Healthcare Without the Hassle
Direct Primary Care
for $99/Month
Membership includes primary care visits without office-visit copays. The practice offers appointments on the same day during patient-visit hours, subject to availability and clinical need. DPC is not insurance.
Direct Primary Care
What Is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
Direct Primary Care is a membership-based model in which a patient pays a recurring fee for defined primary care services. Garcia Family Medicine’s current individual membership is $99 per month; couple and family fees vary.
DPC is not health insurance. Services, scheduling and communication follow the current membership agreement and clinical needs. Review what is included and what may cost extra before enrolling.
How It's Different
Traditional Insurance Model
- Premiums and coverage vary by plan
- Deductibles may apply
- Copays or coinsurance may apply
- Visit length varies by practice and need
- Appointment access varies
- Communication methods vary by practice
Garcia Family Medicine DPC
- $99/month individual membership
- DPC membership is not insurance and has no insurance deductible
- No office-visit copays for included membership care
- Appointment length follows clinical need
- Appointments on the same day during visit hours, subject to availability
- Communication through the practice’s supported channels
Predictable Primary Care Costs
Clear Membership Pricing
The individual membership is $99 per month. Ask what is included, what may cost extra and the current terms for couple or family enrollment.
$99/month
INDIVIDUAL
Perfect for singles and young adults
Includes:
- Included primary care visits follow current membership terms
- Appointments on the same day during visit hours, subject to availability
- Communication through the practice’s supported channels
- Preventive visits when clinically appropriate
- Follow-up for ongoing conditions when clinically appropriate
- Evaluation of non-emergency illness when appropriate for primary care
- Women’s health services based on clinical need
- Mental health evaluation and medication management when appropriate
- Laboratory and imaging options discussed with separate costs disclosed
- Medication options and costs discussed before purchase
Ask the practice for current enrollment and initial-visit terms before joining.
FAMILY OPTION
Fees vary
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE
Everything in Individual, plus:
- Membership benefits follow current program terms
- Household eligibility depends on current enrollment terms
- Primary care for eligible family members as defined in the agreement
- Care planning based on clinical need
Ask the practice for current family enrollment and initial-visit terms.
Fees vary
COUPLE MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE
Everything in Individual, plus:
- Membership benefits follow current program terms
- Eligibility depends on current couple enrollment terms
- Coordinated primary care when clinically appropriate
- Individual health goals are discussed privately
Ask the practice for current couple enrollment and initial-visit terms.
Compare Primary Care Costs
Traditional Insurance Annual Cost
- Premiums vary by plan
- Deductibles vary by plan
- Copays and coinsurance vary
- Total cost depends on coverage and use
Garcia Family Medicine DPC
- Membership: $1,188/year
- DPC is not insurance; insurance deductibles do not apply to membership care
- No office-visit copays for included membership care
- Membership is $1,188/year; outside services may cost extra
Compare Your Primary Care Costs
Primary Care Services We Discuss
Your membership covers defined primary care services according to current program terms and clinical need. Ask what is included and what may cost extra.
Preventive Care
- Annual wellness exams (comprehensive, not rushed)
- Preventive screenings (based on age, gender, risk factors)
- Health risk assessments
- Lifestyle counseling
- Nutrition guidance
Sick Visits
- Appointments on the same day during visit hours, subject to availability
- Evaluation of common acute concerns when appropriate for primary care
- Non-emergency concerns evaluated based on office capabilities
- Minor non-emergency injuries when appropriate for primary care
- Allergy and asthma follow-up when clinically appropriate
- Skin concerns evaluated when appropriate for primary care
Chronic Disease Management
- Diabetes management
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- High cholesterol
- Thyroid disorders
- COPD & respiratory conditions
- Regular monitoring & medication adjustments
Women's Health
- Annual gynecological exams
- Pap smears
- Contraception counseling
- Menopause management
- Breast health
- Pregnancy care coordination
Mental Health
- Mental health screening
- Depression & anxiety management
- ADHD evaluation & treatment
- Medication management
- Counseling available ($85/hour additional)
- Referral coordination when needed
Minor Procedures
- Sutures & wound care
- Abscess drainage
- Skin biopsies
- Joint injections
- Trigger point injections
- Ear lavage
Lab Work & Imaging
- In-office basic testing when available and clinically appropriate
- Laboratory options and prices discussed before purchase
- Outside laboratory costs are separate from membership
- Imaging orders and available cash-price options discussed when needed
- EKG or monitoring when clinically appropriate and available
Medications
- Prescription management when clinically appropriate
- Medication review and reconciliation
- Available medication options and separate costs discussed before purchase
- Actual medication costs vary
- Generic alternatives may be discussed when clinically appropriate
What's NOT Included
Direct Primary Care is your primary care solution, but it doesn't replace:
- Hospitalization (use insurance or health sharing)
- Specialist care (we coordinate referrals)
- Emergency room visits (call 911 for emergencies)
- Surgery (we work with surgical specialists)
- Advanced imaging when not ordered by us
DPC is not insurance. Consider what separate coverage is appropriate for emergencies, hospitalization, specialists, surgery and other services outside the membership. Plan design, eligibility and costs vary; review options with a qualified insurance or benefits professional.
