A practical comparison
| Question | Direct primary care | Traditional primary care |
|---|---|---|
| How is care paid for? | A recurring fee for defined membership services. | Often insurance claims, copays, deductible payments, or self-pay charges. |
| Are visits included? | Depends on the plan. Anchor’s founding memberships list unlimited visits. | Costs depend on the practice, service, and insurance benefits. |
| How do I contact the provider? | Anchor lists direct messaging access. Ask about response times and hours. | Phone, portal, and other options vary by practice. |
| How soon can I be seen? | Anchor lists same-day or next-day appointments; confirm scheduling expectations. | Appointment availability varies by practice and type of visit. |
| What about outside care? | Membership does not cover hospital, emergency, or specialist care as insurance. | Insurance coverage depends on the health plan’s benefits and rules. |
Membership billing vs. per-service billing
In a membership model, the agreement is central: it defines what your recurring payment buys. In an insurance-based model, the cost of a visit may depend on your plan’s network, deductible, copay, and the services billed.
A DPC membership adds a recurring expense even in a month when you do not visit. In exchange, you have access to the services defined in your plan. Consider whether you value that ongoing arrangement and whether you expect to use the included services.
Read the Anchor membership cost guide for published prices and examples of separate charges.
Compare the actual care experience
Ask both practices the same questions. How are urgent primary care concerns scheduled? Who answers messages? How long are typical appointments? Will you usually see the same provider? What happens when you need a referral?
Anchor emphasizes longer visits, direct provider access, and a smaller patient panel. Those features may matter to someone looking for a familiar provider in Greenville. A traditional practice may also offer strong continuity and convenient communication, so compare specific arrangements instead of assuming every practice works the same way.
What happens to your insurance?
DPC membership does not replace health insurance. If you keep a health plan, you continue to pay its premium and follow its rules for covered services outside the membership.
For example, a referral from a DPC provider does not by itself establish that a specialist visit is covered. Confirm network, referral, and authorization requirements with your insurer. Our DPC and insurance guide offers a checklist.
Questions to help you choose
- Access: can you get appointments and follow-up in a way that works for you?
- Relationship: do you want an ongoing connection with a particular provider?
- Budget: what are your membership or visit costs, plus insurance and outside care?
- Scope: are the services you expect to need available and included?
- Household needs: do the plans work for the adults and children you want to enroll?
Learn about Kearsty Busby, Anchor’s Family Nurse Practitioner, review the membership options, and bring your questions to the practice before deciding.
Common questions
Is one model always less expensive?
No. Total cost depends on your plan, insurance, care needs, and any additional charges. Compare the complete arrangement for your situation.
Is direct primary care the same as urgent care?
No. Anchor’s DPC model is built around an ongoing primary care relationship. An urgent care visit is a different service arrangement.
Does a traditional practice always have shorter visits?
No. Appointment length and access vary. Ask each practice about its actual scheduling and visit structure.
Sources and further reading
Practice-specific services and prices: Anchor membership and care services. Confirm current terms with Anchor before enrollment.
Insurance terminology: HealthCare.gov: provider networks. Your insurer is the source for your policy’s coverage requirements.
This resource explains the care model and does not provide individualized medical, insurance, or financial advice.