What is direct primary care?

Instead of billing an insurer visit by visit, a DPC practice charges members a periodic fee. What that fee covers is set by each practice: it often includes routine and preventive visits, care coordination and communication with the doctor, and some practices add discounted labs or medications.

Because the practice is paid directly, prices are usually published up front.

A DPC membership is not health insurance. It generally does not cover hospital stays, emergency care, specialists or major procedures. Many people pair a DPC membership with some form of coverage for large or unexpected costs. See Membership vs. insurance.

BrightPay let members redeem reward points for discounts on DPC services, and its Platinum Plus plan offered a direct care membership with a BrightPay Health provider.