Getting Started Is Easy
4-Step Process
STEP 1
Schedule Your First Visit
Contact the practice to discuss current enrollment, membership terms and the first appropriate visit.
Ask about any initial-visit or enrollment charges before joining.
STEP 2
Meet Dr. Tess
Dr. Tess spends quality time getting to know you:
- Complete health history review
- Physical examination
- Discussion of health goals
- Review current medications
- Lab work if needed
- Personalized care plan
STEP 3
Choose Your Membership
Select the plan that fits your needs:
- Individual membership: $99/month
- Couple membership: available; fees may vary
- Family membership: available; fees may vary
Contact Garcia Family Medicine for current couple and family pricing.
Cancel with 30 days notice—no long-term contracts.
STEP 4
Use Your Membership
Once you’re a member:
- Appointments on the same day are offered during patient-visit hours; timing depends on availability and clinical need
- Communication follows the practice’s supported channels and response expectations
- No office-visit copays for included care; visit frequency follows the agreement and clinical need
- Laboratory and medication options and separate costs are discussed before purchase
- Preventive services are provided when clinically appropriate and included
You’re not just getting a doctor - you’re getting a healthcare partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct Primary Care Questions Answered
Q: Do I still need insurance if I have DPC membership?
A: DPC is not insurance. Consider separate coverage for emergencies, hospitalization, specialists, surgery and other services outside the membership. Plan design, eligibility and costs vary; review options with a qualified insurance or benefits professional.
Q: Can I use my HSA/FSA for DPC membership?
A: Yes! DPC memberships are typically HSA/FSA eligible. Check with your plan administrator, but most patients can use pre-tax dollars.
Q: What if I need to see a specialist?
A: Dr. Tess coordinates all specialist referrals and helps you navigate the healthcare system. Your insurance or health plan covers specialist visits.
Q: How quickly can I get an appointment?
A: same- or next-day appointments when available for most concerns. Because we limit our patient panel, Dr. Tess has time to see you when you actually need care.
Q: Can I really text Dr. Tess directly?
A: Yes! All DPC members have Dr. Tess’s direct number for text, call, or email. She responds personally—no phone trees, no nurse gatekeepers.
Q: What if I have an emergency?
A: Some emergencies do not need a trip to the emergency room. Things like lacerations needing to be stitched, or urinary tract infections do not need a trip to the emergency room and will likely take you hours if you do. We recommend calling Dr. Tess when you are having what you perceive to be an emergency to find out if it is something she can handle in the office . . . like stitching up a laceration or treating a urinary tract infection.
Q: What about lab work and imaging?
A: We have agreements with TestSmartly Labs in Independence for wholesale prices on labs and with Element Medical Imaging for x-rays, CTs, and MRIs at fantastic savings. The caveat is you have to pay either company at the time of service .
Q: Do you accept my insurance?
A: We do not accept insurance because we are a direct primary care practice. This keeps our costs low and allows Dr. Tess to spend more quality time with you. We don’t participate in insurance processes or file any claims—staying out of insurance matters is central to our model. If you choose to seek reimbursement from your insurance company, that would be handled directly between you and your insurer. We can provide you with receipts for your payments, but any insurance submissions would be your responsibility.
Q: Can I cancel my membership anytime?
A: Yes, you’re free to cancel your membership anytime. We just require 30 days’ notice so we can process the cancellation properly.
Q: Is there a long wait to become a patient?
A: No! One of the most attractive benefits of direct primary care is that you won’t experience long waits for appointments. Dr. Tess maintains a smaller patient panel specifically so she can see you when you need her. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
Ready to Experience Healthcare the Way It Should Be?
Explore whether Garcia Family Medicine’s direct primary care membership fits your needs. Review current terms, ask what is included and request availability before enrolling.