People often use “Direct Primary Care” and “concierge medicine” interchangeably. They’re not the same thing. The differences matter for what you’ll pay, what’s included, and whether the model is right for you.
The Core Difference
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is membership-based primary care with no insurance involvement. You pay a flat monthly fee — typically $50-150/person — and get unlimited access to your doctor. DPC practices generally do NOT bill insurance.
Concierge medicine is a high-touch primary care model where you pay an annual retainer (typically $1,500-5,000/year) on TOP of your insurance. The doctor still bills your insurance for visits and procedures; the retainer is for enhanced access — longer appointments, 24/7 communication, same-day visits.
Cost Comparison
| Model | Annual cost | Plus insurance? |
|---|---|---|
| DPC (Garcia Family Medicine) | $1,188 individual / $2,700 family | Optional (HDHP recommended for catastrophic only) |
| Concierge medicine | $1,500-5,000+ retainer | Yes, required (you pay both) |
A typical concierge patient pays the retainer ($2,500/year average) PLUS their full insurance premium ($6,000-12,000/year) PLUS copays. DPC + a catastrophic plan typically costs less than half that.
What You Get
Both models offer:
- Longer appointment times (30-60 minutes vs 10)
- Same-day or next-day appointments
- Direct doctor access (text, call, email)
- Smaller patient panels (more time per patient)
DPC additionally typically includes:
- Wholesale-priced labs and imaging
- Discounted prescription medications
- No billing surprises
- No copays
Concierge medicine sometimes includes:
- Coordinated specialist referrals (DPC also does this)
- Sometimes home visits
- Sometimes travel/international medical support
Which Is Right for You?
DPC is better if:
- You pay your own health insurance premiums
- You have or are considering a high-deductible plan
- You want predictable, low monthly costs
- You don’t need the social-prestige aspects sometimes associated with concierge practices
Concierge may be better if:
- You have generous employer-paid insurance you want to keep using
- You travel internationally frequently and need global access
- You specifically want a practice that bills your insurance
The Bottom Line
For most patients in the Kansas City metro who pay their own premiums or are self-employed, DPC delivers concierge-level access at 25-40% of the total cost. For patients with high-end employer insurance, concierge might make sense.
Want to see if DPC fits your situation? Call Garcia Family Medicine at (816) 330-7575 for a no-pressure consultation. We’ll help you think through both options. Or see our cost comparison for more detail.