Short answer: Direct primary care is a membership model where a patient (or employer) pays a flat monthly fee for unlimited primary care, instead of billing insurance per visit. Employers can offer it alongside a health plan to improve access and control costs.
In a DPC arrangement, a primary-care practice charges a flat periodic membership fee that covers office visits, basic labs, and easy access (longer appointments, direct messaging) without per-visit insurance billing. It isn’t insurance, so it’s typically paired with a separate plan, often a high-deductible or catastrophic plan, to cover hospitalization and specialists. Employers increasingly offer DPC to improve access and reduce downstream costs. One HSA wrinkle: historically a DPC membership could jeopardize HSA eligibility, though guidance has been evolving, so confirm the current rules before pairing DPC with an HSA.