff.

What DPC Does Not Cover

I want to be upfront here because I think transparency matters. DPC is not a replacement for insurance. If you end up needing surgery, a hospital stay, or specialist care, you will still need some kind of major medical coverage for that. What DPC covers is the primary care layer, which is the everyday stuff that honestly makes up the majority of most people's healthcare needs.

Want to See If It's a Good Fit?

The easiest way to figure out if DPC is right for you is just to have a conversation. I offer a free 15-minute virtual meet and greet where you can ask whatever you want, get a feel for how I work, and decide if it clicks. No pressure at all. I promise I do not bite.

---