Direct Primary Care

Direct Primary Care vs. Concierge Medicine: What’s the Difference?

Direct Primary Care (DPC) and concierge medicine are often mentioned together because both give you closer access to a primary care team than a typical insurance-based practice. The biggest difference is how you pay.

How concierge medicine works

Concierge practices typically charge a membership or retainer fee for extra access, such as same-day appointments or a direct phone line. Many also keep billing your insurance for the visits themselves, so you may pay the fee plus copays and deductibles.

How Direct Primary Care works

DPC practices charge one transparent monthly fee and do not bill insurance at all. The fee covers your ongoing primary care, including visits and direct messaging with your care team. Because there is no claim to file, there is no copay at the visit and no surprise bill afterward. In Florida, a DPC agreement is a direct contract between you and your primary care provider, and state law says it is not insurance (Fla. Stat. §624.27).

Side by side

• Billing: concierge often bills insurance plus a fee; DPC bills a flat fee only.
• Pricing: concierge fees vary widely; DPC pricing is usually published and monthly.
• Access: both aim for longer visits and direct contact with your care team.
• HSA: since 2026, DPC fees within federal limits can be paid from an HSA.

Which one fits you

If you want simple, predictable pricing for everyday care and you pair it with a high-deductible or catastrophic plan for big events, DPC is usually the more affordable route. Either way, neither model replaces coverage for hospital stays, surgery, or specialists.

Cavea Health is a Direct Primary Care practice opening in Lakeland in February 2027, with membership starting at $125 per month for adults and a Founding Family Membership Rate capped at $300 per month.