Direct Primary Care (DPC)
A direct relationship with your doctor. Unlimited visits, wholesale prescriptions, and 24/7 virtual care with no insurance middlemen.
What Is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
Direct primary care is a direct membership with a primary care doctor or practice: you pay a flat monthly fee, and in return receive a defined set of primary care services—usually unlimited visits and direct access to your physician—without copays or third-party insurance billing.
DPC is not insurance. It does not cover hospital, emergency room, or specialist care, which is why Beacon members pair it with Sedera medical cost sharing for comprehensive protection.
Flat Monthly Fee
You pay the doctor directly, like a gym membership, eliminating claims, copays, and surprise fee-for-service bills.
Zero Intermediaries
The practice does not bill third-party payers for included care, removing prior authorizations and network tier restrictions.
Extended Visits
Doctors maintain smaller patient loads, allowing 30–60 minute consults, same-day access, and direct phone/text messaging.
Discounted Rx & Labs
In-office diagnostic panels, generic medications, and blood tests are passed along at wholesale cash cost.
Local In-Person Direct Primary Care
Regional Practice Membership (~$77/month national avg)
- ✓Unlimited Visits: In-office exams, preventative annual physicals, and acute sick visits with zero copays.
- ✓Chronic Management: Coordinated care for blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and thyroid health.
- ✓National Network Footprint: Over 3,600 independent DPC practices operate nationwide across the U.S.
Akos MD Virtual Primary Care
Built-in Partner // Included in National Pairing
- ✓Built into Sedera + Akos: Bundled into our combined membership from $167.52/month (as of October 2026).
- ✓24/7 On-Demand Access: Video or telephone consults with board-certified physicians in all 50 states.
- ✓Care on the Road: Urgent triage, acute care, and direct local pharmacy prescription routing when traveling.
What Does DPC Include, and What Doesn't It?
Every practice is independent, but standard DPC agreements follow clear clinical boundaries.
- •Sick visits, routine checkups, and annual physical exams
- •Chronic condition management (hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid)
- •Direct phone, text, and video access to your personal doctor
- •Basic in-office procedures (simple stitches, lesion removal, ear irrigation)
- •Care coordination and specialist referral navigation
- •Hospitalizations, inpatient surgeries, and emergency room visits
- •Specialist consultations (oncology, cardiology, orthopedics)
- •Advanced imaging (MRI, CT scans, ultrasound; often discounted via cash partners)
- •Prescription medications and advanced lab panels (provided at wholesale cost)
DPC vs Health Insurance vs Concierge Medicine
How Direct Primary Care compares against traditional plans and retainer-based practices.
| Comparison Point | Direct Primary Care | Traditional Health Insurance | Concierge Medicine |
|---|---|---|---|
| What You Pay | Flat monthly membership | Premium + high deductible + copays | Annual retainer fee PLUS insurance billing |
| Bills Insurance? | No (direct cash for primary care) | Yes (third-party fee-for-service) | Usually yes (bills insurance for visits) |
| Covers Hospital/ER? | No (pair with Sedera cost sharing) | Yes (after deductible is met) | No (retains primary care focus) |
| Typical Cost | Lower (~$77/mo average) | Varies (frequently $500–$1,200+/mo) | Higher ($2,000–$5,000+/yr retainer) |
Want to locate a DPC physician near you?
We help members pair their Sedera membership with independent local doctors or immediate 24/7 Akos virtual care.