If you’re tired of copays, surprise bills, crowded waiting rooms, and rushed appointments, you’re not alone. Many people are looking for a simpler way to access primary care without navigating insurance rules every time they need help.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers an alternative. With DPC, you pay a flat monthly membership fee and work directly with your primary care team. There are no per-visit charges for covered services and no insurance billing for routine primary care.
At SALTA Direct, the goal is straightforward: predictable pricing, easier access, and care that fits real life. This guide explains how DPC pricing works, what a SALTA membership includes, what falls outside the membership, and how this model stays financially sustainable.
What a SALTA Direct membership includes
A membership is designed to replace unpredictable primary care costs with one consistent monthly fee that covers most everyday health needs.
Members typically receive:
- Unlimited primary care visits, in person or virtual, without copays
- Same-day or next-day scheduling when clinically appropriate
- 24/7 access by text, phone, or video for urgent concerns
- Preventive care and annual wellness visits
- Chronic condition management with proactive follow-up
- In-office procedures and diagnostics when indicated, including EKGs, administrating blood draws, wound care, musculoskeletal injections, and minor skin procedures such as mole and wart removals
- Care coordination and referrals when specialty or hospital care is needed
Secure messaging, virtual visits, and after-hours callbacks are included in the monthly fee. When a hands-on exam is needed, appointments are scheduled promptly rather than weeks out.
For most members, the majority of primary care lives inside the membership, which keeps costs stable and predictable.
DPC pricing explained in plain English
Across the U.S., individual DPC memberships commonly range from $60 to $120 per month, depending on age, practice structure, and services offered. Family and employer plans are usually priced per member and may be discounted for groups. Pediatric and young adult tiers are often lower, while older adults may fall into higher tiers due to more frequent care needs.
At SALTA, public examples include $90 per month (adults ages 26+) and $45 per month (children 25 years of age and younger) tiers. Exact pricing can vary by age band, plan type, location, and employer partnership. For transparency, prospective members are encouraged to confirm current pricing and location-specific offerings before enrolling.
Many people notice that DPC costs are comparable to a monthly phone plan — but with unlimited access, longer visits, and no per-visit fees.
What’s included vs. what’s not
Included in your membership
- All primary care visits and follow-ups (virtual or in person)
- Secure messaging, medication refills, and lab result reviews
- Preventive care planning and annual wellness visits
- Many in-office procedures and diagnostics at no additional charge
- After-hours access for urgent concerns
Not included in your membership
- Specialist visits, hospital care, or imaging performed outside SALTA
- External lab fees when tests are sent to laboratories
- Vaccines or medications dispensed outside SALTA
- On-site medications at locations where dispensing is still rolling out
You can still use insurance or HSA/FSA funds for services outside the membership. Many members pair DPC with a high-deductible or catastrophic insurance plan for unexpected major medical events.
How insurance fits into a DPC model
Insurance generally does not reimburse DPC memberships because the model replaces traditional fee-for-service billing for routine primary care. Instead, DPC is a direct agreement between you and your care team.
Insurance can still be used for:
- Specialist visits
- Imaging and procedures at outside facilities
- Hospital care
- Emergency services
Some employers sponsor DPC memberships for their teams and may offer pre-tax options where allowed. For HSA or FSA eligibility questions, it’s best to confirm current IRS guidance and speak with a benefits advisor.
Is DPC actually more affordable?
DPC is not a replacement for insurance, but it can be a more affordable way to pay for day-to-day primary care.
For many people — especially those with high-deductible plans — DPC can reduce overall costs by:
- Eliminating copays for primary care visits
- Avoiding surprise primary care bills
- Reducing urgent care visits through faster access
- Saving time away from work with same- or next-day appointments
When combined with a lower-premium catastrophic plan, total annual costs can be competitive with traditional PPO plans that still involve deductibles and copays.
How DPC practices stay sustainable
DPC practices are funded by membership fees rather than insurance billing. This allows clinics to cap patient panel sizes and focus on continuity, responsiveness, and proactive care.
At SALTA, this structure supports:
- Longer visits
- Smaller patient panels
- 24/7 access and secure messaging
- Proactive follow-up instead of reactive care
- Investments in conveniences like on-site medication dispensing
The model is designed so clinicians can spend more time with each patient — without relying on high visit volume.
Why costs feel predictable
Predictability comes from three key design choices:
- One monthly fee covers most primary care services, with no per-visit copays
- Smaller patient panels preserve access, responsiveness, and longer appointments
- Transparent pricing for anything outside the membership, such as external labs
When you know your costs and can reach your care team quickly, problems are addressed earlier — often preventing more expensive downstream care.
On-site medication dispensing
The Clarkston clinic currently offers direct dispensing of many common medications at transparent, reduced cash prices. This often saves both time and money by eliminating a pharmacy trip.
Expansion of on-site dispensing to all SALTA locations is planned for Q4 2026. Availability may vary by clinic, so members are encouraged to ask what’s offered at their location.
Local access across Southeast Michigan
If you live or work in or near Troy, Auburn Hill, Shelby Township, or Clarkston and want same- or next-day visits with 24/7 access and no copays, membership-based primary care can offer a simpler alternative. Similar options are available for patients closer to the surrounding communities, with care tailored to location and preference.
Who DPC works well for
Individuals and families
Predictable pricing and fast access reduce stress and last-minute urgent care visits.
Employers
Sponsored memberships can reduce absenteeism, shorten appointment times, and improve access to timely care for employees.
SALTA welcomes individuals, families, and employer groups throughout Southeast Michigan.
Key takeaways
- Typical DPC memberships range from $60–$120 per month; SALTA examples include $90 and $45 tiers
- Memberships include unlimited visits, fast scheduling, 24/7 access, preventive care, chronic disease management, and many in-office procedures
- Insurance usually does not cover the membership itself, but can still be used for care outside DPC
- DPC can lower everyday healthcare costs by eliminating copays and improving access
- Membership fees support smaller panels, longer visits, and more personalized care
If you’re considering a simpler, more predictable way to manage primary care, contact SALTA Direct to confirm current pricing, review location-specific services, and see whether the model fits your needs.
