What Is Direct Primary Care? A Guide to DPC in Englewood, Colorado

If you have ever waited weeks for a primary care appointment, spent only a few minutes with your provider, or received a confusing bill afterward, you may understand why more patients are looking for a different approach to primary care.

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based healthcare model designed to create a more direct relationship between patients and their primary care provider.

At Avaly Direct Health in Englewood, Colorado, patients pay a monthly membership fee for ongoing primary care that includes longer appointments, direct communication with their provider, preventive care, sick visits, chronic disease management, and many routine primary care services.

There are no copays for membership visits, and Avaly does not bill insurance for routine primary care provided through the membership.

How Does Direct Primary Care Work?

Instead of billing an insurance company every time you have a primary care appointment, a Direct Primary Care practice is paid directly by its members.

At Avaly, membership gives patients an ongoing relationship with their primary care provider rather than paying separately for each routine office visit.

This model allows the practice to spend more time on patient care and less time navigating insurance billing requirements. For patients, that can mean:

• Longer appointments

• Same-day or next-day sick visits when available

• Direct messaging with your provider

• Telehealth when appropriate

• Preventive and wellness care

• Chronic disease management

• Medication management

• Minor in-office procedures

• Coordination with specialists

• Transparent healthcare pricing

The goal is simple: make primary care easier to access and give patients and their provider more time to actually work on their health.

Is Direct Primary Care Health Insurance?

No.

Direct Primary Care is not health insurance.

Your DPC membership covers primary care services provided by the practice, but it does not replace coverage for major medical expenses. Patients may still need insurance or another healthcare coverage arrangement for services such as:

• Emergency room care

• Hospitalizations

• Surgery

• Specialty care

• Advanced imaging

• Certain medications

• Outside laboratory or diagnostic services

Many patients choose to use DPC alongside their existing insurance coverage.

The difference is that routine primary care is handled directly through the DPC membership rather than billed to insurance.

How Much Does Direct Primary Care Cost?

Direct Primary Care practices typically charge a recurring membership fee rather than charging for each individual office visit.

At Avaly Direct Health, membership pricing is straightforward:

Adults: $100/monthChildren: $50/month

Family membership options are also available.

There are no copays for routine membership visits.

Some services outside the membership—such as certain laboratory tests, medications, imaging, supplies, pathology, or specialty services—may have an additional cost. One of the advantages of the DPC model is that these costs can often be discussed before you receive the service.

What Does a Direct Primary Care Membership Include?

Direct Primary Care is much more than annual physicals.

At Avaly, membership is designed to serve as your ongoing home for primary care.

Preventive Care

Preventive care can include annual physicals, recommended screenings, health risk assessment, medication review, lifestyle counseling, and long-term health planning.

Same-Day Sick Visits

When you develop a sore throat, urinary symptoms, sinus symptoms, rash, minor injury, or another acute concern, established members can often access same-day or next-day care when availability allows. Avaly is not a walk-in urgent care clinic, but the DPC model allows many common acute concerns to be handled through your existing primary care relationship.

Chronic Disease Management

Primary care plays an important role in managing conditions such as:

• High blood pressure

• Diabetes and prediabetes

• High cholesterol

• Thyroid conditions

• Asthma

• Weight and metabolic health concerns

Instead of treating each appointment as an isolated event, DPC allows your provider to follow your health over time and adjust the plan as needed.

Medications and Laboratory Testing

Your provider can order and interpret laboratory testing, manage medications, and monitor treatment when medically appropriate.

Avaly members also have access to discounted cash-pay pricing for many commonly ordered laboratory tests and medications.

Minor Procedures

Many minor procedures can also be performed within primary care, depending on the situation.

These may include wound care, stitches, skin biopsies, ear cleaning, joint injections, and other in-office procedures when clinically appropriate.

Why Are DPC Appointments Often Longer?

Traditional primary care practices may need to see a high number of patients each day to support an insurance-based billing model. Direct Primary Care operates differently.

Because the practice receives recurring membership revenue directly from patients, appointments do not have to revolve around generating a billable insurance claim.

