If you’re starting to see the term Direct Primary Care (DPC) more, and you’re not sure how it fits into the long list of healthcare-related terms, you’re not alone.

At a glance, the goal of Direct Primary Care is like any other primary care goal: Meet you as a patient, understand your needs and keep you healthy. It’s the aim of all healthcare providers, right? But with Direct Primary Care popping up more and more these days, let’s dive into the specifics of what it is within the healthcare landscape, including how technology best supports these types of practices.

Trend or trendsetter?

The American Academy of Family Physicians defines DPC as “a practice and payment model where patients pay their physician or practice directly in the form of periodic payments for a defined set of primary care services.” Nearly all DPC clinics offer same-day or next-day appointments, and the model often includes longer visits and more frequent touchpoints, making it easier for both patients and providers to connect around the patient’s goals and needs.

At its core, primary care is about building relationships, promoting wellness and managing chronic conditions over time. DPC supports these goals by removing many of the common barriers, such as visit-based copays or insurance preauthorization and making it easier for patients to access care more frequently when they need it.

At its core, primary care is about building relationships, promoting wellness and managing chronic conditions over time.

Just to note, DPC is not the same as concierge care. Both models operate on a membership-fee basis, but concierge practices typically charge significantly higher fees and may bill insurance in addition to the membership cost. Concierge care often includes added conveniences like 24/7 physician access, same-day visits, and hospital care coordination, which may appeal to patients seeking a highly tailored experience. DPC, while generally more affordable, also prioritizes strong patient–provider relationships, easy access and continuity of care. By removing financial and time constraints, DPC helps create more space for meaningful interactions, which is part of what makes the model increasingly attractive to both patients and providers.

Why is DPC changing healthcare?

DPC means it is direct, primary care. This takes healthcare in a new direction by navigating the setting without insurance providers. Patients, in turn, benefit from having a DPC practice because the contract fee covers the cost of many primary care services furnished within the practice. This effectively removes any additional financial barriers the patient may encounter in accessing routine primary care, including preventative, wellness and chronic care services.

This model, also allowing for more time together, can bring patients closer to their providers, which is the goal of healthcare relationships. Outcomes, big and small, can happen as a result of this relationship. According to a study published in The Journal of Health and Medical Economics, DPC members with diabetes were 32% more likely to have controlled blood pressure compared to patients in traditional PPO plans.

The momentum behind the model

The number of DPC clinics in the United States has grown significantly over the past decade, increasing from around 100 in 2014 to well over 1,500 by 2024, according to the DPC Frontier Mapper. This tenfold growth reflects rising interest from both patients and providers in models that prioritize time, trust and transparency.

The right tools

As is true across the healthcare landscape, delivering excellent care in DPC settings requires the right tools. These independent practices need solutions that help them operate efficiently while maintaining their personalized, high-touch approach. We designed (and continue to refine) TouchWorks® EHR to meet this need. If you’d like to learn more about TouchWorks, I encourage checking out our page.