Frequently Asked Questions

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership-based approach to primary care. Instead of billing insurance for routine primary care services, members pay a straightforward monthly fee for access to their primary care provider and services included in their membership.

This model allows us to spend more time with patients, provide easier access to care, and focus on the patient-provider relationship rather than insurance billing requirements.

Our monthly membership options are:

• Individual Membership: $100/month

• Child / Young Adult Membership: $50/month

• Family Membership: $250/month for a family of four, plus $25/month for each additional child, up to six children total

We believe healthcare pricing should be easy to understand, so membership costs are provided upfront without surprise bills for included care.

Appalachian Direct Primary Care does not bill insurance for membership fees or included primary care services. Your monthly membership is paid directly to the practice.

Yes. We recommend maintaining health insurance or other appropriate health coverage for healthcare expenses outside the scope of your DPC membership, including emergency care, hospitalization, specialist care, advanced imaging, and other services not provided by our practice.

DPC is designed to improve access to primary care—not replace coverage for major or unexpected medical expenses.

There are no copays for visits included with your membership. Whether you need a routine follow-up or you're coming in because you're sick, you won't pay a traditional office-visit copay for included care.

Certain services, medications, supplies, laboratory testing, pathology, imaging, or other outside services may have additional costs. When possible, we'll discuss those costs with you in advance.

One of the advantages of Direct Primary Care is improved access. We offer same-day or next-day appointments when available, particularly for acute concerns.

Availability can vary based on clinical needs and the schedule, so we don't guarantee a specific appointment time.

Yes. Telehealth is available to established members when medically appropriate. It can be particularly convenient for certain follow-ups, medication discussions, results review, and select acute concerns.

Some conditions require an in-person examination or testing, and we'll let you know when an office visit or higher level of care is necessary.m description

Improved communication and access are important parts of the DPC model. Members will have convenient ways to communicate with the practice for appropriate healthcare needs.

However, membership does not replace emergency medical services or guarantee 24/7 immediate provider availability.

Direct Primary Care is not an emergency medical service.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Do not use voicemail, website forms, patient messaging, or other routine communication methods for emergency medical concerns.

We provide primary care for patients of all ages—from newborns through every stage of adulthood. Whether you’re looking for a primary care provider for your child, yourself, or your entire family, Appalachian Direct Primary Care offers personalized, relationship-based care throughout every stage of life.

Our goal is to become the provider your family can grow with—from newborn and childhood care through adulthood and healthy aging.

Yes. Patients may choose to establish care with Appalachian Direct Primary Care even if they have previously received primary care elsewhere. We can request appropriate medical records to help establish continuity of care.

Medication evaluation and management are included when they are part of your primary care. The cost of medications themselves is not included in the membership.

Many commonly ordered laboratory tests may be available to members at discounted cash prices. Testing not included in the membership will be discussed with you whenever possible before it is ordered.

Yes. When specialty evaluation or treatment is appropriate, we can help coordinate referrals and share relevant medical information to support continuity of care. Specialist services are separate from your Appalachian Direct Primary Care membership.

Your membership is designed to cover primary care services provided by Appalachian Direct Primary Care that are identified as included in your membership.

Services outside the practice—such as emergency department visits, hospitalization, specialist care, imaging, outside laboratory testing, prescription medications, pathology, and certain procedures or supplies—may have separate costs.

Getting started is simple. Choose the membership option that fits you or your family and complete the enrollment process. Once your membership is established, we'll schedule your New Member / Establish Care Visit so we can review your medical history, medications, preventive care needs, and health goals.