Direct Primary Care

September 24, 2026

Can You Have Direct Primary Care and Health Insurance at the Same Time?

A.D. Ministrator Direct Primary Care, Insurance Direct Primary Care, health insurance, Membership 0 Comments

Absolutely. In fact, for many people, Direct Primary Care and health insurance can work very well together.

One of the most common questions we hear when someone first learns about Direct Primary Care (DPC) is:

“If I already have health insurance, why would I also need a DPC membership?”

It’s a fair question.

The answer starts with understanding that DPC and health insurance are designed to serve different purposes.

Direct Primary Care focuses on your ongoing primary care relationship—the everyday healthcare needs that often include preventive care, sick visits, chronic condition management, medication discussions, follow-up care, and having a physician who knows your medical history.

Health insurance, on the other hand, is designed to help cover the cost of healthcare services that go beyond routine primary care, such as hospitalizations, emergency care, specialists, surgeries, advanced imaging, and other major medical expenses, depending on your particular plan.

DPC Doesn’t Replace Your Health Insurance

A DPC membership is not health insurance.

Instead, it is a direct relationship between you and your primary care practice. Rather than submitting claims to an insurance company for covered primary care services, you pay the practice a predictable monthly membership fee.

At Balanced Physician Care, that membership gives our patients access to a broad range of primary care services without the traditional fee-for-service approach.

That means you aren’t paying a copay every time you need to see us for an included service, and you’re not dealing with insurance claims for those services.

The goal is simple:

Make primary care more accessible, more personal, and easier to navigate.

So What Is the Insurance For?

Think of your DPC membership as taking care of your primary care relationship, while your health insurance provides financial protection for healthcare needs that may be much more expensive.

Depending on your insurance plan, that may include:

Specialist visits
Hospitalization
Emergency room care
Surgery
Advanced diagnostic imaging
Cancer treatment
Other major medical expenses

Your specific coverage, deductible, copays, coinsurance, and network requirements will depend on your insurance policy.

That’s why DPC should not be viewed as a replacement for comprehensive health insurance.

Instead, the two can complement one another.

What Happens When You Need a Specialist?

Being part of a DPC practice doesn’t mean your primary care physician has to handle everything.

Sometimes a medical concern can be evaluated and treated within primary care. Other times, seeing a specialist is the appropriate next step.

When that happens, your DPC physician can help determine whether a referral or specialist consultation is appropriate and help coordinate your care.

And when you come back from the specialist, you still have someone who understands your overall health picture and can help you make sense of what comes next.

That continuity is one of the important differences between simply having access to healthcare and having an ongoing relationship with your primary care physician.

But Isn’t DPC Just Another Monthly Healthcare Expense?

This is where many people initially get hung up.

Yes, a DPC membership is an additional monthly expense if you already have insurance.

But it’s worth looking at what you’re actually paying for.

Traditional insurance-based primary care generally involves billing insurance for individual services. DPC operates differently: you pay a predictable membership fee directly to the practice for the primary care services included in your membership.

At Balanced Physician Care, our goal is to eliminate much of the uncertainty and frustration surrounding routine primary care.

Instead of:

“How much is this visit going to cost me?”

the question becomes:

“How can we take care of this?”

That difference can be particularly valuable when you have questions, need to be seen for an acute illness, need follow-up care, or simply want more time with your healthcare provider.

What About HSAs and DPC in 2026?

There is another important consideration in 2026.

Federal law changed the rules surrounding Health Savings Accounts and qualifying Direct Primary Care arrangements. Beginning in 2026, certain individuals participating in qualifying DPC arrangements can remain eligible to contribute to an HSA, and HSA funds may be used tax-free for qualifying DPC fees subject to applicable requirements and limits.

Because HSA eligibility depends on the individual’s circumstances and health plan, it’s important to review your particular situation and the current IRS requirements rather than assuming every DPC arrangement is treated exactly the same.

This is especially important if you have a high-deductible health plan and are considering pairing it with a DPC membership.

