Direct Primary Care vs. Concierge Care vs. Urgent Care: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by long wait times, confusing bills, or the feeling that your doctor doesn’t have time to really listen, you’re not alone. Many patients are searching for better ways to access primary healthcare — and in that search, terms like Direct Primary Care (DPC) and Concierge Medicine often come up alongside Urgent Care.

While these models may sound similar, they’re actually quite different — especially when it comes to cost, access, and the relationship you build with your provider.

At Palmetto Proactive in Greenville and Spartanburg, SC, we practice Direct Primary Care because it offers what most people want: affordable, personalized healthcare with transparent pricing and same-day access.

Below, we’ll break down what makes Direct Primary Care, Concierge Care, and Urgent Care distinct — and how to decide which option best fits your health and lifestyle.

What Is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

A Membership Model Focused on You

Direct Primary Care is a membership-based healthcare model designed to simplify the doctor–patient relationship. Instead of billing insurance for every visit, test, or procedure, patients pay a flat monthly fee directly to their provider.

That monthly membership covers most primary care services — from routine visits and chronic disease management to wellness exams, minor injuries, and lab work.

The goal is simple: remove insurance middlemen so doctors can focus entirely on you.

What’s Included in DPC Membership

Most Direct Primary Care memberships (like those offered at Palmetto Proactive) include:

• Unlimited office or virtual visits
   

• No copays or surprise bills
   

• Extended appointment times
   

• Annual physicals and preventive screenings
   

• Chronic condition management (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
   

• Pediatric and family medicine
   

• Simple in-office procedures (e.g., stitches, joint injections, lab draws)
   

• Same-day or next-day appointment availability
   

Patients also receive discounted labs and imaging — often saving hundreds compared to hospital-based pricing.

The Patient Experience in DPC

When you’re part of a Direct Primary Care practice, your doctor becomes a long-term partner in your health. You can access your provider directly — without waiting weeks for a callback or going through layers of insurance approval.

At Palmetto Proactive, members enjoy same-day appointments, unlimited visits, and a relationship built on trust. The focus is always on proactive care; catching small issues early before they become serious.

For Example

Let’s say you wake up with a sinus infection.
In a traditional system, you might wait several days for an appointment, pay a copay, and then receive a bill weeks later.

In Direct Primary Care, you simply message your doctor or schedule a same-day visit. There’s no copay, no surprise bill, and you walk out with a plan — often within 24 hours.

What Is Concierge Medicine?

A Premium Membership for Personalized Access

Concierge Care (sometimes called “retainer medicine”) is also membership-based, but it typically still bills insurance and costs more than Direct Primary Care.

Patients pay a monthly or annual retainer fee — often several thousand dollars per year — in exchange for highly personalized access to their physician.

Concierge doctors usually have smaller patient panels (often 200–600 patients compared to 2,000+ in traditional practice), which allows for more time per visit and 24/7 communication.

How Concierge Care Works

A concierge practice typically:

• Bills your insurance for covered services
   

• Charges a retainer fee for “extra” access (same-day appointments, direct messaging, or after-hours consults)
   

• Offers longer appointment times and comprehensive annual exams
   

Cost Differences

Model	Billing Type	Average Cost	Insurance Required?
Direct Primary Care	Monthly membership	$60–$100/month	No
Concierge Care	Annual retainer + insurance billing	$1,500–$3,000+/year	Yes
Urgent Care	Fee-per-visit	$150–$250+ per visit	Usually Yes

Concierge care tends to serve patients who want premium access, house calls, or coordination with multiple specialists, but it’s not designed to replace insurance or handle day-to-day affordability.

Concierge vs. Direct Primary Care: The Key Difference

The biggest distinction is how payments and coverage work:

• Direct Primary Care: No insurance billing. One flat monthly fee covers most primary care services.
   

• Concierge Care: Bills insurance for covered services and charges an extra annual retainer for premium access.
   

So, while both prioritize personalized care and access, DPC removes insurance altogether, while concierge care works alongside it — usually at a higher cost.

To Put It Simply –

Imagine two patients, both seeking long-term, relationship-based care.

• Patient A joins a Direct Primary Care clinic. They pay $75/month, see their doctor whenever needed, and never receive an additional bill for standard care.
   

• Patient B joins a Concierge Care clinic. They pay $2,000/year as a retainer and still receive separate bills or EOBs through their insurance.
   

Both receive more time and access than traditional primary care, but DPC patients enjoy simpler pricing and no insurance involvement.

What Is Urgent Care?

Designed for Immediate, One-Time Problems

Urgent Care centers provide walk-in treatment for non-life-threatening issues such as the flu, ear infections, sprains, or minor injuries.

They’re ideal for patients who need quick care after hours or don’t have a primary doctor. However, Urgent Care is episodic — meaning it focuses on fixing the problem in front of you, not long-term health management.

When to Use Urgent Care

Urgent Care centers are best for:

• Sprains, strains, or minor cuts
   

• Ear, throat, or sinus infections
   

• Flu or fever when your doctor’s office is closed
   

• Minor burns, bites, or rashes
   

• Simple X-rays or lab testing
   

While convenient, these visits can cost $150–$250 or more — and follow-up care is rarely included. There’s no ongoing relationship, and providers may vary from visit to visit.

Limitations of Urgent Care

Urgent Care centers play an important role, but they’re not a substitute for continuous primary care. Common drawbacks include:

• No ongoing provider relationship
   

• Limited knowledge of your medical history
   

• Short visits focused only on immediate issues
   

• Inconsistent follow-up or coordination with specialists
   

For patients who want continuous, relationship-based care, Direct Primary Care offers a more complete and personal experience — often for less money over time.