At Avaly, appointments may last 30–60 minutes when appropriate, allowing more time to discuss symptoms, review laboratory results, talk through treatment options, answer questions, and create a realistic plan.

Not every visit needs an hour. The point is having enough time when you actually need it.

Can I Have Direct Primary Care and Health Insurance?

Yes. DPC and health insurance serve different purposes. A useful way to think about it is:

Direct Primary Care = everyday and ongoing primary care

Health insurance = financial protection for larger or unexpected healthcare expenses

Your insurance may still be used for outside services depending on your individual plan and the requirements of the facility or provider performing those services.

Can a DPC Provider Order Labs, Imaging, and Referrals?

Yes. Being a Direct Primary Care practice does not mean your healthcare exists in isolation.

When medically appropriate, your provider can order laboratory testing, imaging, diagnostic testing, and specialty referrals and help coordinate your care.

If you see a specialist, your primary care provider can also help review recommendations and incorporate them into your overall healthcare plan.

Is Direct Primary Care Only for People Without Insurance?

No. Some patients without traditional insurance use DPC because they want predictable access to primary care, but many DPC patients do have health insurance.

People choose Direct Primary Care for many different reasons, including wanting:

• Easier access to their provider

• Longer appointments

• Fewer barriers to scheduling care

• More transparent pricing

• Better continuity

• Direct communication

• A stronger relationship with their primary care provider

For many patients, the value of DPC is not simply about whether they have insurance. It is about how they want their primary care delivered.

Is Direct Primary Care the Same as Concierge Medicine?

Not necessarily. Both models may emphasize access and a stronger patient-provider relationship, but the terms are not interchangeable. Direct Primary Care generally uses a recurring membership fee to cover primary care services and typically does not bill insurance for those routine membership services.

Concierge practices vary considerably and may charge a membership or retainer fee while continuing to bill insurance for medical visits and services. When comparing practices, it is important to look at exactly what the membership includes rather than relying only on the label.

Who Might Benefit From Direct Primary Care?

DPC can be a good fit for people who value access, continuity, and having more time with their primary care provider.

That can include:

• Individuals and families looking for an ongoing primary care provider

• People managing chronic medical conditions

• Patients who want more time to discuss complex health concerns

• People who want easier access when they become sick

• Patients frustrated by unpredictable primary care bills

• Self-employed individuals and small-business owners

• People with high-deductible insurance plans

• Patients who simply want a more personal primary care relationship

DPC will not be the right solution for everyone, which is one reason Avaly offers a free Meet & Greet before joining.

Direct Primary Care in Englewood and South Denver

Avaly Direct Health is located in Englewood, Colorado and serves patients from throughout the South Denver area, including Englewood, Littleton, Centennial, Greenwood Village, Cherry Hills Village, South Denver, and surrounding communities.

Avaly was built around a simple idea: primary care works better when patients have time with their provider, understand their options, and can build a healthcare relationship that continues beyond a single appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Direct Primary Care

Does Direct Primary Care accept insurance?

Avaly does not bill insurance for routine primary care services included in the membership. Patients may still maintain and use insurance for outside medical services according to their individual coverage.

Do I pay a copay when I see my DPC provider?

Avaly members do not pay a separate copay for routine primary care visits included with membership.

Can I contact my provider between appointments?

Direct communication is an important part of Avaly's DPC model. Members have access to communicate with their provider for appropriate healthcare needs between visits.

Can children join a Direct Primary Care practice?

Yes. Avaly offers memberships for both adults and children, as well as family membership options.

Can DPC manage my medications?

Yes. Medication management is a common part of primary care. Your provider can review existing medications and prescribe or adjust medications when medically appropriate.

What happens if I need a specialist?

Your primary care provider can help determine when specialty care is appropriate, coordinate referrals when needed, and help integrate specialist recommendations into your overall care.

Want to Learn Whether Direct Primary Care Is Right for You?

Choosing a primary care provider is personal. Avaly Direct Health offers a free Meet & Greet where you can meet your provider, ask questions about the Direct Primary Care model, learn what membership includes, and decide whether Avaly is a good fit for you.

Schedule a Free Meet & Greet: www.AvalyHealth.com/meet