TL;DR: A direct primary care (DPC) membership is a monthly subscription to a primary care practice that covers most visits without copays or insurance billing. It works best for people who want faster access, longer appointments, and a more personal relationship with their provider. TBH Medical offers DPC membership in Colorado Springs through a nurse practitioner-led practice.
Most people assume that having health insurance means having access to good primary care. In practice, that often means waiting three weeks for a fifteen-minute appointment, paying a copay at the door, and leaving with questions still unanswered.
Direct primary care is a different model entirely. It removes insurance from the primary care equation and replaces it with a straightforward monthly membership. The result, for many patients, is faster care, more time with their provider, and a clearer understanding of what they’re paying for.
This post explains how direct primary care memberships work, who they benefit most, and what to consider before joining—including how TBH Medical Direct Primary Care in Colorado Springs fits this model.
A direct primary care membership operates like a subscription. Patients pay a fixed monthly fee directly to their primary care practice. In return, they receive access to most primary care services without copays, deductibles, or insurance claims. The practice bills the patient directly
Because DPC practices don’t bill insurance for office visits, they can operate with smaller patient panels than traditional practices. A standard primary care physician in a conventional model may carry 2,000 or more patients. DPC providers typically cap their panels significantly lower, which is what makes same-day and next-day appointments possible and allows for longer, more thorough visits.
Most DPC memberships include:
What is not typically included is specialist care, hospitalizations, imaging, or emergency services. DPC is a primary care model — not a comprehensive insurance replacement.
The two models are related but distinct. Concierge medicine also charges a membership fee, but it usually bills insurance on top of the membership — meaning patients pay both the monthly fee and continue using their insurance for covered services. Concierge practices tend to carry higher price points, often positioning themselves as a premium tier within the traditional insurance system.
Direct primary care does not bill insurance for primary care services at all. The monthly fee is the only charge for covered primary care visits. This makes DPC more transparent and, for many patients, more affordable than concierge medicine — particularly when paired with a high-deductible health plan.
Pricing varies by practice, geographic market, and the age of the patient. Nationally, DPC memberships commonly range from $50 to $150 per month for adults. Pediatric memberships are often priced lower. Some practices offer family plans or tiered structures based on age.
At TBH Medical Direct Primary Care in Colorado Springs, membership pricing is straightforward and transparent. Prospective patients are encouraged to contact the practice directly for current membership rates, as pricing may be updated periodically. What remains consistent is the model: one predictable monthly fee, no surprise bills for covered primary care services, and no insurance involvement for office visits.
Direct primary care isn’t the right fit for everyone, but it delivers clear advantages for certain groups.
Individuals with high-deductible health plans. Patients who carry HDHPs to keep their monthly premiums low often pay entirely out of pocket for primary care visits until their deductible is met. A DPC membership gives these patients predictable, affordable access to primary care without touching their deductible.
Self-employed and freelance workers. People without employer-sponsored insurance who are managing their own coverage often find DPC an efficient way to secure reliable primary care at a known monthly cost.
Small business owners. Some small businesses use DPC memberships as a cost-effective employee health benefit, either as a standalone offering or alongside a group health plan.
Patients with chronic conditions. People managing ongoing health concerns — hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disorders, high cholesterol — benefit significantly from the frequent, low-friction access that DPC provides. Regular monitoring and easy communication with a consistent provider improves outcomes for chronic disease management.
People who have struggled with the traditional system. Long wait times, rushed appointments, difficulty reaching a provider between visits, and fragmented care are common frustrations with insurance-based primary care. DPC addresses all of these structurally.
Families with children. Well-child checkups, sick visits, sports physicals, and immunization management happen frequently when children are young. DPC membership gives families predictable access without a copay stack accumulating through the year.
Understanding the limits of a DPC membership is as important as understanding what it includes. Direct primary care covers primary care services — it does not replace health insurance.
Most DPC patients carry some form of health insurance — often a high-deductible or catastrophic plan — to cover:
The combination of a DPC membership and a lower-premium, higher-deductible health plan is a common and financially practical arrangement for many households. The DPC membership handles the day-to-day primary care needs that would otherwise erode a deductible through repeated copays, while the insurance policy provides coverage for unexpected or high-cost events.
TBH Medical is a direct primary care practice located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, led by Aja Hardisty, a double board-certified family nurse practitioner with training and experience in family practice and acute care. The practice sees patients from newborn through elderly, making it a practical option for individuals and families alike.
As a DPC practice, TBH Medical operates outside the traditional insurance billing system for primary care visits. Members pay a monthly fee and gain access to same-day or next-day appointments, longer visits, and direct communication with Aja — no front-desk triage, no waiting weeks for a slot.
Services available through TBH Medical membership include well-child and well-adult visits, chronic disease management, acute illness evaluation, preventive screenings, DOT physicals, sports physicals, and more. The practice also offers certain services — including school physicals and DOT exams — to non-members.
TBH Medical is located at 6285 Lehman Drive, Building D, Suite 203, Colorado Springs, CO 80918. The clinic is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, by appointment. To learn more about membership or to schedule a visit, call or text 719-452-2116 or visit tbhmedical.com.
Before enrolling, it helps to think through a few practical questions:
There is no universal answer. What direct primary care offers is a fundamentally different way of accessing primary care — one that prioritizes availability, consistency, and transparency over the complexity of insurance billing.
Direct primary care is not a workaround or a niche product. It is a deliberate structural alternative to the way primary care has historically been delivered in the United States. For
patients who have grown frustrated with rushed appointments, long waits, and unpredictable costs, the DPC model offers a straightforward solution: pay a known monthly amount, get access to a provider who knows you, and receive primary care on your schedule.
TBH Medical Direct Primary Care in Colorado Springs is one of the few practices in the region offering this model through a nurse practitioner-led, patient-centered approach. If you’ve been considering a change in how you access primary care, a conversation with the TBH Medical team is a practical starting point. Frequently asked questions
Most DPC practices, including TBH Medical, do not bill insurance for primary care office visits. However, your insurance remains active and can be used for specialist referrals, hospitalizations, imaging, and other services outside the scope of primary care.
In some cases, DPC membership fees may qualify as a deductible medical expense. If you use a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), check with your account administrator and a tax professional regarding current IRS guidance, as rules in this area continue to evolve.
Yes, in most cases. Direct primary care covers primary care services only. Health insurance — even a high-deductible plan — is recommended to protect against specialist care, hospitalization, and emergency costs.
TBH Medical is a Colorado Springs-based practice. Patients should be able to reasonably access the clinic in person for appointments. Contact the practice at 719-452-2116 to discuss your specific situation.
TBH Medical is a direct primary care practice and does not participate in traditional Medicare or Medicaid billing. Patients with Medicare or Medicaid coverage are encouraged to contact the practice directly to understand what services may be available and how DPC fits their situation.
Urgent care clinics are designed for episodic, single-issue visits — typically without a continuing relationship or longitudinal knowledge of the patient. TBH Medical is a primary care practice built around an ongoing relationship with a consistent provider who knows your medical history, manages your preventive care, and is accessible between visits.
