Conditions We Treat in Shreveport

Direct Primary Care Explained: The Most Common Questions—For Patients, Families, and Employers

If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s office feeling rushed, confused, or surprised by a bill you didn’t expect, you’re not imagining things. Traditional healthcare has become complicated, expensive, and frustrating for patients, families, and employers alike.

That’s why more people in Shreveport are asking about Direct Primary Care (DPC).

It sounds simple.
It sounds different.
And naturally, it raises questions.

Is it real healthcare?
Is it insurance?
Is it affordable?
Is it legal?
Who is it actually for?
Does it work for businesses, too?

At Shreveport Direct Care, we believe healthcare should be clear, honest, and easy to understand. This page is designed to be your plain-English, no-jargon guide to how Direct Primary Care really works—both for individuals and for employers.

Think of this as the page you bookmark, share, and come back to when you want healthcare to finally make sense.

What Is Direct Primary Care? (The Foundation)

Direct Primary Care is a healthcare model where patients or employers pay a simple monthly membership fee for primary care services—without using insurance for each visit.

That membership typically includes:

• Unlimited primary care visits

• Same-day or next-day appointments

• Longer, unrushed visits

• Direct access to your doctor (often by text or phone)

• Preventive care

• Chronic disease management

• Urgent sick visits

• Care coordination

• Deeply discounted labs and medications- At Shreveport Direct care about 1000 meds are included in your membership.

There are no copays, no deductibles, and no surprise bills for primary care.

Instead of paying every time you get sick, you pay one predictable monthly fee and use care as often as you need.

PART 1: DIRECT PRIMARY CARE FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES

Question #1: Is Direct Primary Care the Same as Health Insurance?

No—and this is important.

Direct Primary Care is not insurance. It’s a healthcare service.

Think of it like this:

• DPC = your everyday doctor care

• Insurance = protection from big, unexpected events

DPC covers about 80–90% of what most people actually use healthcare for, including:

• Illnesses

• Preventive visits

• Chronic conditions

• Medication management

• Mental health support

Insurance is still useful for:

• Hospitalizations

• Surgeries

• Emergency room visits

• Specialist care

• Advanced imaging

Most patients pair DPC with a high-deductible or catastrophic insurance plan, which often costs far less overall and works better in real life.

Question #2: Is Direct Primary Care Legal?

Yes—completely legal.

Direct Primary Care is recognized under federal law as a non-insurance healthcare arrangement. Patients can join whether they have traditional insurance, a high-deductible plan, or no insurance at all.

This model is used nationwide by individuals, families, and employers.

Question #3: Why Is Direct Primary Care So Much Cheaper Than Traditional Care?

Because it removes the middleman.

Traditional healthcare prices are inflated by:

• Insurance billing

• Coding requirements

• Claims processing

• Administrative overhead

• Facility fees

• Third-party negotiations

Direct Primary Care skips all of that.

At Shreveport Direct Care, we don’t bill insurance. That allows us to:

• Spend more time with patients

• Offer transparent pricing

• Provide wholesale lab pricing

• Offer affordable medications

• Focus on prevention instead of volume

Less paperwork = lower costs = better care.

Question #4: Can I Really See My Doctor as Often as I Want?

Yes—and that’s one of the biggest benefits.

Your direct primary care membership in Shreveport includes unlimited visits, which means:

• No deciding whether something is “worth” a visit

• No delaying care to save money

• No rushed appointments

• No “one problem per visit” rules

If you need follow-ups, reassurance, or check-ins, you can come in—or reach out—without worrying about extra charges.

More access leads to earlier care, better outcomes, and fewer emergencies.

Question #5: What Happens If I Get Sick After Hours or on the Weekend?

This is where DPC really shines.

In traditional systems, after-hours care often means:

• Urgent care visits

• ER trips

• Long waits

• High bills

With Direct Primary Care, patients can often:

• Text or message their doctor

• Get guidance quickly

• Decide whether an in-person visit is needed

• Avoid unnecessary urgent care visits

Sometimes you don’t need an ER—you just need a doctor who knows you and can give clear advice.

Question #6: What About Lab Tests and Medications—Aren’t Those Expensive?

They can be—unless you’re in a DPC practice.

Because DPC clinics bypass insurance pricing, they can offer wholesale lab and medication pricing, such as:

• Blood tests that cost $100+ through insurance may cost $10–$25

• Common generic medications may cost just a few dollars

• Prices are shared upfront—not billed weeks later

For families and patients with chronic conditions, these savings alone can exceed the cost of membership.

Question #7: Is Direct Primary Care Only for Healthy People?

Not at all.

While DPC is great for prevention, it’s especially valuable for people with ongoing or complex health needs, including:

• Diabetes

• High blood pressure

• Asthma

• Thyroid disease

• Anxiety or depression

• High cholesterol

• Weight concerns

DPC allows for:

• Frequent follow-ups

• Longer visits

• Ongoing communication

• Medication adjustments

• Lifestyle coaching

• Early intervention

Traditional systems rush chronic care. DPC builds relationships around it.

Question #8: What If I Need a Specialist or Hospital Care?

Your DPC doctor doesn’t disappear.

