DIRECT PRIMARY CARE

What is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a simple, membership-based model for your everyday healthcare needs. For a flat monthly fee, you get access to your primary care provider- without the hassle of insurance.

DPC can bend the healthcare cost curve by fostering a more cost-effective and efficient healthcare system. DPC models often reduce reliance on more expensive services, such as specialist visits and emergency room admissions, by providing comprehensive primary care within a single practice. This leads to both lower costs and improved patient outcomes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Two Rivers Primary Care is offering Direct Primary Care meaning that we joyfully do not accept insurance but rather offer patients low monthly membership to meet their primary care needs.

  • Not exactly. Concierge practices bill your insurance AND charge several hundreds of dollars for VIP services on top. Two Rivers Primary Care does not bill insurance and our monthly membership is much lower than that of concierge practices. Consider this concierge service for normal folks without the bougie price tag.

  • Our patients are encouraged to have (at a minimum) major medical insurance coverage for the big medical expenses (emergency care, surgical care, specialist care, hospitalizations, etc)

    Low-premium, high-deductible insurance can be inexpensive, and DPC doctors strive to eliminate insurance claims. Why pay $200 toward a deductible you're unlikely to meet when you can get the same tests from a DPC doctor for $15 in cash? It just makes sense.

  • No. We do not operate as a walk in clinic or an urgent care clinic. Members of Two Rivers Primary Care will have easy access to the care team for same day or next day appointments- in person, on phone or video.

  • YES!! (starting in 2026)

    ** Use Your HSA for DPC
    Starting January 2026, you can legally use your Health Savings Account to pay for a DPC agreement of $150/month or less.

    ** Employers may include DPC as part of their health benefits—even if they offer a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). This gives employees more flexibility in choosing the right type of care.

    ** Your monthly DPC payment can now be applied toward your HDHP deductible, helping reduce your out-of-pocket costs over time.

  • Direct Primary Care Practices maintain smaller patient panels so that they can have more time per patient and can offer shorter turn around in patient appointment times. Additionally, when providers contract directly with the patient and leave insurance out of the equation, we can be more flexible in how we can meet patient needs. This means we are not incentivized to fill the schedule with low value appointments.

  • Dr. Grant-Nierman maintains privileges at HRRMC and can see patients there in consultation. She will also continue to deliver babies at HRRMC as well. Adults admitted to HRRMC are generally managed by physicians who specialize in hospital medicine. Dr Grant-Nierman will see you as as soon as possible after you are released from the hospital to help coordinate that transition of care.

  • For after hours emergencies you may leave a message on our main line and we will get back to you as soon as possible. For non emergent after hours questions such as scheduling or billing you can send an email or send a message through your patient hub.

    Phone: 719-867-6330

  • Yes, Dr. Grant-Nierman is able to make house calls if patients and families need this service.

ENROLL

Here's how DPC can contribute to bending the cost curve:

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Reduced reliance on expensive services.

DPC practices focus on providing routine care, preventative measures, and chronic disease management within the clinic setting, minimizing the need for costly specialist referrals, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits.

Lower healthcare costs for patients.

DPC models involve flat monthly fees or a set price for services, which can be more affordable for patients than traditional insurance-based healthcare, as costs are often lower than those associated with insurance copays and deductibles.

Focus on prevention and wellness.

DPC practices prioritize patient education, lifestyle counseling, and proactive care to prevent illness and manage chronic conditions, leading to better health outcomes and reduced long-term healthcare expenses.

Enhanced patient experience.

The close-knit relationship and personalized care provided in DPC models can improve patient satisfaction and adherence to treatment plans, potentially leading to fewer readmissions and improved health outcomes, which can indirectly lower healthcare costs.

Improved care coordination.

DPC practices often have a high level of continuity of care, as patients have the same physician for ongoing care, which can improve communication between providers and reduce healthcare costs associated with miscommunication and coordination issues.

Reduced administrative overhead.

DPC practices may have lower administrative costs compared to traditional insurance-based practices, as they do not have to deal with complex billing processes and insurance paperwork.