Question 1

What's the difference between direct primary care and concierge medicine?

Accepted Answer

Both are membership-based models with smaller patient panels. Direct primary care (DPC) charges a flat membership and usually does not bill insurance for primary care. Concierge medicine charges a retainer that is often higher and frequently still bills your insurance on top of it. The right fit depends on whether you want to keep using insurance and what level of access and amenities you are paying for.

Question 2

Do DPC or concierge practices take insurance?

Accepted Answer

DPC practices typically do not bill insurance for the primary care covered by your membership, though you can still use insurance for specialists, hospitals, labs, and prescriptions. Concierge practices more often continue to bill insurance in addition to the retainer. Always confirm the specific arrangement with the practice in writing.

Question 3

Is concierge medicine more expensive than DPC?

Accepted Answer

Concierge retainers are commonly higher than DPC memberships, but the total cost depends on the practice, what is included, and whether insurance is still billed. Ask each practice for its written fee schedule and what the fee does and does not include before deciding.

	Direct Primary Care	Concierge Medicine
How you pay	Flat monthly or annual membership paid to the practice	An annual retainer or membership, often higher than DPC
Insurance billing	Usually does not bill insurance for primary care	Often still bills your insurance on top of the retainer
What the fee covers	Office visits, messaging, and care coordination; labs/meds vary	Enhanced access and amenities; covered services vary by practice
Panel size	Smaller panels for longer, same/next-day visits	Also smaller panels with priority access
Best for	People wanting affordable, relationship-based primary care	People wanting premium access who keep using insurance

Direct Primary Care vs. Concierge Medicine in Kansas City, MO

How the two models compare

Direct primary care in Kansas City

Concierge medicine in Kansas City

Common questions

What's the difference between direct primary care and concierge medicine?

Do DPC or concierge practices take insurance?

Is concierge medicine more expensive than DPC?