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(503) 877-1186

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Suite 222

Portland, OR 97225

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Which is better? DPC or Concierge Medicine?

Updated: Jul 19




Given the frustrations with insurance driven healthcare - both by patients and physicians, there are two alternatives to healthcare delivery. They are Direct Primary Care (DPC) and Concierge Medicine.  While both provide personalized care, there are some big differences that make DPC the best choice for those that want comprehensive, accessible, transparent and affordable healthcare.

1. Affordability and Transparency

  • Direct Primary Care operates on a straightforward membership-based model. Patients pay a monthly fee directly to their primary care physician, which covers all primary and urgent care services, including routine check-ups, preventive care, and basic procedures. This eliminates the need for co-pays, deductibles, and surprise bills commonly associated with traditional insurance-based healthcare. This transparency in pricing also fosters trust and allows patients to budget for their healthcare expenses effectively.


  • Conversely, Concierge Medicine  involves a monthly or annual retainer fee in addition to concierge practices billing your insurance for services they provide.  While it may offer better access and personalized care, you're still left with the unknown costs and the potential for surprise bills.

2. Accessibility and Convenience

  • Direct Primary Care prioritizes accessibility by offering patients unlimited direct access to their primary care physician. This means same-day or next-day appointments are readily available and patients are coordinating their care and visits directly with their physician. The emphasis on accessibility ensures that patients receive timely care, addressing health concerns promptly and preventing minor issues from escalating into more significant health complications.


  • In Concierge Medicine, while patients may enjoy greater access to their physician compared to traditional practices, there may still be limitations in terms of same-day appointments or after-hours care.  Patients are usually dealing with office staff, rather than directly with their physician.  Additionally, the added bureaucracy and scheduling constraints can hinder the seamless delivery of care.


3. Personalized and Comprehensive Care

  • Direct Primary Care places a strong emphasis on building direct  physician-patient relationships. This personalized approach, along with extended office visits, allows physicians the time to explore patients' medical  histories, lifestyle factors, and long-term wellness goals, resulting in comprehensive and tailored treatment plans.


  • Concierge Medicine also aims for personalized care and building a direct physician-patient relationship. Patient's also enjoy longer visits with their physicians and have the time for comprehensive healthcare. 

4. Eliminating Middleman Interference

  • Direct Primary Care operates completely independent of insurance companies. By bypassing the middleman, DPC practices can focus on providing exceptional care, streamlining the billing process, ensuring transparent pricing and eliminating the administrative burdens associated with insurance claims.  Patients can rest assured knowing that their healthcare needs are prioritized without the interference of third-party payers, promoting a more patient-centric approach to their healthcare.


  • In contrast, Concierge Medicine  still involves insurance, leading to out-of-pocket expenses and administrative complexities. The involvement of insurance makes care delivery more complicated, opens patient's up to surprise bills  and detracts from the seamless delivery that patients deserve. 

Direct Primary Care emerges as a beacon of high value patient-centered healthcare, offering affordability, accessibility, personalized care, and transparency. By prioritizing the physician-patient relationship and eliminating the barriers imposed by third-party payers, DPC empowers patients to take charge of their health journey with confidence and peace of mind. In our current insurance-driven healthcare which is fraught with complexities, DPC stands out as a transformative model that places patients at the center and allows physicians to deliver compassionate and comprehensive healthcare.  DPC Nation is a wonderful resource for patient's interested in learning more!


If you want to meet with Dr. Dunbar and learn more about Saravit Direct Health in Cedar Mills, Oregon, book a no-obligation meet and greet.

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