Direct Primary Care vs. Concierge Care vs. Urgent Care: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Direct Primary Care (DPC)	Concierge Care	Urgent Care
Payment Model	Flat monthly fee	Retainer + insurance billing	Pay per visit
Insurance Required	No	Yes	Usually
Average Cost	$60–$100/month	$1,500–$3,000+/year	$150–$250+ per visit
Appointment Access	Same-day or next-day	Same-day or next-day	Walk-in
Time With Provider	30–60 minutes	30–60 minutes	5–15 minutes
Relationship-Based Care	Yes	Yes	No
Chronic Condition Management	Included	Included	Limited
24/7 Messaging or Access	Often included	Often included	No
Insurance Paperwork	None	Yes	Yes
Focus	Preventive, personalized, affordable	Personalized, premium, insurance-based	Immediate, short-term illness care

 

Which Option Is Best for You?

The right choice depends on your health goals, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a quick guide:

Choose Direct Primary Care If You Want:

• Affordable, transparent monthly pricing
   

• Unlimited visits with your doctor
   

• Same-day or next-day access
   

• Preventive, relationship-driven care
   

• No insurance hassles
   

Best for: Individuals, families, small business owners, retirees, and anyone seeking ongoing access to a trusted provider.

Choose Concierge Care If You Want:

• Premium-level access and amenities
   

• Care coordination across specialists
   

• Extended annual exams and 24/7 physician availability
   

• To keep using insurance for hospital or specialty care
   

Best for: High-income patients or executives seeking white-glove access and coordination.

Choose Urgent Care If You Need:

• Immediate care for an acute, one-time issue
   

• After-hours access when your primary doctor is unavailable
   

• Walk-in convenience for minor illnesses or injuries
   

Best for: Occasional, non-recurring health issues outside your doctor’s hours.

How Palmetto Proactive Brings Direct Primary Care to Life

At Palmetto Proactive, we’re proud to provide Direct Primary Care in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Cayce, SC, with a focus on accessibility and compassion. Our mission is to restore the patient–provider relationship through proactive, transparent, and people-first care.

What Sets Palmetto Proactive Apart

• Transparent monthly pricing with no hidden costs
   

• Unlimited visits — see your provider as often as needed
   

• Same-day and next-day appointments for members
   

• Comprehensive chronic condition management
   

• Full-scope primary care for adults, families, and children
   

• Integrated Imaging Center in Spartanburg for MRI, CT, and ultrasound diagnostics
   

We’re not a corporate clinic or hospital system. We’re a team of local providers dedicated to improving the health of our Upstate communities one relationship at a time.

Care Types in Action

Imagine this scenario:
You live in Spartanburg and wake up with sharp ear pain and dizziness.

• At an Urgent Care, you wait an hour, pay $175, see a new provider you’ve never met, and leave with a prescription, but no follow-up or prevention plan.
   

• At a Concierge Clinic, you message your doctor directly, but your annual retainer fee was $2,000, and you still pay a copay for your visit.
   

• At Palmetto Proactive (DPC), you text your provider, are seen the same day, and receive care included in your membership — no copay, no paperwork, no hidden fees.
   

That’s the simplicity and trust of Direct Primary Care.

How DPC Fits Into Long-Term Wellness

Because DPC removes the barriers of time and billing, providers can focus on preventive care, helping you stay healthier for the long term.

Regular visits and open communication allow your provider to monitor trends, catch issues early, and offer meaningful guidance on:

• Nutrition and weight management
   

• Stress and mental health
   

• Exercise and lifestyle balance
   

• Medication optimization
   

• Preventing chronic disease progression
   

In short, Direct Primary Care helps you stay healthy, not just get treated when you’re sick.

Why More Employers Are Turning to Direct Primary Care

Small and mid-sized businesses across South Carolina are discovering that DPC isn’t just great for individuals — it’s also ideal for employers.

By offering membership-based primary care as part of an employee benefits package, companies can:

• Lower insurance premiums and claims
   

• Reduce absenteeism and improve productivity
   

• Give employees immediate access to care when they need it
   

• Show genuine commitment to their team’s health and wellness
   

Palmetto Proactive partners with local employers to design affordable membership plans that meet workforce needs — whether for five employees or five hundred.

The Bottom Line: Choosing Simplicity in Care

When it comes to your health, access and trust matter most.

• Urgent Care offers convenience for one-time issues.
   

• Concierge Care provides premium, insurance-based access.
   

• Direct Primary Care delivers the best of both worlds — affordability, unlimited access, and personal connection.
   

At Palmetto Proactive, we believe healthcare should be proactive, not reactive — a partnership, not a transaction. With clinics in Greenville, Spartanburg, and Cayce, and a dedicated Imaging Center in Spartanburg, we’re here to make quality care simple, transparent, and local.

Experience Direct Primary Care in South Carolina

If you’re ready to simplify your healthcare experience and build a lasting relationship with your provider, it’s time to explore Direct Primary Care with Palmetto Proactive.

Call or visit one of our convenient locations to learn more about membership options:

• Greenville: 1120 North Pleasantburg Drive, #301, Greenville, SC 29607
   

• Spartanburg – Westside: 3225-B Reidville Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29301
   

• Spartanburg – Drayton Mills: 1800 Drayton Rd, Suite 313, Drayton, SC 29333
   

Cayce: 977 Knox Abbott Dr, Cayce, SC 29033