Reviewed by Erik Osborne, PA-C, Co-Founder | October 20, 2026
The Quick Answer: The national average Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership costs about $99 per member per month, according to the 2026 State of DPC physician survey [1]. Prices vary with location and practice size: about $113 in the West versus about $80 in the Midwest, and about $110 in urban practices versus about $82 in rural ones [1]. For people with an HSA-qualified high-deductible health plan, a qualifying DPC membership of up to $150 per month for an individual or $300 per month for a family no longer blocks HSA contributions, and those limits stay the same for 2027 [4][7].
Important: Direct Primary Care is a membership arrangement with your doctor for primary care services. It is not insurance and doesn’t meet ACA minimum coverage requirements on its own.
When people first hear about Direct Primary Care, the next question is almost always the same: what does it actually cost? For years the answer was a single, often-quoted benchmark of about $77 a month. New 2026 data shows the real picture is higher, and more varied, than that [1].
This guide breaks down current DPC pricing by region, setting, and practice size, explains what your membership typically includes, and walks through the HSA rules that apply in 2026 and 2027.
What Is the Average Cost of Direct Primary Care?
The 2026 State of DPC survey, conducted by the DPC Alliance with hundreds of practicing DPC physicians, found a national average membership price of $98.64 per member per month [1]. That is well above the $77 figure the industry cited for more than a decade [3].
DPC is also growing quickly. Hint Health’s 2026 Direct Primary Care Trends Report, which draws on data from more than 2,700 DPC clinicians and 1.4 million members, found that DPC membership grew 837% from 2017 to 2025 [2].
Direct Primary Care Cost by Region, Setting, and Practice Size
Where you live, and how large your practice is, has a real effect on price.
| Factor | Group | Average monthly fee per member |
|---|---|---|
| Region | West | $113.28 |
| Region | Northeast | $110.44 |
| Region | South | $98.38 |
| Region | Midwest | $80.36 |
| Setting | Urban | $110.00 |
| Setting | Suburban | $99.78 |
| Setting | Rural | $81.56 |
| Practice panel size | Fewer than 200 patients | $105.93 |
| Practice panel size | 201 to 500 patients | $99.28 |
| Practice panel size | More than 500 patients | $77.74 |
Source: DPC Alliance 2026 State of DPC physician survey, as summarized by Hint Health [1].
Two patterns stand out. Rural practices cost meaningfully less than urban and suburban ones, and practices with larger patient panels tend to charge less per member [1]. Smaller panels often mean more time with your doctor, so a higher fee can reflect more access.
What Does a DPC Membership Typically Include?
Memberships vary by practice, but most include:
- Unlimited primary care office visits with no copay
- Direct access to your doctor by phone, text, or telehealth
- Preventive care and annual wellness visits
- Management of ongoing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or asthma
- Many basic procedures done in the office
- Care coordination and referrals to specialists
Many practices also offer lab work and medications at wholesale or deeply discounted prices, billed separately and transparently. Ask each practice for its price list before you join.
What DPC does not cover: emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, specialist care, and advanced imaging. That is why DPC works best paired with a separate layer for large medical events, such as a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) or a health sharing plan. Health sharing plans are not insurance, and sharing of medical costs among members is voluntary and not guaranteed.
Is Direct Primary Care Worth the Cost?
It depends on how you use care. A few ways to think about it:
- Compare it to your deductible. At the national average of about $99 a month, a year of DPC costs roughly $1,190. The average single deductible for employer coverage was $1,886 in 2025, according to KFF data [9]. If you regularly pay out of pocket for primary care before meeting a deductible, DPC can shift those costs to a predictable monthly fee.
- Count your visits. If you or your family see a primary care provider several times a year, pay for labs, or manage a chronic condition, the math often favors DPC.
- Value the access. Same-day or next-day appointments and direct contact with your doctor have value that does not show up on a price sheet.
DPC may be less worthwhile if you rarely see a doctor and already have low primary care copays through an employer plan.
Can You Use an HSA to Pay for Direct Primary Care in 2026 and 2027?
Yes, with conditions. Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, starting January 1, 2026, a qualifying DPC arrangement no longer disqualifies you from contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA), and DPC fees count as qualified medical expenses [4].
Tax note: This is general educational information, not tax or legal advice. Talk with a qualified tax professional about how this applies to your specific situation.
The rules, as clarified by IRS Notice 2026-05 (issued December 9, 2025) and Revenue Procedure 2026-24:
- Fee limits. Total DPC fees must be no more than $150 per month for one person, or $300 per month for an arrangement covering more than one person [4]. For 2027, those limits stay at $150 and $300 [7].
- Annual billing is allowed. A practice can bill for up to a year at a time if the total stays within the monthly limit on an annualized basis. In 2026, for example, an individual could pay $1,800 for a full year [4].
- Primary care practitioners only. The arrangement must provide only primary care, delivered by physicians in family medicine, internal medicine, geriatric medicine, or pediatric medicine, or by nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, or physician assistants [5]. A specialty-only practice does not qualify.
- Some services are excluded. Services cannot include procedures requiring general anesthesia, prescription drugs (other than vaccines), or lab services not typically done in an ambulatory primary care setting [5].
