Membership Model
Direct Primary Care — Medicine Without the Middleman
Direct primary care (DPC) is a simple idea: pay a flat monthly fee, get unlimited access to your doctor. No insurance billing, no co-pays, no surprise charges. Just a real relationship with a physician who has time for you.
How Direct Primary Care Works
Traditional primary care is shaped by insurance reimbursement. Doctors see 20–30 patients a day to cover overhead, which means 10-minute appointments, long waits, and a physician who barely has time to look up from the computer.
DPC removes insurance from the equation entirely. Instead of billing your insurer for each visit, we charge a simple monthly membership fee — typically $50 to $125 depending on your age. That fee covers everything we do in primary care, with no additional charges per visit.
Because we're not dependent on insurance volume, we keep our patient panel small. That means you can actually get an appointment when you need one — often the same or next day — and your doctor has time to spend with you.
Patients throughout Steilacoom, Lakewood, DuPont, and University Place have found that DPC, paired with a lower-cost insurance plan for major events, often costs less than traditional insurance while delivering far better day-to-day care.
What's Included in Your Membership
- Unlimited office visits — no co-pays, no per-visit fees
- Same- or next-day appointments
- Extended visits (30–60 minutes)
- Direct phone, text, and email access to your doctor
- Telehealth and virtual visits
- Annual wellness exams and preventive care
- Chronic disease management
- In-office procedures at no extra charge
- Wholesale lab pricing — dramatically reduced costs
- Prescription assistance and medication management
- Acupuncture and osteopathic manipulation (OMT) included
Who Benefits Most from DPC
DPC works well for a wide range of patients — not just the uninsured.
Families
Predictable monthly costs, same-day access for sick kids, and a doctor who knows your whole family.
Self-employed & small business owners
Skip expensive group insurance. Pair DPC with a high-deductible plan for comprehensive, affordable coverage.
Patients with chronic conditions
Diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease — conditions that need ongoing attention benefit enormously from a doctor you can reach directly.
People who avoid the doctor
When there's no co-pay and you can text your doctor, the barriers to getting care disappear.
Patients who want more
Tired of rushed visits and feeling like a number? DPC is for people who want a real relationship with their physician.
Employers
Small businesses can offer DPC memberships as a benefit. See our employers page for details.
Common Questions About DPC
Do I still need health insurance?
DPC is not insurance — it's a membership for primary care. We recommend pairing your membership with a high-deductible health plan or a health-sharing plan to cover hospitalizations, specialist care, and emergencies. Many patients find this combination costs less overall than traditional insurance with co-pays.
What if I need a specialist or hospital care?
We help coordinate specialist referrals and stay involved in your care throughout. For hospitalizations, your DPC membership covers your primary care relationship — hospital and specialist costs go through your insurance or health-sharing plan.
Can I use my HSA or FSA for the membership fee?
In many cases, yes — especially when paired with a qualifying high-deductible health plan. We recommend checking with your plan administrator, as rules vary.
Is there a contract or long-term commitment?
No long-term contracts. Membership is month-to-month and can be cancelled with 30 days' notice.
What ages do you see?
We see patients of all ages — from newborns to seniors. Family memberships are available at reduced rates for children.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Angela Dunn, DO, FAAFP and Dr. Noel Dunn, MD, FAAFP — Co-founders, Dunn Family Medicine, Steilacoom, WA.
See if DPC is right for you
Schedule a free 15-minute introduction with one of our physicians. We'll answer your questions and help you figure out if membership makes sense for your situation.