Concierge vs Direct Primary Care
Concierge Doctors in Charlotte: What They Cost and How DPC Compares
Concierge medicine and direct primary care both give you more time with your doctor. They cost very different amounts and work differently with insurance.
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A concierge doctor in the Charlotte area typically costs about $1,800 to $2,900 a year for one adult, and you keep your health insurance, which is still billed for visits and tests (Novant Health, MDVIP).
A direct primary care (DPC) doctor typically costs $49 to $120 a month for an adult in the Charlotte-area fees we checked (November 2026). The practice usually doesn't bill insurance for primary care at all (DPC Frontier listings).
Both models promise easier access and longer visits. The real difference is how you pay, and what you need alongside the membership.
Concierge Medicine vs Direct Primary Care
| Concierge medicine | Direct primary care | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical fee | About $1,800 to $2,900 a year per adult (about $150 to $242 a month) | About $49 to $120 a month per adult in our Charlotte-area sample |
| Bills your insurance? | Usually yes, for visits, tests and procedures | Usually no, for primary care |
| What the fee buys | Access and extras, such as same-day visits, a yearly wellness exam and 24/7 phone access | Your primary care visits and messaging, plus low-cost labs and drugs at many practices |
| Medicare | Often accepted for covered services (fee is extra) | Rules for Medicare patients vary by practice. Ask first |
| HSA | Check with your HSA administrator | From 2026, DPC fees up to $150 a month for one person can be paid from an HSA if you have an HSA-eligible plan |
| Is it insurance? | No. You keep insurance alongside it | No. You still need a plan for big bills |
Every practice sets its own fee and rules. These are typical ranges from the sources listed below, not quotes.
What Concierge Medicine Costs in Charlotte
A Charlotte-area example
Novant Health Traditions Concierge Medicine charges $2,900 a year for one person and $2,100 for each additional family member. It accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial insurance, and the fee includes yearly heart and wellness screenings, same- or next-day appointments and 24/7 phone access (checked November 2, 2026).
The national network
MDVIP is a national network of concierge doctors. It says the yearly fee at its practices is usually $1,800 to $2,200, depending on location, and pays for its wellness program of screenings that insurance usually doesn't cover (MDVIP).
A family of four at Novant's prices would pay $2,900 + $2,100 + $2,100 + $2,100 = $9,200 a year in membership fees, before any insurance costs. That's an illustration using one practice's published fees, not a quote.
Who Each One Fits
Concierge may fit you if...
- You have good insurance or Medicare and want to keep using it for visits and tests
- You want a doctor connected to a big hospital system
- You want extras like a long yearly wellness exam and advanced screenings
- The yearly fee fits your budget on top of insurance
DPC may fit you if...
- You want a lower, predictable monthly fee for primary care
- You have a high-deductible plan, or you buy your own coverage
- You'd like low-cost labs and medications through the practice
- You're happy to plan separately for big bills, with insurance or health sharing
Neither one pays for hospital stays, surgery, specialists or the emergency room. If you choose DPC, decide how you'll handle those first. Our healthshare guide explains one option that some DPC members use. If you have an ongoing condition that needs specialist care now, a health insurance plan may serve you better. Check HealthCare.gov or talk to a licensed agent.
Important: Health care sharing ministries are not insurance and are not regulated as insurance. Sharing of medical expenses is voluntary and not guaranteed. Review each organization's guidelines for details, limitations, and state-specific notices.
Want Concierge-Style Access for Less?
If what you want is a doctor you can reach quickly, DPC usually gets you there for a fraction of a concierge fee. You can see a DPC doctor in person at a local practice, or virtually through Akos MD from $79 a month (as of November 2026), with 24/7 access to your own care team (Akos MD).
We'll help you compare options near you for free. See how to find a DPC doctor in Charlotte, or read our complete DPC guide.
We may receive compensation from some organizations we recommend. This does not change our evaluation of how they work.
Concierge Doctors: Common Questions
How much does a concierge doctor cost in Charlotte?
Expect about $1,800 to $2,900 a year for one adult, on top of your health insurance. For example, Novant Health Traditions Concierge Medicine charges $2,900 a year for one person (checked November 2026). MDVIP says its affiliated doctors usually charge $1,800 to $2,200.
Is concierge medicine the same as direct primary care?
No. Both charge a membership fee for easier access to a doctor. A concierge practice usually also bills your insurance for visits. A DPC practice usually doesn't bill insurance for primary care, which is why its fee is lower.
Does insurance pay the concierge fee?
Generally no. Insurance may pay for your visits and tests at a concierge practice, but you pay the membership fee yourself. Ask your HSA or FSA administrator whether you can use those funds for the fee.
Can I use Medicare with a concierge doctor?
Many concierge practices accept Medicare for covered services, but the membership fee is extra. Novant Health Traditions, for example, accepts Medicare, Medicaid and most commercial plans. DPC practices handle Medicare patients in different ways, so ask before you join.
Which is cheaper, concierge or DPC?
DPC is usually cheaper. Charlotte-area DPC fees we checked were $49 to $120 a month for an adult, about $590 to $1,440 a year. Concierge fees are often $1,800 or more a year, plus what you pay for insurance.
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