Why We Left Insurance-Based Medicine for Direct Primary Care

Why We Left Insurance-Based Medicine for Direct Primary Care

From the team at Datri MD, Stone Oak

Dr. Jewel Datri became a doctor to know her patients — not to race a clock. She spent two years practicing primary care at a Federally Qualified Health Center here in San Antonio, work we're proud of. But she kept running into the same wall: the system around the visit left too little room for the visit itself.

What insurance-based primary care looks like from the inside

In a traditional clinic, insurance shapes almost everything — including how long you get with your doctor. Practices are paid per visit and per billing code, so the math pushes toward more patients, shorter appointments, and more paperwork.

From the exam room, that looks like:

  • Rushed visits. You came in with three concerns, but there's only time for one.
  • Long waits. Getting an appointment can take weeks, and the waiting room adds more.
  • Hard-to-reach doctors. A simple question often means another visit, or a message that disappears into a portal.
  • Surprise bills. Even with insurance, it's hard to know what a visit will cost until the bill arrives.

None of this is anyone's fault. It's how the system is built. But we wanted to practice medicine in a way where the relationship comes first.

So we built something different. Datri MD is a direct primary care (DPC) practice, and for our first blog post, we want to explain why we made the switch — and what it means for you.

So what is direct primary care?

Direct primary care is a membership. You pay a flat monthly fee directly to your doctor's practice, and that covers your primary care. We don't bill insurance for it — no copays, no claims, no surprise statements.

Think of it like a gym membership, but for your everyday health. You know the price up front, and you can use your doctor when you need to, without worrying about what each visit will cost.

Because we aren't working through insurance billing, we can keep our patient panel smaller. That's what makes everything else possible: your doctor, your time, your care.

What changes for you

  • Visit length: often short and rushed → longer, unhurried visits
  • Scheduling: wait weeks for an opening → timely, flexible scheduling
  • Reaching your doctor: through the front desk or a portal → direct access to your physician
  • Cost: copays, deductibles, surprise bills → one flat fee of $150/month
  • Paperwork: claims and billing codes → no insurance billing

The biggest change is time. When a visit isn't squeezed into a slot, we can talk through all your concerns, look at the whole picture, and make a plan together.

Common questions

Do I still need health insurance? Yes, we recommend it. DPC covers your primary care, but insurance is still important for things like hospital stays, surgery, specialists, and emergencies. Many patients pair a DPC membership with a high-deductible plan. Good news: starting January 1, 2026, a new federal law lets you pay DPC membership fees from your Health Savings Account (HSA), up to $150/month for an individual or $300/month for a family, and having DPC no longer disqualifies you from contributing to an HSA. Bronze and catastrophic Marketplace plans can now be paired with an HSA too. Check with your HSA administrator or a tax professional about your own situation.

Is this concierge medicine? It's similar in spirit, but DPC is designed to be affordable. There's no insurance billing layered on top of the membership fee.

Who is DPC a good fit for? People who want a doctor who knows them. That includes families, self-employed folks, small-business owners, people managing chronic conditions, and anyone tired of rushed appointments.

What if I'm not sure yet? Come meet Dr. Datri. Our 15-minute meet & greet is free, with no commitment.

Your doctor. Your time. Your care.

Leaving insurance-based medicine was a big decision, but it was the right one. It lets Dr. Datri practice the way she was trained to, with time to listen and follow through.

Datri MD is now accepting new patients in Stone Oak. If you'd like to see whether DPC is right for you, we'd love to meet you.

Book your free 15-minute meet & greet: (210) 943-9578 · DatriMD.com

540 Madison Oak Dr, Ste 370 · San Antonio, TX 78258

This post is for general information and isn't medical advice. Please talk with a doctor about your own health needs.

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Why We Left Insurance-Based Medicine for Direct Primary Care

Why We Left Insurance-Based Medicine for Direct Primary Care

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