← Back to InsightsApril 15, 2026 · By PPA Editorial
DPC vs concierge vs insurance: how to choose a practice model
A field guide to the three dominant private practice models, the financial profile of each, and the kind of practice they produce.
The model you pick shapes the practice you build. Direct primary care (DPC) trades insurance complexity for patient-paid monthly fees. Concierge layers a retainer on top of insurance billing. A hybrid model splits the patient panel between the two.
No model is universally correct. The right choice depends on your panel size, geography, payer mix, and the kind of life you want to build around your practice.
This article walks through the financial profile of each model, the operational tradeoffs, and the questions PPA members ask before committing.