FORT WORTH, Texas – Melissa Hamilton, a mother of four, was frustrated with the traditional primary care system. She recounted long waits in crowded waiting rooms, only to have the doctor spend a few minutes with her children before moving on to the next patient. This, paired with the high cost of insurance, made her feel like the family’s investment was being wasted.
In 2021, Hamilton’s family discovered a new approach to healthcare: direct primary care. This model involves private practices opting out of accepting insurance and instead requiring patients to pay a monthly fee for primary care services. By bypassing third-party billing, patients pay fees directly to the physician.
Despite being a relatively new model, direct primary care has seen significant growth in the past six years, with over 1,400 practices in the United States, according to a 2021 study from the National Library of Medicine. In Tarrant County alone, there are over 20 direct primary care practices, demonstrating the increasing popularity of this healthcare model.
For Dr. Kara Farley, the dissatisfaction with the disconnect between patients and their primary care doctors led her to launch her own practice, Mid Cities Direct Primary Care, in Grapevine in January 2021. The practice offers unlimited access to Farley and her team, with longer appointment times and a more personalized approach to care.
Another physician, Dr. Alex Vilaythong, also recognized the need for an alternative to traditional health insurance. His practice, Enlightened Health Direct, offers monthly membership packages ranging from $39 to $95, catering to patients who may not have insurance or do not qualify for health assistance programs.
However, despite the popularity of direct primary care, there are also challenges. Vilaythong acknowledged the skepticism from patients and the difficulty of competing with big hospitals and traditional healthcare models.
For families like Hamilton’s, direct primary care has been a game-changer. Hamilton, who pays $400 a month for her entire family to receive care from Dr. Farley, is grateful for the accessibility and personalized care her family receives.
The direct primary care model offers a new dimension to clinic ownership for physicians, allowing for more personalized, comprehensive care. While the traditional healthcare system still has its place, the increasing popularity and success of direct primary care practices suggest a shift in the way people approach their primary care needs.