How Direct Primary Care (DPC) is Changing Healthcare

Introduction

Healthcare is expensive, confusing, and often frustrating—for both businesses and their employees. But what if there was a better way? Direct Primary Care (DPC) is changing the game by giving people easier access to doctors, better care, and lower costs.

To break it all down, Decent’s CEO, Nick Soman, hosted a LinkedIn Live Ask Me Anything (AMA) where brokers, business owners, and healthcare professionals got to ask their biggest questions about DPC.

Here’s what we covered:

✅ How DPC helps businesses and brokers save money 💰

✅ The best ways to explain DPC to clients (and get them excited about it!)

✅ The biggest myths about DPC (hint: it’s not just for the wealthy!)

✅ What’s next for DPC—including changes that could make it even more accessible

If you missed the live event, don’t worry! This post will give you all the highlights—and show you why DPC might be the future of healthcare.

Let’s dive in! 🚀

Why Was Decent Created?

For Decent’s CEO, Nick Soman, the inspiration for building a DPC-based health plan wasn’t just professional—it was personal.

Nick grew up in a family of primary care doctors. His parents were passionate about patient care, but over time, they became frustrated with how big insurance companies controlled healthcare. They had less time with patients, more paperwork, and increasing restrictions on how they could provide care.

“I remember the day my dad came home and said, ‘I don’t think my counterpart on the insurance side cares about the patient.’ That was a moment that stuck with me.” – Nick Soman

At the same time, healthcare costs in the U.S. were skyrocketing, making it harder for businesses to offer good coverage to their employees. Nick saw an opportunity to fix what was broken by putting Direct Primary Care (DPC) at the center of health plans.

By giving employees unlimited access to their primary care doctor, Decent’s plans keep people healthier, reduce unnecessary medical costs, and make healthcare more affordable for businesses.

Decent started with a simple idea: Better primary care leads to better health—and lower costs. And for the past eight years, Decent has been working to prove that DPC-first health plans are the future of healthcare.

How Brokers Can Successfully Pitch DPC

Even though Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a powerful solution, many brokers struggle to explain it in a way that immediately clicks with clients. The key? Don’t start by talking about DPC itself—start with the savings.

💡 Nick’s #1 Tip: Lead with Cost Savings

Most business owners aren’t looking for a new healthcare model—they’re looking for a way to cut costs without sacrificing coverage. That’s why the best way to introduce DPC isn’t with a definition, but with a question:

“Would you be interested in a health plan that provides better care while saving you up to 40%?”

Once they’re interested in how they can save money, you can introduce DPC as the key driver behind those savings.

Addressing Common Misconceptions About DPC

Despite its growing popularity, Direct Primary Care (DPC) is often misunderstood. Many business owners and brokers have heard of it, but they don’t fully understand how it works—or they assume it’s not a fit for their employees.

During the AMA, Nick Soman debunked three of the biggest myths about DPC and set the record straight.

❌ Myth #1: “DPC is only for wealthy people.”

💡 Reality: Many DPC patients don’t have insurance and rely on DPC as their primary healthcare provider.

DPC is not a luxury service—it’s an affordable alternative for people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to consistent care. Many members pay out-of-pocket for DPC because it provides unlimited primary care for as little as $50–$100 per month—often less than a monthly phone bill.

❌ Myth #2: “DPC is just concierge medicine.”

💡 Reality: Unlike concierge doctors, DPC doesn’t bill insurance and remains affordable.

Concierge medicine often charges thousands of dollars per year while still billing insurance. In contrast, DPC doctors:

✔ Charge low monthly fees ($50–$100 per month)

✔ Do NOT bill insurance

✔ Offer unlimited visits, calls, and texts for members

DPC is designed to be accessible, simple, and transparent—not an elite service for the wealthy.

❌ Myth #3: “DPC is only for healthy people.”

💡 Reality: People with chronic conditions benefit the most from DPC because they get direct access to their doctor without delays or extra costs.

Many DPC doctors build long-term relationships with their patients, helping them manage conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. Instead of waiting weeks for a doctor’s appointment or rushing to urgent care, DPC patients text or call their doctor directly and get consistent, proactive care.

Nick shared a story about a patient who came to a DPC doctor with diabetes and, after working together for two years, no longer needed medication. That level of care is possible because DPC doctors take the time to focus on preventive care and long-term health.

The Future of DPC & Regulatory Changes

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is gaining momentum, but there are still regulatory hurdles that limit its full potential. The good news? Policy changes are in the works that could make DPC even more accessible to businesses and individuals.

Here’s what’s coming:

🔹 Upcoming Policy Changes

📌 Making DPC HSA-Compatible & Tax-Deductible

Right now, DPC membership fees aren’t officially recognized as a qualified medical expense for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). But lawmakers are working on legislation that would change that, making it easier for employers and individuals to pay for DPC with pre-tax dollars.

📌 DPC in Medicaid & Employer-Sponsored Plans

Government programs like Medicaid and employer-sponsored plans are starting to explore how DPC can be integrated into broader healthcare offerings. If successful, this would allow more people—including those on government-funded healthcare—to benefit from the affordable, high-quality care DPC provides.

🔹 Why This Matters for Brokers & Businesses

✔ More accessibility → These policy changes will make DPC an option for more businesses and individuals.

✔ More adoption → As DPC becomes more mainstream, more companies will look for brokers who understand how to implement it.

✔ More opportunities → Brokers who stay ahead of these changes can position themselves as experts in cost-saving, DPC-based solutions.

“DPC isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of healthcare. These regulatory shifts could help it scale even further.” – Nick Soman

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📌 Read the Full Q&A & Watch the AMA Recording

Want even more insights from the AMA? Check out the full recap and replay:

📖 Read the full Q&A recap:

👉 Decent LinkedIn Live AMA – Q&A with Nick Soman

🎥 Watch the LinkedIn Live replay:

👉 LinkedIn Live Replay