Some DPC News in DPC News
The stories keep coming out about Direct Primary Care. We are always surveilling the media and wanted to share some recent DPC-centric stories with you:
The program connects DPC practices to a vetted network of board-certified specialists across more than 50 specialties, offering transparent upfront pricing, same-week appointments, and no insurance pre-authorization requirements. It enables seamless referrals while keeping the direct-pay model intact, helping maintain a consistent patient-first experience beyond primary care. UberDoc CEO Sean Kearney emphasized extending the improved DPC experience to specialty needs, with additional features like preferred specialist lists and referral tracking in development.
‘Like a gym membership’: Oklahoma provider explains growing primary care model
In this April 9, 2026, KOSU/StateImpact Oklahoma article, Dr. Kyle Rickner, co-founder of Primary Health Partners (Oklahoma’s largest Direct Primary Care provider), explains the DPC model as a flat monthly fee (averaging around $90 nationally) for unlimited primary care, smaller patient panels, and 24/7 physician access—likening it to a “medical gym membership.” He notes rapid growth in Oklahoma, from just 3–4 DPC doctors in 2016 to nearly 150 today, fueled by dissatisfaction with the traditional insurance system’s administrative burdens and “moral injury” to physicians. The 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act now allows DPC fees (up to $150/month for individuals or $300 for families) to be paid with Health Savings Accounts, expanding access. Benefits include stronger doctor-patient relationships, reduced burnout, longer physician careers, and making primary care more appealing to new doctors.
Direct primary care in Wisconsin sees increased demand as health insurance prices skyrocket
Soaring health insurance costs are boosting demand for DPC in Wisconsin, where patients pay fixed monthly fees directly to physicians for unlimited primary care. The model cuts out insurance middlemen, making care more affordable and accessible while fostering long-term patient relationships. Providers report growing memberships as people seek alternatives to traditional high-cost coverage.
Inside Rellas Family Medicine, a direct primary care practice
This profile examines Rellas Family Medicine as a DPC practice using a membership model with flat fees covering comprehensive primary care services. Patients enjoy extended appointment times and direct physician access without insurance billing hassles. The piece highlights how the subscription-style approach prioritizes continuity of care and preventive health management.
Increased ACA premiums driving some patients to direct primary care
Rising Affordable Care Act premiums are pushing patients toward DPC, where they pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited primary care access without dealing with insurance claims or intermediaries. This shift helps lower out-of-pocket costs while enabling more personalized, preventive-focused care with longer visits and stronger doctor-patient relationships. Colorado DPC practices are seeing enrollment growth as a result of these economic pressures.
Feel free to share these stories in your DPC practice social media posts. It is just another way to market your practice by showing how DPC continues to gain popularity.