- Over the limit. Fees above the limit can still be paid from an HSA, but you cannot make new HSA contributions while enrolled in that arrangement [6].
- Employer-paid fees. HSA funds cannot reimburse DPC fees your employer pays, including fees paid through pre-tax salary reductions [6].
You still need an HSA-qualified HDHP to contribute to an HSA. The 2027 HSA contribution limits are $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for family coverage, up from $4,400 and $8,750 in 2026 [8]. For 2027, an HDHP must have a minimum deductible of $1,750 for self-only coverage or $3,500 for family coverage [7].
An illustration: Paying a $100 monthly DPC fee with pre-tax HSA dollars lowers its effective cost by your tax rate. For someone in the 22% federal bracket, that $100 membership costs closer to $78 in after-tax terms. Your actual savings depend on your tax situation.
How to Compare DPC Prices Near You
DPC practices set their own prices, so compare a few before choosing. Ask each practice:
- What is the monthly fee for my age, and is there family pricing?
- Is there an enrollment fee?
- Which labs and medications are available, and at what prices?
- How quickly can I usually get an appointment, and how do I reach the doctor after hours?
- How many patients does each doctor care for?
- If I want to use my HSA, does the membership fit within the IRS limits and practitioner rules?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Frequently Asked Questions About Direct Primary Care Cost
How much does direct primary care cost per month? The national average is about $99 per member per month, based on the 2026 State of DPC survey [1]. Averages range from about $78 to $113 depending on region, setting, and practice size.
Why do DPC prices vary so much? Location and practice size drive most of the difference. Western and Northeastern practices average above $110, Midwest practices about $80, and rural practices about $82 [1].
Is direct primary care cheaper than insurance? They do different jobs. DPC covers primary care only. It is not insurance and does not cover hospital stays, surgery, or emergencies, so most people pair it with an HDHP or a health sharing plan.
Can I pay for DPC with my HSA? In many cases, yes, if the arrangement qualifies under IRS rules and your fees stay within $150 per month for an individual or $300 for a family [4][7]. Talk with a tax professional about your situation.
Are children cheaper? Many practices offer lower child or family pricing. Ask each practice directly, since pricing structures vary.
Do DPC fees go up every year? Fees are set by each practice. Ask about pricing history and any planned changes before you enroll.
Next Steps
Direct Primary Care costs less than many people expect for the access it provides, and more than the old $77 benchmark suggests. The right choice depends on where you live, how often you use care, and what you pair it with for larger medical events.
At Journey Health Advisors, we help individuals, families, and self-employed professionals compare DPC options and model the total cost of DPC plus a coverage layer, side by side, with no pressure.
Speak with an advisor at Journey Health Advisors: 1 (844) 580-6055 | journeyhealthadvisors.com/contact
Related Reading:
- Health Sharing Plans Explained: How They Work, What They Cost, and Who They Fit
- Navigating Healthcare Costs
REFERENCES
[1] Hint Health. “State of DPC 2026: Key Takeaways From DPC Alliance’s Physician Survey.” Hint Health, July 2026. https://blog.hint.com/state-of-dpc-2026-key-takeaways-from-the-dpc-alliances-physician-survey
[2] Hint Health. “Hint Health Releases 2026 Direct Primary Care Trends Report.” PR Newswire, April 23, 2026. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hint-health-releases-2026-direct-primary-care-trends-report-data-shows-dpc-has-moved-from-niche-alternative-to-national-healthcare-infrastructure-302751249.html
[3] Medical Economics. “Lifestyle medicine could be direct primary care’s next differentiator, whitepaper says.” Medical Economics, August 2026. https://www.medicaleconomics.com/view/lifestyle-medicine-could-be-direct-primary-care-s-next-differentiator-whitepaper-says
[4] Groom Law Group. “A Big, Beautiful Break for HSAs: IRS Guidance on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s HSA Provisions.” Groom Law Group, December 2025. https://www.groom.com/resources/a-big-beautiful-break-for-hsas-irs-guidance-on-the-one-big-beautiful-bill-acts-hsa-provisions/
[5] HUB International. “IRS Guidance Expands HSA Rules for Telehealth & Direct Primary Care.” HUB International, December 2025. https://www.hubinternational.com/products/employee-benefits/compliance-bulletins/2025/12/irs-guidance-expands-hsa-rules-for-telehealth-and-direct-primary-care/
[6] Hylant. “IRS Provides Guidance on the OBBBA’s Expansion of HSAs.” Hylant, December 2025. https://hylant.com/insights/blog/irs-provides-guidance-on-the-obbbas-expansion-of-hsas
[7] NFP. “IRS Releases 2027 HSA, HDHP and EBHRA Limits.” NFP, 2026. https://www.nfp.com/insights/irs-releases-2027-hsa-hdhp-and-ebhra-limits/
[8] 401(k) Specialist. “2027 HSA Contribution Limits Released by IRS.” 401(k) Specialist, May 2026. https://401kspecialistmag.com/2027-hsa-contribution-limits-released-by-irs/
[9] HR Executive. “Employees Aren’t Confused About Their Benefits. They’re Anxious.” HR Executive, April 2026 (citing the KFF 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey). https://hrexecutive.com/employees-arent-confused-about-their-benefits-theyre-anxious/
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