What Is Direct Primary Care?DPC in the USA
The Future of Primary Care
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership model where patients pay a monthly fee for personalized, accessible, convenient, and affordable primary care.
Better Access.
Stronger Relationships.
Better Healthcare.
What Is DPC?
Members typically get:
Unlimited office visits
Same/next-day appointments
Telehealth & text access
Reduced cost labs & preventive care
More time with your doctor
DPC is not health insurance.
DPC is an excellent option for individuals without health insurance who need affordable, high-quality primary care.
It can also be paired with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), allowing patients to use their insurance for major medical events, hospitalizations, surgeries, and specialty care, while relying on their DPC membership for everyday routine healthcare needs.
For many patients with high deductible health plans, DPC provides affordable routine health care while helping reduce overall out-of-pocket health care costs throughout the year before patients ever reach their insurance deductible.
A Brief History & Timeline
Early 2000s — Origins
DPC emerged as a reaction to physician burnout, insurance paperwork, shorter visits, and fee-for-service medicine.
Mid-2000s — Early Pioneers
Independent doctors began offering subscription-based care focused on relationships, not insurance.
2010–2015 — Legal Recognition & Early Growth
States clarified DPC is not insurance, and the ACA acknowledged DPC arrangements in certain contexts.
2015–2020 — Expansion Phase
Rapid growth as more doctors and employers sought lower-cost, higher-quality care. DPC practices grew from ~500 in 2015 to over 1,200 by 2020.
2020–2023 — COVID Era Acceleration
Pandemic increased demand for virtual care, faster access, and continuity. By mid-2023, there were 2,100+ DPC practices across most U.S. states.
2024–2026 — Mainstream Momentum
DPC continues strong growth. Practice sites grew 83% and clinicians 78% from 2018–2023. Membership grew 800%+ from 2017–2025. New tax law now allows eligible patients to use HSAs and FSAs toward Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership costs, accelerating adoption.
At Pure Access Health, we believe healthcare should be simple, personal, and always focused on you.
Better Care. More Time. Real Relationships.
That's the Pure Access Health Difference.