Direct Primary Care vs Concierge Medicine: What’s the difference?
In the evolving landscape of healthcare, two models stand out for their unique approach to patient care are Concierge Care and Direct Primary Care (DPC). Both direct primary care and concierge medicine offer patients peace of mind in knowing they can receive personalized, preventive care they want at any time, but with key differences in cost and financial models. This blog post will explore differences and help you decide what is the right fit for you. But first, let’s define the two.
Concierge Medicine:
Concierge medicine is a membership-based primary care service that emphasizes proactive and preventive care. Unlike traditional primary care, concierge medicine charges for an annual membership fee which can range from around $2,000/year to as much as $25,000 for one year. With this fee, you get a physician who knows you well and is available 24/7!
Direct Primary Care
Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers a similar focus on personalized, preventive and proactive care as concierge medicine, but with a key difference in cost. Unlike concierge medicine, DPC typically does not accept insurance and relies solely on patient fees. This allows them to keep membership fees lower, often ranging from $30 to $100 per month.
| Feature | Concierge Care | Direct Primary Care (DPC) |
| Financial Structure | Annual retainer fee + co-pays + Insurance | Monthly membership fee (no insurance) |
| Cost | More Expensive ($2,000 – $6,000 annually) | More Affordable ($30 – $100 monthly) |
| Services Offered | Premium Primary Care (24/7 access, extended appointments), high-dollar pharmacies and hospitals for meds and testing | Primary Care (preventive, chronic disease management, acute care); Wholesale pricing on labs, imaging and medicine, extended visits and same-day appointments |
| Patient Population | Wealthier patients seeking convenience | Wider range of patients |
Why Doctors Recommend Direct Primary Care
- Cost: DPC is typically more affordable than concierge care. Patients pay a predictable monthly fee, eliminating the double-whammy of concierge retainer fees and regular health insurance costs.
- Focus on Core Care: DPC emphasizes preventive care, chronic disease management, and treatment of common illnesses. While valuable, some patients might not need the extensive amenities offered by concierge services (24/7 access, house calls).
- Transparency: DPC offers clear pricing with a flat monthly fee. This removes the complexity of co-pays, deductibles, and surprise bills.
- Similar Doctor-Patient Relationship: Both DPC and concierge medicine promote strong doctor-patient relationships with longer appointment times and better access to your doctor. However, DPC might be a better fit for patients who prioritize affordability without sacrificing quality care.
Why Choose an Elevated Health Membership
With a Direct Patient Care Elevated Health Membership, you get:
- Full access to doctors in and out of the office
- No insurance required: No copays, deductibles, or office visit fees
- Telemedicine services included
- Wholesale medications dispensed in-house
- Lab, x-ray, and ultrasound on-site
- Extended, relaxed visits
- Same-day and next-day appointments
- Procedures included
- Discounted specialist care
There are so many other benefits that DPC offers besides these. Elevated Health in Huntington Beach & Redding, California, employs a number of well-educated and decorated doctors to ensure every patient is seen in a timely manner. Make your health a priority and get a direct primary care membership with Elevated Health today.