Instead, they act as your guide and advocate, helping with:

• Deciding whether a referral is necessary

• Choosing the right specialist

• Coordinating care

• Reviewing results

• Explaining recommendations

Think of your DPC doctor as the quarterback of your healthcare team—making sure nothing falls through the cracks.

Question #9: Is Direct Primary Care Worth It?

For most patients, yes—and not just financially.

DPC is worth it if you value:

• Easy access to your doctor

• Longer visits

• Clear pricing

• Fewer surprise bills

• Better chronic disease management

• Less urgent care and ER use

• A real doctor–patient relationship

Many patients save money overall by reducing ER visits, urgent care use, and overpriced labs and medications. But the biggest benefit most people mention?

Peace of mind.

PART 2: DIRECT PRIMARY CARE FOR EMPLOYERS

Why Employers Are Asking About DPC

For business owners in Shreveport and Bossier, healthcare has become a major headache:

• Premiums rise every year

• Deductibles keep climbing

• Employees can’t get appointments

• Productivity suffers

• Costs remain unpredictable

So when employers hear about Direct Primary Care, the interest is real—and so are the questions.

Employer Question #1: Is Direct Primary Care Legal for Employers?

Yes—100% legal.

DPC is a healthcare service agreement, not insurance. Employers can offer it:

• As a standalone benefit

• Alongside traditional insurance

• With high-deductible or self-funded plans

• Through HRAs or QSEHRAs

Employers across the country use DPC compliantly and successfully.

Employer Question #2: Does DPC Replace Health Insurance?

No—and it’s not meant to.

DPC replaces most of what employees actually use insurance for, including:

• Primary care visits

• Sick visits

• Chronic disease management

• Preventive care

• Mental health support

Insurance remains important for hospitalizations, surgeries, ER visits, and specialists.

Most employers pair DPC with high-deductible, level-funded, or self-funded plans, lowering total costs while improving access.

Employer Question #3: Will Employees Actually Use DPC?

Yes—often more than expected.

DPC works because it removes barriers:

• No copays

• No paperwork

• No gatekeepers

• No long waits

When employees realize they can text their doctor, be seen same day, and have real conversations, utilization goes up—but total costs go down.

Early access prevents expensive downstream care.

Employer Question #4: How Does DPC Save Employers Money?

DPC delivers ROI in four key ways:

1. Fewer ER and urgent care visits

2. Better chronic disease control

3. Reduced absenteeism

4. Lower insurance claims

Many employers see 20–30% reductions in total healthcare spending when DPC is implemented correctly.

Employer Question #5: Is This Only for Large Companies?

Not at all.

In fact, small and mid-sized businesses benefit the most—especially companies with 3–50 employees that are priced out of traditional insurance options.

DPC gives small businesses leverage they’ve never had before.

Employer Question #6: Does DPC Increase HR Workload?

Usually the opposite.

HR teams report fewer complaints about:

• Appointment access

• Billing confusion

• Surprise charges

Because DPC is simple, employees understand it quickly and use it confidently.

Employer Question #7: How Does DPC Affect Recruitment and Retention?

Healthcare is one of the top three benefits employees care about.

Offering DPC signals:

“We care about your health.”
“We value your time.”
“We want you to have real access to care.”

In competitive labor markets, DPC can be a deciding factor.

Why Shreveport Employers Choose Shreveport Direct Care

Local matters.

Employers value:

• A local physician who knows the community

• Fast access for employees

• Transparent pricing

• Personalized onboarding

• Ongoing support

We don’t just provide care—we become a partner in your workforce’s health.

Who Is Direct Primary Care Best For?

Direct Primary Care works well for:

• Families

• Busy professionals

• Small business owners

• Employees

• People with high-deductible plans

• Uninsured individuals

• Patients with chronic conditions

• Anyone who values access and relationships

It’s not about replacing insurance—it’s about fixing everything insurance was never designed to do.

The Bottom Line: Direct Primary Care Makes Healthcare Simpler

Direct Primary Care isn’t complicated. It just feels new because healthcare has been broken for so long.

At its core, DPC is about:

• Access

• Time

• Transparency

• Trust

When patients and employees can see their doctor easily, communicate freely, and understand costs upfront, healthcare finally works the way it should.

That’s why Direct Primary Care continues to grow—not as a trend, but as a return to common-sense medicine.

Ready to Learn What Direct Primary Care Can Do for You or Your Business?

Local, Physician-Led Primary Care in Shreveport

Shreveport Direct Care is a locally owned, physician-led Direct Primary Care practice serving patients and businesses throughout Shreveport, Bossier City, and the surrounding communities.

We care for:

• Families in Shreveport and Bossier

• Busy professionals

• Small business owners

• Employees of local companies

• Patients with high-deductible plans

• Individuals without insurance

When you choose Shreveport Direct Care, you’re choosing local healthcare from a doctor who lives and works in this community. Learn more about DPC in Shreveport.

Looking for Direct Primary Care in Shreveport or Bossier City?

If you’re ready for healthcare that’s simple, personal, and affordable—and built around real access to your doctor—Shreveport Direct Care is here to help.

📍 Shreveport Direct Care
670 Albemarle Drive, Suite 901
Shreveport, LA

📞 (318) 588-7060
🌐 ShreveportDirectCare.com

Better access. Lower costs. Healthier people.

That’s Direct Primary Care—done right.