Direct Primary Care —
the official AAFP
definition.

Starting with the source: what DPC actually is, what it covers, what patients still need insurance for, and why it has formal AAFP policy backing.

Source: AAFP Policy on Direct Primary Care · aafp.org/about/policies/all/direct-primary-care.html

The definition

In AAFP's own words

"The Direct Primary Care (DPC) model is 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. DPC practices typically charge patients a flat monthly or annual fee, under terms of a contract, in exchange for access to a broad range of primary care and medical administrative services."

— AAFP Policy on Direct Primary Care, September 2024

DPC replaces per-visit billing with a membership structure. Patients pay a flat monthly or annual fee and receive comprehensive primary care access in exchange. No copays. No per-visit billing. No prior authorizations.

This is not concierge medicine. Concierge practices layer a retainer fee on top of insurance billing. DPC removes insurance from the primary care equation entirely.

AAFP formal endorsement

Three pillars of AAFP's backing

Officially endorsed

The AAFP explicitly supports physician and patient choice to provide and receive healthcare in the DPC setting. Formal policy — updated September 2024.

CME credit provided

The AAFP provides CME credit for members transitioning to the DPC model and promotes it as an innovative advanced practice model.

Relationship-centered by design

AAFP characterizes DPC as structured to emphasize the intrinsic power of the physician-patient relationship to improve outcomes and lower costs.

Read the full policy: aafp.org/about/policies/all/direct-primary-care.html

What's included

What DPC covers — and what patients still need insurance for

$50–150/mo

Typical DPC membership per adult. No copays, no per-visit fees, no surprise billing.

No copaysNo per-visit feesNo surprise billingWholesale labs & meds

What DPC covers

Unlimited primary care visits — no per-visit fee
Same-day or next-day appointment access
Direct physician contact: phone, text, secure message
After-hours access when clinically appropriate
Preventive care and wellness visits
Chronic disease management
Acute illness and minor injury care
Wholesale or deeply discounted labs, imaging, medications
Care coordination with specialists and hospitals
No coding, no billing, no prior authorization

Patients still need insurance for

Hospitalization and emergency care
Surgical procedures
Specialist and subspecialty care
Cancer treatment
High-cost specialty medications
Long-term care
Complex imaging at specialized facilities
Mental health intensive services
Catastrophic illness coverage

Most DPC patients pair their membership with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP). The membership handles day-to-day care. The HDHP covers catastrophic needs. Total costs are often lower than traditional insurance + copays.

DPC vs. concierge medicine

They are not the same thing.

Feature	Fee-for-Service / Concierge	Direct Primary Care
Payment model	Insurance billed; retainer optional	Membership replaces insurance billing entirely
Insurance role	Still billed for visits	Not involved in primary care
Typical monthly fee	$150–$300+ (concierge) or per-visit	$50–$150 per adult
Admin burden	High — coding, billing, prior auth	Minimal — no insurance billing
AAFP formal backing	None	Formally endorsed, September 2024