Today, November 1, is National Direct Primary Care Day! As a physician who has built her entire practice around this model, I couldn't let the day pass without talking about why I believe it's such an important alternative to traditional healthcare.
If you've ever left a doctor's appointment feeling rushed, like you didn't get to ask all your questions, or wondering why it takes three weeks to get a callback, you're not alone.
I became a doctor because I wanted to take care of people. I wanted to get to know my patients, help them navigate their health, and be someone they could turn to when they needed medical advice.
But somewhere along the way, the healthcare system made that increasingly difficult. That's a big part of why I chose Direct Primary Care.
I'm Dr. Tara Tarantino, a board-certified family medicine and osteopathic physician in Walnut Creek, California. Here's what Direct Primary Care is, how it works, and why I believe it allows me to practice medicine the way it was meant to be practiced.
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a healthcare model in which you pay your primary care physician directly through a flat monthly membership rather than having your doctor bill your health insurance for primary care visits.
Think of it as a direct relationship between you and your doctor, without an insurance company middleman.
Your membership provides access to primary care, including office visits, virtual visits, communication with your physician, and ongoing management of your health.
No copays for covered membership visits. No worrying about whether you can squeeze one more question into your appointment. No insurance billing determining how your primary care is delivered.
Instead, your relationship with your doctor is the priority. And that's really the point.
Direct Primary Care vs. Concierge Medicine: What's the Difference?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but there is an important distinction.
Many concierge practices charge an additional membership or retainer fee while continuing to bill your health insurance for medical services.
Direct Primary Care is different. Your physician does not bill health insurance for the primary care services covered by your membership. You pay your physician directly. This allows the practice to operate outside the traditional insurance-based billing model.
You can still maintain health insurance for things like specialist visits, imaging, hospitalizations, emergency care, and surgery. In fact, I encourage my patients to have appropriate coverage for those services.
DPC isn't about getting rid of health insurance. It's about changing how you access primary care.
Why I Chose Direct Primary Care
My path to DPC wasn't something I planned from the beginning.
I went to medical school, completed residency, and spent years working in traditional insurance-based medicine. I worked within large medical groups, including John Muir Medical Group and BASS Medical Group, and spent about ten years caring for patients in that environment.
I loved Family Medicine. I still do. I love the variety, the relationships, getting to know entire families, and helping people with everything from preventive care to complicated medical conditions. But I increasingly found myself frustrated by the system surrounding the medicine. I wanted more time. I wanted more flexibility. I wanted to be able to make decisions based on what was best for my patients, not what was easiest to get approved or reimbursed.
In 2025, I attended a conference and heard a Direct Primary Care physician speak about the way she practiced. I realized there was another way. I founded Tarantino Medical Group in January 2025 and transitioned my practice to Direct Primary Care in January 2026. I ended my insurance contracts, and nearly 100 of my patients made the transition with me.
It was a big leap, but it was exactly the kind of practice I wanted to build and I am so glad I did.
What Does Direct Primary Care Actually Look Like?
So what does this mean for you as a patient? At my Walnut Creek practice, it means:
Longer appointments.
We have time to talk about more than one thing. Your physical doesn't have to be limited to a quick review of your medications and a few basic questions. We can discuss your sleep, nutrition, exercise, stress, hormones, mental health, preventive care, and anything else affecting your health.
Direct access to your physician.
You can message me directly rather than navigating a call center or waiting for someone to relay a message. I want you to have a doctor you can actually reach when questions come up.
A smaller practice by design.
I intentionally keep my membership panel smaller so I can know my patients, remember their histories, and provide more individualized care.
Personalized, whole-person medicine.
Health isn't just a collection of lab results and diagnoses. We look at the bigger picture, including lifestyle, sleep, stress, nutrition, hormones, medications, and the things that affect how you feel every day.
More flexibility in how we approach your health.
As a family medicine and osteopathic physician, I offer a broad range of services, including medication management, weight and metabolic health, perimenopause and menopause care, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) for musculoskeletal concerns.
I also offer medical-grade red light therapy and have incorporated musculoskeletal ultrasound into my practice to help evaluate certain joint, tendon, and soft tissue concerns.
The goal is to look beyond simply treating symptoms and work together to understand what's going on and what we can do about it.
What's Included in My Direct Primary Care Membership?
At Tarantino Medical Group, your membership is designed to make primary care accessible and straightforward.
Membership includes:
In-person and virtual primary care visits.
Direct access to me.
Hour-long annual comprehensive physical with InBody 580 body composition assessment.
Preventive care and chronic condition management.
Medication management.
Personalized guidance on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and lifestyle.
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) at discounted rates.
Medical-grade red light therapy at discounted rates.
I also offer additional services and treatments, including weight management, hormone management, and pain management.
Labs, imaging, medications, and services outside the membership are separate expenses. I work to obtain competitive cash-pay pricing whenever possible, and you'll know the cost before we move forward.
I believe healthcare should be transparent. You shouldn't have to wonder what you're going to be charged after an appointment.
Do You Still Need Health Insurance With Direct Primary Care?
Yes! Your membership covers your primary care relationship. It is not comprehensive health insurance.
You'll still want health insurance or another appropriate arrangement to cover things like emergency room visits, hospitalizations and surgeries, specialist care, imaging, and other medical expenses outside your primary care membership.
Some patients choose to pair DPC with a high-deductible health plan, a Bronze plan, or another coverage option that makes sense for their family and financial situation. The idea is to use your insurance for the bigger, unexpected medical expenses while paying your physician directly for everyday primary care.
With open enrollment beginning, it's a great time to evaluate your options and think about whether a different approach to healthcare might make sense.
What about using an HSA?
There have been important federal changes to Health Savings Account (HSA) rules beginning in 2026. Under the new rules, certain qualifying Direct Primary Care arrangements can be paid for using HSA funds. However, there are specific requirements involving the services provided, membership fees, and eligibility to continue contributing to an HSA. The rules are not one-size-fits-all, so don't assume every DPC membership automatically qualifies for both tax-free reimbursement and continued HSA contributions. Check with your tax professional or HSA administrator before making decisions based on these rules.
Is Direct Primary Care Right for You?
DPC isn't necessarily the right fit for everyone, and that's okay.
It may be a great fit if you:
Want a physician who knows you, your history, and your family.
Feel like your current primary care appointments are too rushed.
Want more time to discuss your health concerns.
Have ongoing health concerns that require more frequent communication and follow-up.
Are navigating perimenopause, menopause, weight management, or chronic health conditions.
Value having direct access to your physician.
Have a high deductible and want a more predictable approach to primary care expenses.
It's also a great option for families who want one physician who can care for multiple members of the household.
A Different Way to Do Primary Care in Walnut Creek
Building my own Direct Primary Care practice has been one of the most rewarding decisions I've made in my career. I get to spend more time with my patients, practice the kind of medicine I believe in, and build relationships that extend beyond a 15-minute appointment. I get to talk about the things that matter to you, answer your questions, and help you make decisions about your health without constantly fighting an insurance-driven system. I love being a Family Medicine doctor even more now.
If you're looking for a primary care physician in Walnut Creek who takes the time to get to know you, I'd love for you to learn more about how my practice works.
Tarantino Medical Group is accepting new patients, ages 10 and up, individuals, couples, and families.
You can learn more or schedule a complimentary 20-minute meet and greet here.
Website: www.taratarantino.com
Location: Walnut Creek, California
Phone: 925-448-2610
Here's to a different kind of healthcare, one where the patient-physician relationship comes first.