“If DPC covers my everyday healthcare needs, how do I protect myself from a major medical event?”
It’s a great question — and an important one.
The truth is that DPC is not meant to replace catastrophic coverage. Instead, it dramatically reduces what you spend on routine care, while giving you the freedom to choose a simple, affordable safety net for the “big stuff.”
Here are a few straightforward, low-cost options many of our members use to stay fully protected.
1. Pair DPC with a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
This is one of the most popular approaches.
With an HDHP, you’re covered for emergencies, hospitalizations, surgeries, or anything major — while your Integrative Family Medicine membership handles the majority of your day-to-day care.
Because your DPC membership gives you unlimited access to primary care, you’ll likely use your insurance far less and save significantly over time.
2. Use a Health Savings Account (HSA)
DPC memberships allow you to relax knowing your basic health care needs are covered and your out of pocket expenses are less.
If you have (or choose) an HDHP, you can contribute to an HSA.
This tax-advantaged account lets you set aside money tax-free for qualified medical expenses. HSAs:
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roll over from year to year
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never expire
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can be used for many types of unexpected medical costs
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are available to both employed and self-employed individuals (as long as you’re paired with an HDHP)
For many patients, an HDHP + HSA + DPC is the most predictable and financially efficient combination.
3. Consider a Medical Cost-Sharing Program
Medical cost-sharing is not insurance — but it is a widely used alternative.
Members contribute to a community fund that helps cover large medical expenses such as:
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hospitalizations
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surgeries
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imaging
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specialist care
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long-term emergencies
These programs often cost significantly less than traditional insurance and work beautifully alongside DPC, since DPC handles almost all primary and preventive care.
How DPC Reduces Out-of-Pocket Costs — With or Without Insurance
Whether you’re insured, under-insured, or uninsured, DPC reduces the financial burden of everyday care by offering:
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unlimited primary care visits
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longer appointments
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direct access to your provider
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discounted labs and imaging
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affordable medications
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faster access that prevents expensive ER and urgent care visits
When routine healthcare is taken care of affordably, you can choose a catastrophic option that fits your budget — without sacrificing quality or access.
To help make all of this easier to understand, I recently wrote a breakdown of how DPC offsets out-of-pocket expenses in different insurance situations.
You can read it here.
Still Unsure What’s Best for You? We Can Help.
Everyone’s situation is different — and choosing the right combination of DPC + catastrophic coverage can feel overwhelming. If you’d like personalized guidance, we’re happy to talk through your options and help you find a setup that provides great care and financial peace of mind.
Have questions? Just reach out. We’re here to help you navigate confidently. [email protected]