Direct Primary Care grew 83% in five years—solving access for some while creating a two-tiered system for everyone else

Episode Description:

When a primary care doctor switches to Direct Primary Care, their panel shrinks from 2,000+ patients to 600. That's life-changing for those 600—same-day appointments, longer visits, no insurance hassles. But what happens to the other 1,400 people?

Direct Primary Care and cash-pay medicine grew 83% between 2018 and 2023 according to Health Affairs. Federal law now lets HSA funds cover DPC membership fees ($150/month individual, $300/month family). Oregon's new HB 2540 credits those fees toward insurance deductibles. Both changes make DPC financially viable for more people—and accelerate provider exits from traditional insurance networks.

This isn't fringe anymore. It's ...