Why Would Someone Have Both?

For some people, the combination makes a lot of sense:

DPC for primary care.
Health insurance for major medical expenses.

Your DPC membership can provide a direct relationship with your primary care practice, while your insurance remains available for healthcare expenses outside the scope of the DPC membership.

This can give you two things that are often difficult to get from a traditional healthcare arrangement:

Predictable primary care costs and protection from large medical expenses.

The Question Isn’t Really “DPC or Insurance?”

A better question might be:

“What do I want from my primary care physician?”

Do you want to be able to reach your primary care practice when you have a question?

Do you want longer appointments instead of feeling rushed through your visit?

Do you want same-day or next-day care when you’re sick, when available?

Do you want a physician who has the time to understand your medical history and your health goals?

Do you want to spend less time dealing with insurance-related hassles for your routine primary care?

These are some of the reasons people choose Direct Primary Care.

DPC and Insurance Can Work Together

Direct Primary Care isn’t about eliminating health insurance.

It’s about changing the way you access primary care.

You can maintain your health insurance for the medical expenses that fall outside your DPC membership while having a direct relationship with your primary care practice for your everyday healthcare needs.

At Balanced Physician Care, we believe primary care should be personal, accessible, and centered around the relationship between the patient and the physician—not the insurance company.

If you’re curious about whether Direct Primary Care makes sense for you, we’re happy to explain how the membership works and answer your questions before you make a decision.

Give us a call at Balanced Physician Care to schedule your no obligation, Meet & Greet – 904-930-4774.

August 20, 2026

The Three Biggest Misconceptions About Direct Primary Care—and Why Patient Education Matters

A.D. Ministrator Direct Primary Care, Insurance Direct Primary Care, Membership 0 Comments

After answering the question “What is Direct Primary Care?” countless times, I’ve noticed that three misconceptions come up again and again.

Understanding and addressing these misconceptions is one of the most important opportunities for DPC practices today—not simply as a marketing strategy, but as a way to help patients understand how healthcare can work differently.

1. The “Double Payment” Problem

“Why should I pay a monthly health insurance premium and a monthly DPC membership?”

It’s a fair question.

The challenge is that healthcare has conditioned us to think about routine medical care differently than we think about almost every other routine service in our lives.

We don’t ask, “Why should I pay for auto insurance and an oil change?” We understand that auto insurance protects us from major, unexpected expenses, while we pay directly for routine maintenance.

Likewise, we don’t ask, “Why should I have homeowners insurance and pay a plumber to fix a leak?” We understand the difference between insurance protection and the cost of maintaining our home.

In these situations, we understand what we are paying for, who we are paying, and why. We expect transparency, compare value, and often willingly pay more for quality or convenience.

Insurance serves as a financial safety net for large, unpredictable events.

Healthcare evolved differently.

We have been taught to expect health insurance to function as both a payment system and a safety net—covering everything from routine primary care visits to catastrophic illness. As a result, the relationship between price, value, and decision-making has become much less visible to the patient.

Patients often don’t know the true cost of their care. Providers and insurance companies negotiate prices behind the scenes. And premiums and out-of-pocket costs continue to rise.

DPC offers an opportunity to rethink this relationship.

Instead of asking insurance to pay for every healthcare interaction, we can use insurance for what it does best: protecting us financially from large and unexpected medical expenses.

Then, patients can directly invest in accessible, relationship-based primary care.

That creates something healthcare desperately needs: transparency, simplicity, and greater patient control.

2. The Retainer Stigma

Another common reaction is:

“Isn’t a membership doctor just something wealthy people have?”

It shouldn’t be.

This is where it is important to understand the difference between concierge medicine and Direct Primary Care.

Direct access to your physician should not be viewed as a luxury. It should be considered a fundamental part of high-quality primary care.

DPC challenges the idea that exceptional access to a physician has to be exclusive or reserved for the wealthy.

