Understanding the Key Differences Between Direct Primary Care and Concierge Medicine
- Dr. Kishan Patel, MD — Board-Certified Internal Medicine
- Jun 1
- 5 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Most people have never heard of Direct Primary Care until they are fed up with rushed appointments, mounting copays, and feeling like a number in a crowded waiting room. If you have been searching for a better way to get care from a doctor who actually knows you, you have probably come across two terms: Direct Primary Care and Concierge Medicine. They sound similar. They are not.
This guide breaks down what each model actually means, how the costs compare, and why the difference matters for your health and your wallet.
The Problem With Traditional Primary Care
The average primary care visit in a traditional insurance based practice lasts about 15 minutes. Your doctor may be managing 2,000 or more patients. Getting a same day appointment can feel impossible, and when you do get in, you may leave with more questions than answers.
Both Direct Primary Care and Concierge Medicine were created as responses to this problem. But they solve it in very different ways.
What Is Concierge Medicine?
Concierge medicine is a membership model where patients pay an annual retainer (sometimes called a membership fee) directly to their physician in exchange for more personalized access and service. Think longer appointments, a direct phone number for the doctor, and same-day or next-day scheduling.
Here is the part that surprises many people: most concierge practices still bill your insurance for each visit. That means you are paying the annual retainer on top of your regular insurance premiums, copays, and deductibles. The retainer typically buys you better access, not a lower overall cost.
Annual retainers for concierge practices often range from $2,000 to $5,000 per year, and some premium practices charge significantly more. For some patients with complex needs, the white-glove service is worth it. For most people, especially those on fixed incomes or Medicare, it adds up fast.
What Is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care, or DPC, takes a different approach entirely. There is no insurance billing for primary care. No copays. No per-visit charges. Instead, you pay a simple, monthly membership fee directly to your doctor's practice. That fee covers your primary care visits, as many as your health needs.
Because DPC practices do not deal with insurance paperwork for every visit, they can keep overhead low, spend more time with each patient, and limit the number of people they serve. The result is a more personal, more accessible relationship with your doctor.
Monthly DPC memberships typically range from $90 to $200 depending on the practice and the patient's age. At Sarova Health in Myrtle Beach, the membership is a flat $125 per month per adult member, with no surprise charges for primary care visits.
How They Compare Side by Side
Feature | Concierge Medicine | Sarova Health (DPC) |
|---|---|---|
Monthly cost | Often $165–$400+/mo (based on typical annual retainers) | $125/month per adult |
Annual retainer | Yes, often $2,000–$5,000/year | None |
Insurance billing for visits | Yes most practices still bill insurance | No insurance billing for primary care visits |
Copays per visit | Often yes (standard insurance copays apply) | No copays from Sarova |
Patient panel size | Varies, often 100–600+ patients | Intentionally small — a fraction of a typical panel |
Same-day or next-day access | Usually yes | Yes, for most non-emergency needs, Mon–Fri |
Direct doctor communication | Yes | Yes — call, text, or message |
Replaces health insurance | No | No — members keep their existing coverage |
About Sarova Health in Myrtle Beach
Sarova Health is a Direct Primary Care practice serving adults in the Myrtle Beach area. Dr. Patel built Sarova Health around one idea: that every patient deserves a doctor who has time for them.
Here is what membership at Sarova Health looks like:
$125 per month per adult member
No copays and no per-visit billing from Sarova Health
No insurance billing for primary care visits with Dr. Patel
No separate annual retainer
Direct access to Dr. Patel by call, text, or message, with a response by the next business day at the latest
Same-day or next-day appointments for most non-emergency needs, Monday through Friday
Longer, unhurried visits (typically 30–60 minutes) and your first visit 90 minutes
Sarova Health stays intentionally small. That limit is not a marketing gimmick. It exists to protect something that has become rare in modern healthcare: a doctor who knows your name, your history, and your goals, and who has the time to act on all three.
Sarova Health Is Primary Care, Not Health Insurance
This is one of the most important things to understand about any Direct Primary Care practice, including Sarova Health. Your monthly membership covers primary care. It is not a replacement for health insurance.
You should keep your existing coverage for situations that go beyond primary care. That includes:
Hospital stays and emergency room visits
Specialist care (cardiologists, orthopedists, and others)
Surgery and procedures
Imaging like MRIs and CT scans
Prescription medications
Whatever coverage you have, whether Medicare, TRICARE, employer-sponsored insurance, or an individual plan, keep it. Sarova works alongside your existing coverage, not instead of it. Many members pair their Sarova Health membership with a high-deductible health plan or a health-sharing program to keep total healthcare costs manageable, and membership fees may be eligible for payment through HSA, HRA, or FSA accounts under current federal rules. Check with your plan administrator or tax advisor about your situation.
A note for Medicare beneficiaries: Dr. Patel has opted out of Medicare, which means Medicare does not pay for his services and no claims are submitted to Medicare for Sarova care. Your Medicare benefits remain fully intact for everything outside the practice. We explain this in plain language before you enroll.
Who Benefits Most From Direct Primary Care?
DPC tends to be an especially good fit for people who:
Want a consistent, personal relationship with their primary care doctor
Are managing one or more chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid disease
Find traditional office visits rushed or impersonal
Want predictable, flat-rate costs with no billing surprises
Live in or near Myrtle Beach and want a local doctor who is truly reachable
The Simple Version
If you are trying to choose between the two models, here is the clearest way to think about it:
Concierge medicine gives you access to your doctor while still working within the traditional insurance system. You pay a premium for that access, and you often still deal with copays and insurance billing on top of it.
Direct Primary Care steps outside the insurance system entirely for primary care. You pay one affordable flat monthly fee that covers your visits with Dr. Patel. No hidden fees from Sarova, no copays, and no complexity. Just simple care with transparent pricing the way healthcare should be.
At Sarova Health, that fee is $125 per month. For many people, that is less than the cost of a single specialist copay, a trip to urgent care, or a month of unused gym memberships. And unlike those things, your Sarova Health membership means Dr. Patel is available when you actually need him.
Ready to Experience the Difference?
If you are ready for primary care that puts you first, join the waitlist below. Because the practice stays small by design, availability is limited.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and not medical advice. It does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult your physician before making health changes. Sarova Health is a Direct Primary Care practice in Myrtle Beach and Grand Strand. Membership is not health insurance; maintain major medical coverage for hospital and emergency care.
