Direct Primary Care vs Concierge Medicine: Why the Difference Matters for Burned-Out PAs
If you’re a PA working in today’s system, you probably know the feeling:
Ten minutes per patient, endless charts to finish at night.
Corporate quotas that measure productivity instead of people.
Compensation that doesn’t come close to the value you bring.
You didn’t train for this. You trained to practice medicine in a way that actually helps people! And right now, the system is making that almost impossible.
So when someone mentions Direct Primary Care (DPC), you might wonder: “Isn’t that just concierge medicine?”
Not. At. All. And understanding the difference could be the key to reclaiming your career.
Concierge Medicine: More of the Same, Just with a Price Tag
Concierge medicine was built as an “upgrade” to the insurance system:
Patients pay thousands per year in addition to their insurance.
The practice often still bills insurance for every visit, test, and procedure.
The benefit? Patients buy more time and access. But it’s only an option for the wealthy.
If you’re already burned out by coding, prior auths, and endless paperwork, concierge medicine won’t free you. It just adds another layer of exclusivity.
Direct Primary Care: A Way Out of the Treadmill
Direct Primary Care takes a different path:
Patients pay a flat monthly membership (often less than a cell phone bill).
That membership covers all routine primary care. That means no surprise bills for patients and no coding games for you.
You stop billing insurance completely.
For PAs, this means you can finally practice the way you were trained: with time to listen, continuity with your patients, and the freedom to put relationships ahead of quotas.
Why This Matters for PAs
Concierge medicine is about exclusivity. DPC is about accessibility for both patients and clinicians.
Patients finally get care that’s personal, affordable, and transparent.
Clinicians finally get to step off the treadmill and build a sustainable practice that serves their community without burning them out.
That’s the difference. And for PAs who still love medicine but hate the system, it’s not just a difference in model. It’s the difference between staying stuck and finally finding freedom!