The model is built around something remarkably simple: creating an ongoing relationship between a patient and their primary care physician, with fewer barriers between them.

Patients shouldn’t have to wait weeks for an appointment, spend hours in a waiting room, or feel like they are bothering their doctor when they have a question.

Access is not a luxury. Relationship is not a luxury. Continuity is not a luxury.

These are essential components of good primary care.

DPC simply changes the way those services are delivered and paid for.

3. The Value Disconnect

Perhaps the biggest challenge is helping people recognize the value of a relationship with a physician before they actually need one.

Most people already understand the membership model.

We pay monthly for gyms, streaming services, entertainment, software, meal kits, and countless other subscriptions. The concept itself isn’t difficult.

The challenge is connecting the idea of a membership with the value of primary care.

DPC isn’t simply about unlimited office visits or being able to text your doctor.

It is about having a trusted physician in your corner when questions arise, symptoms begin, medications need adjusting, test results need to be explained, or life circumstances change.

That relationship has value—even when you’re healthy.

And this is where DPC practices have an enormous opportunity.

We need to clearly demonstrate how DPC is different—not only from traditional primary care and urgent care, but also from telehealth companies and other convenient healthcare options.

The value isn’t simply convenience.

It is continuity. Trust. Access. Familiarity. Partnership.

A telehealth service may be able to treat today’s sore throat.

A DPC physician knows the person who has the sore throat.

That distinction matters.

And explaining that distinction requires a tremendous amount of patient education.

But I believe it is also one of the greatest opportunities in healthcare today.

The Solution: Make Patient Education Part of the DPC Culture

So where does DPC begin solving this problem?

Educate. Educate. Educate.

Some people might call this marketing.

I believe it is something much deeper.

DPC isn’t simply a product to sell. It is a different healthcare model—one that patients need to understand.

Our job isn’t just to convince people to join.

Our job is to help them understand why this model exists, what problems it solves, and why it may be a better fit for their healthcare needs.

Education is the foundation of DPC growth.

And the good news is that primary care physicians are uniquely qualified to do this.

We aren’t salespeople. We’re educators.

Teaching patients is what primary care physicians have always done.

Every day, we explain diagnoses, discuss treatment options, interpret laboratory results, review medications, answer questions, and help patients make informed decisions about their health.

Teaching is already one of the most important parts of primary care.

Now we simply need to extend that same mindset to the healthcare system itself.

We need to help patients understand:

Why primary care is different from emergency and specialty care.
Why insurance is valuable, but isn’t necessarily designed to pay for every healthcare need.
Why an ongoing relationship with a physician matters.
Why access matters.
Why continuity matters.
Why knowing your physician—and having your physician know you—has value.
Why investing in primary care can be one of the most valuable investments a person makes in their health.

And this education doesn’t begin and end in the exam room.

It happens in conversations with friends and family.

It happens on social media.

It happens through websites, newsletters, community events, and employer partnerships.

It happens every time a potential patient interacts with a DPC practice.

Every one of those interactions is an opportunity to explain not just what DPC is, but why it matters.

Direct Primary Care Isn’t Just a Different Way to Pay for Healthcare

At its core, Direct Primary Care represents a different way of thinking about the doctor-patient relationship.

It puts primary care back at the center of healthcare.

It gives patients a clearer understanding of what they are paying for.

It gives physicians the opportunity to focus on relationships rather than volume.

And it gives patients something increasingly difficult to find in modern healthcare:

A doctor who knows them, is accessible to them, and is there when they need help.

That is the story Direct Primary Care needs to tell.

And the best way to tell it isn’t through better sales pitches.

It’s through better education.

Schedule your no obligation, Meet & Greet with Balanced Physician Care

March 26, 2026

NBC News Story: Explosive growth of Direct Primary Care Doctors

A.D. Ministrator Direct Primary Care Direct Primary Care, healthcare 0 Comments

What was a niche aspect of medical care just a few years ago has exploded to thousands of practices across the country. In direct primary care, medical providers don’t take insurance. Instead, their patients pay a monthly subscription fee. In exchange they get easier access, longer appointments, and continuity of care from the same provider. NBC News’ Anne Thompson reports on the doctor, and his patients, who says it’s a better way to practice medicine.

