Is Direct Primary Care Right for You? 10 Questions, Answered

From the team at Datri MD, Stone Oak

People often ask us whether direct primary care (DPC) would work for them. The answer depends on where you are in life: your coverage, your health, and what you need from a doctor.

So we gathered the ten questions we hear most and answered them in one place. Start with the ones that sound like you.

1. How is DPC different from concierge medicine or urgent care?

• Direct primary care: a flat monthly membership paid to your doctor. No insurance billing. You get an ongoing relationship with one physician. At Datri MD, that's $150/month.
• Concierge medicine: also a membership with extra access, but fees are often higher, and many concierge practices still bill your insurance for visits on top of the fee.
• Urgent care: walk-in care for a sudden problem, like a sprain or a sore throat. You'll usually see whoever is on shift, and they won't know your history.

Urgent care is useful in a pinch. DPC is for the long haul — a doctor who knows you, so many of those urgent problems can be handled with a quick message or same-week visit instead.

2. What happens at my first visit?

It starts before you join, with a free 15-minute meet & greet. If it feels like a good fit, your first full visit is where Dr. Datri gets to know you.

To make the most of it, bring:

• A list of every medication and supplement you take (or the bottles themselves)
• Your recent lab results and records from past doctors, if you have them
• Your top questions and concerns — all of them, not just one

Expect a real conversation about your history, your goals, and a plan for what comes next.

3. What should I ask before joining any DPC practice?

Whether you choose us or another practice, these five questions will help you compare:

1. What exactly does the monthly fee cover? Ask about visits, messaging, and how labs and medications are priced.
2. How do I reach the doctor? Find out whether you can call or text your physician directly, and how fast to expect a reply.
3. How soon can I be seen? Ask about wait times for routine and same-day needs.
4. What is the doctor's training? A family physician and an internist bring different strengths. Dr. Datri is a board-certified internist who cares for adults.
5. What are the terms? Check for enrollment fees, minimum commitments, and how to cancel.

We're happy to answer every one of these at your meet & greet.

4. I'm self-employed or uninsured. Does DPC make sense?

Often, yes. DPC gives you predictable everyday care for one flat fee, so a routine visit or a sick day doesn't come with a surprise bill.

DPC is not insurance, though. It doesn't cover hospital stays, surgery, or emergencies. Many people pair it with:

• A high-deductible or catastrophic plan for the big, unexpected costs. Starting in 2026, Bronze and catastrophic Marketplace plans can be paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA), and HSA funds can pay DPC fees up to $150/month for an individual.
• A health-sharing ministry, which some families use instead of insurance. These are not insurance and don't guarantee payment, so read the terms carefully.

Not sure what fits? Talk with a licensed insurance agent or tax professional about your situation.

5. I'm a veteran or military family member. Can DPC work with VA care or TRICARE?

It can work alongside them. Some veterans keep their VA benefits for specialty care and prescriptions, and use DPC for faster, more personal everyday care.

A few things to know:

• VA and TRICARE generally don't pay DPC membership fees, so the membership is out of pocket.
• If you have TRICARE Prime, check how seeing a doctor outside your assigned clinic affects your referrals.
• We can help coordinate with your VA or military providers so your records stay connected.

Dr. Datri trained in part at the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, where she was named a VA Health Professions Outstanding Trainee. She understands how veterans' care works.

6. I'm on Medicare (or turning 65). Can I still join?

Many people on Medicare do use DPC, but the rules are different, so it's worth understanding them first.

• Medicare doesn't pay DPC membership fees. The membership is paid out of pocket.
• Your Medicare still works everywhere else. Hospital stays, specialists, and other covered care are still billed to Medicare as usual.
• There's paperwork. Dr. Datri has opted out of Medicare. That means Medicare won't pay for her services, and Medicare patients sign a short private agreement with her that explains this. We'll walk you through it before you join.

If you have a Medicare Advantage or supplement plan, ask how it handles care from a doctor who doesn't bill Medicare. And bring your questions to the meet & greet — we'll give you a straight answer.

7. I take a lot of medications. How can DPC help?

When several specialists each prescribe something, it's easy for medications to pile up. Some may overlap, interact, or no longer be needed. Older adults are especially likely to run into this.

A regular medication review is one of the most useful things a primary care doctor can do. With longer visits, Dr. Datri can go through every pill and supplement with you, check how they work together, and simplify where it's safe to do so. As an internist with a focus on older adults, this is work she does every day.

Never stop or change a medication on your own — talk with your doctor first.

8. I have diabetes. Why does everyone keep talking about my feet?

Diabetes can reduce feeling and blood flow in the feet. That means a small blister or cut can go unnoticed and turn into a wound that's slow to heal.

Simple habits make a big difference:

• Check your feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling.
• Wear shoes and socks that fit well, and don't go barefoot.
• Call your doctor about any sore that isn't healing.

With DPC, you can send that message the day you notice something, instead of waiting weeks for an appointment. Dr. Datri treats wounds right here at Datri MD, backed by additional training in wound care and hyperbaric medicine she completed in 2026. If a wound needs hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which our office doesn't offer, she'll refer you to a specialist.

9. Can my primary care doctor help with HIV testing, prevention, or care?

Yes — and it's a normal part of good primary care. The CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once, and more often if you may be at higher risk.

Primary care is also a natural place to talk about PrEP, a medicine that greatly lowers the chance of getting HIV when taken as prescribed. And people living with HIV benefit from a primary care doctor who understands how HIV and its treatment affect the rest of their health.

Dr. Datri is credentialed as an HIV Specialist (AAHIVS) by the American Academy of HIV Medicine. At Datri MD, she offers HIV testing, prescribes PrEP, and provides primary care for people living with HIV. These conversations are private, judgment-free, and part of routine care.

10. Is it a cold, the flu, or cedar fever?

If you've spent a winter in San Antonio, you know cedar fever. It's an allergic reaction to mountain cedar (Ashe juniper) pollen, which usually peaks from December through February. Despite the name, it rarely causes a real fever.

Some quick clues:

• Cedar fever: itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, congestion, and feeling worn out — often worse on dry, windy days.
• Cold: a gradual sore throat, runny nose, and cough.
• Flu: sudden fever, chills, body aches, and exhaustion.

Getting your flu shot before winter helps. And when you can't tell what you've got, DPC means you can message your doctor and get answers quickly, instead of sitting in a waiting room.

The common thread

Whether you're self-employed, a veteran, on Medicare, managing diabetes or a long medication list, or just tired of guessing whether it's cedar fever again, the answer comes back to the same thing: a doctor who knows you and has time for you.

That's what direct primary care is built for.

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

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

Your doctor. Your time. Your care.

This post is for general information and isn't medical, legal, or financial advice. Please talk with your doctor, insurance agent, or tax professional about your own situation.