Direct primary care in the Pooler and Savannah area generally costs around $70 to $120 per month for adults, depending on the practice, age, and membership structure. Some practices also charge a one-time enrollment fee. Family Medicine of Pooler, for example, currently charges $80 per month for adults ages 20–44, $100 for ages 45–64, and $120 for patients 65 and older.

What Affects the Cost of Direct Primary Care?

Direct primary care pricing is not the same at every practice. The monthly fee often depends on the patient’s age, whether the membership is for one person or a family, and what the practice includes in the plan.

Some DPC practices also charge a one-time enrollment fee when you join. Others may offer different pricing for children, couples, families, or employers.

What is included in the monthly fee also matters. Routine visits and preventive care may be covered, while certain lab tests, imaging, medications, or procedures could cost extra.

That is why it is better to compare more than just the monthly membership price. Before joining, check what is included, what you may have to pay for separately, and whether there are any additional enrollment or service fees.

What Does a DPC Membership Usually Include?

Most direct primary care memberships cover the everyday primary care patients use throughout the year. That can include routine visits, preventive care, ongoing management of chronic conditions, and follow-up appointments.

Many DPC practices also offer easier access to the physician through same-day or next-day appointments, telehealth, phone calls, or secure messaging. Some basic in-office procedures may also be included, depending on the practice.

For example, Family Medicine of Pooler includes access to routine primary care, preventive visits, chronic condition management, telemedicine, and direct communication with the physician as part of its DPC membership. The practice also includes certain in-office services, although some tests, procedures, or outside services may carry an additional cost.

The exact benefits can vary from one DPC practice to another, so patients should check what is included in the monthly fee before comparing membership prices.

Are There Extra Costs Beyond the Monthly Fee?

Yes. A direct primary care membership usually covers the primary care services included in the plan, but it does not mean every healthcare expense is covered by the monthly fee.

Patients may still have separate costs for services such as:

  • Certain laboratory tests
  • Imaging
  • Prescription medications
  • Specialist visits
  • Emergency care
  • Hospital treatment

Some DPC practices negotiate lower cash prices for labs, medications, imaging, or other outside services. That can help reduce out-of-pocket costs, but these arrangements vary from one practice to another.

For example, Family Medicine of Pooler offers members access to discounted pricing for certain medications, labs, imaging, and procedures. These costs are separate from the monthly membership when they apply.

Is Direct Primary Care Cheaper Than Traditional Primary Care?

Direct primary care can make primary care spending more predictable because members pay a fixed monthly fee instead of paying separately for many routine visits.

That does not mean DPC is always cheaper. The actual cost depends on how often you use primary care, what the membership includes, and what you currently pay through insurance premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

For someone who sees a primary care doctor several times a year, manages a chronic condition, or values easier access to their physician, a DPC membership may offer better value. Someone who rarely uses primary care may look at the cost differently.

The best comparison is not simply the monthly membership fee versus a copay. It is the total amount you spend on primary care over the year and what level of access and services you receive for that cost.

Do You Still Need Health Insurance With DPC?

Yes, in most cases it is still a good idea to have health insurance because direct primary care is not a replacement for major medical coverage.

Your DPC membership is designed for primary care, but it usually does not cover expenses such as:

  • Emergency room visits
  • Hospital stays
  • Surgery
  • Specialist care
  • Major imaging
  • Other services provided outside the DPC practice

Many patients use DPC for their everyday primary care needs and keep health insurance for larger or unexpected medical expenses.

How to Compare DPC Membership Costs Before Joining

Before choosing a direct primary care membership, look beyond the monthly price. Two practices can charge similar fees but include very different levels of care.

Compare:

  • The monthly membership fee
  • Any one-time enrollment or registration fee
  • What services are included
  • Which services cost extra
  • Whether discounted labs, medications, or imaging are available
  • How easily you can reach your physician
  • Whether same-day, next-day, telehealth, or direct messaging access is included

For example, a $70 membership is not necessarily a better value than a $100 membership if the lower-priced plan includes fewer services or leaves you paying separately for care you use regularly.

The better comparison is the total value of the membership, including what you pay, what is included, and how much access you actually get to your primary care physician.