If you are interested in Direct Primary Care in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, visit the Balanced Physician Care membership page – www.balancedphysiciancare.com/membership

March 5, 2026

How Small Businesses Can Cut Healthcare Costs & Improve Employee Care

A.D. Ministrator Direct Primary Care, Insurance, Uncategorized Direct Primary Care 0 Comments

If you’re a small business owner tired of sky-high premiums—or an employee who wants better care without the runaround—this Video episode below is your roadmap.

Please visit the Balanced Physician Care Small Business page for Membership Options at https://balancedphysiciancare.com/business-direct-primary-care/

July 23, 2025

Use Health Savings Account (HSA) for a Balanced Physician Care Membership

A.D. Ministrator Direct Primary Care, Insurance Direct Primary Care, health insurance, Health Savings Account, HSA, Membership 0 Comments

You can now use your own Health Savings Account (HSA) to fund an affordable, monthly membership agreement with Balanced Physician Care without worrying about the IRS knocking at your door because you are considered ineligible to fund an HSA.

The newly passed, One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has a clause that is a game-changer for Direct Primary Care (DPC) practices like Balanced Physician Care.

Your employer may cover a Direct Primary Care agreement as a part of your health benefits plan, with even if that plan is a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with an HSA.

Employers may offer these Direct Primary Care plans with zero cost sharing and no out of pocket costs for primary care.

Employers, led by the Purchaser Business Group on Health (PBGH), The ERISA Industry Committee, Boeing, Amazon, and other businesses who have paved the way will now be able to offer a Direct Primary Care benefit to ALL their employees.

The federal government, for the purposes of both the tax code and the U.S. health code has acknowledged that DPC is an advanced primary care payment and delivery model, and that DPC IS NOT INSURANCE OR A HEALTH PLAN.

Are you in the Jacksonville, Florida area and ready to use your HSA dollars for personalized, primary care? Call us at 904.930.4774 to schedule a no obligation, Meet & Greet!

July 14, 2025

Prolozone Therapy® By Balanced Physician Care: An Overview

Dr. Sharyl Truty Health Tips, Direct Primary Care Prolozone, Prolozone Therapy 0 Comments

Prolozone Therapy®: An Alternative Treatment for Joint Pain and Chronic Conditions

Prolozone Therapy® is an alternative treatment sometimes used in integrative and holistic medicine. The therapy involves carefully injecting a solution that may include ozone (a form of oxygen), vitamins and minerals, and a local anesthetic into targeted tissues. Practitioners who offer Prolozone Therapy® suggest it may help support tissue health, circulation, and provide relief for certain types of chronic pain.

👉 Important Disclaimer: Prolozone Therapy® has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of any medical condition. Scientific evidence is limited, and results vary between individuals. This content is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or a guarantee of benefit. Always consult with a licensed healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment.

How Prolozone Therapy® Can Work

Prolozone Therapy® is sometimes described as a regenerative injection therapy. Practitioners believe that when ozone and nutrients are introduced into the body, it may:

Support oxygen use in tissues
Improve circulation
Stimulate the body’s natural repair processes

While research is ongoing, current studies remain preliminary and inconclusive. Some patients and practitioners report benefits for pain management, particularly in musculoskeletal conditions.

Key Components of Prolozone Therapy®

Ozone gas – A reactive form of oxygen thought to support oxygen utilization.
Nutrients – Vitamins and minerals sometimes added to support cellular repair.
Local anesthetic – Helps minimize discomfort during the injection.

Possible Uses of Prolozone Therapy®

Prolozone Therapy® is sometimes considered by people dealing with:

Arthritis (including knee and hip osteoarthritis)
Chronic pain conditions
Sports injuries
Back or neck pain
Tendon, ligament, or joint issues

⚠️ Note: Prolozone Therapy® should be considered experimental. Evidence for its effectiveness is limited, and outcomes vary by individual.

Is Prolozone Therapy® Safe?

When administered by trained professionals, Prolozone Therapy® is generally considered to have a low risk profile. Possible side effects may include:

Mild pain or soreness at the injection site
Temporary swelling or inflammation

Severe side effects are rare. Patients should discuss their full medical history with a qualified provider to determine whether Prolozone Therapy is appropriate for them.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Because Prolozone Therapy® is classified as an alternative treatment, it is usually not covered by insurance. Many clinics offer self-pay or financing options for patients who wish to explore this therapy.

Regulatory Status of Prolozone Therapy®

In the United States, Prolozone Therapy® and other ozone-based treatments fall under complementary and alternative medicine. They are not FDA-approved, and providers may not claim guaranteed results.

The Bottom Line

Prolozone Therapy® is an investigational, non-surgical treatment option that some patients seek for joint pain and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. While some studies and patient reports suggest potential benefits, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness.

If you are considering Prolozone Therapy®, speak with a licensed healthcare professional to understand the potential risks, costs, and whether this approach aligns with your overall care plan.

For more information on Prolozone Therapy®, visit Balanced Physician Care’s detailed guide.

June 27, 2025

Proactive Medicine, Metabolic Health & Treating the Whole Person

Dr. Sharyl Truty Direct Primary Care, Health Tips Direct Primary Care, holistic medicine, integrative medicine, lifestyle medicine, metabolic health, Proactive Medicine 0 Comments

Dr Delilah Beall DPT of Samson Strength & Performance Physical Therapy and Adrienne Denenberg PA-C spend some time talking about direct primary care and why it is better than traditional insurance-based primary care, functional medicine, and how to focus on long term health. In This episode you’ll hear about:

What a direct primary care model is and how it differs from traditional insurance-based care

How Adrienne combines traditional and functional medicine to treat the whole person

Why metabolic health is a key focus — and what it actually means

How lifestyle factors like sleep, stress, nutrition, and exercise play into long-term wellness

Common internal and external barriers that keep people from making healthy choices

Check out the podcast episode below (use the arrows to navigate):

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A post shared by Dr. Delilah Beall – expert strength coach for women (@dr.delilah.dpt)

June 12, 2025

Traditional Healthcare vs Direct Primary Care

Dr. Sharyl Truty Direct Primary Care 0 Comments

Your body deserves better than endless paperwork.

At Balanced Physician Care, we believe healthcare should feel personal, accessible, and genuinely focused on YOU.

A provider who knows your name, not just your chart

A response at 9PM when it matters, not a voicemail prompt

Real solutions, not just billing codes

You keep your insurance for the big emergencies — but for everyday wellness, prevention, and peace of mind?

Go Direct. Get Balanced. Call us at 904-930-4774 to schedule a no obligation, Meet & Greet.

April 15, 2025

Solving Common Direct Primary Care Issues

Dr. Sharyl Truty Direct Primary Care Direct Primary Care 0 Comments

When taking care of your health, choosing the right approach is essential. One option that’s growing in popularity is Direct Primary Care (DPC). This model focuses on bringing a fresh perspective to healthcare by forming a direct relationship between doctors and patients. It works on a membership basis, so patients pay a set fee to access various medical services without worrying about extra charges. With more people exploring this option, knowing the ins and outs of DPC can help you decide if it’s right for you.

Living in Jacksonville offers unique health challenges, and DPC practices like Balanced Physician Care are working to address these with personalized care. Services such as primary care, holistic medicine, sports medicine, and acupuncture form the foundation of their offerings. This setup allows patients to keep their health in check while exploring ways to stay well. Let’s look more closely at some common issues folks encounter with DPC and how solutions can improve the experience for everyone involved.

Common Issues with Direct Primary Care

One of the first things patients wonder about with Direct Primary Care is the membership-based model. It’s a shift from the usual fee-per-visit setup and involves paying a monthly or yearly fee to cover all primary care services. For some, paying upfront can make them uneasy, as they’re used to paying for each appointment separately. Some worry about whether the cost is worth it or if they’ll need more specialized care not covered by the plan.

Access to specialized services is another area where questions arise. While DPC offers valuable primary care, its integration with specialties like holistic medicine, hormone therapy, weight loss, sports medicine, and acupuncture makes it appealing to many. However, patients often wonder if these services are readily available or if they’ll need to seek out other providers. This concern leads many to ask how these specialized treatments affect their health plan.

Communication between patients and doctors is key. In a typical healthcare setting, patients might feel rushed during visits or unable to get answers to their questions. DPC aims to change that by ensuring that communication channels are open and active. Still, some patients wonder if their concerns will be fully heard and addressed in this model. Effective communication is crucial to ensure all health matters are discussed openly.

Lastly, managing health over time presents its own set of challenges. Regular follow-ups and personalized medical care plans are the cornerstone of DPC, yet staying consistent with appointments can be tough for some people. The busy schedules many have often mean that routine checks get pushed aside, which can hinder long-term health management. Patients need to understand the importance of regular visits in keeping track of their health journey.

Solutions to These Common Issues

A little clarity goes a long way for those concerned about membership-based models. Paying a set fee might seem unusual, but it simplifies expenses and covers a range of services without the surprise of extra charges. This model allows patients to focus on their health without financial worries, knowing precisely what they’re getting each month. Reassurances about cost transparency remind people of the predictability that DPC provides.

Meanwhile, access to specialized services might raise eyebrows, but it’s a key feature of DPC that enhances care. Patients have access to a blend of primary care, holistic medicine, sports medicine, hormone therapy, weight loss, and acupuncture without having to jump through hoops. This approach integrates different therapies, working together to address various health needs. It’s not about choosing one type of care but having a holistic plan that includes multiple healing practices.

Communication is another area that shines in the DPC model. The goal is to create an environment where patients feel heard and understood. Direct Primary Care facilitates open dialogue between patients and doctors, providing seamless communication tools. It’s not just about medical jargon; it’s about having a conversation where concerns are addressed, and patients feel part of the discussion.

Lastly, when considering health management and regular check-ups, DPC helps prioritize these through tailored care plans. By focusing on individual needs, patients can adhere to a proactive approach that keeps them on track. Consistent care helps monitor progress and adjust plans as needed, ensuring their health remains a top priority without constant reminders.

Why Choose Direct Primary Care in Jacksonville

Jacksonville residents have unique healthcare needs, and Direct Primary Care offers a solution tailored to those requirements. Through its comprehensive model, DPC provides an accessible and personal healthcare experience. The combination of various services under one roof appeals to those seeking traditional and alternative medicine approaches.

DPC’s convenience lies in its structured membership, which provides peace of mind and eliminates unexpected costs. Patients find comfort in knowing they have a dedicated team supporting their wellness journey. With the potential for personalized care plans, DPC stands out as a viable choice for maintaining health without the complexities of traditional healthcare settings.

Investing in one’s health through Direct Primary Care offers more than routine visits. It opens doors to engaging various healthcare methods, ensuring a well-rounded approach to well-being that resonates with the lifestyle and preferences of Jacksonville’s community.

Ready to take charge of your health with personalized care options? Explore how direct primary care in Jacksonville can support your wellness journey. Balanced Physician Care offers a membership-driven approach that includes primary care, holistic medicine, weigh loss plans, hormone therapy, sports medicine, and acupuncture. With these integrated services, you can enjoy a seamless healthcare experience tailored to your needs. Discover how this innovative model fits your lifestyle and start reaping the benefits today. Call the Balanced Physician Care office at 904.930.4774 for more information.

March 4, 2025

5 Ways Direct Primary Care Can Benefit You