Direct primary care, explained
Direct Primary Care in Northern Virginia
Direct primary care means paying your clinician directly, by the visit or with a simple membership, instead of going through insurance. The result: more time, easier access and prices you can see before you book.
- Visits from $85
- Memberships from $85 a month
- No insurance billing
The short answer
What is direct primary care?
Direct primary care (DPC) is a way of paying for everyday healthcare directly, without insurance claims. You pay a flat monthly membership, or a clear price per visit, and in return you get longer visits, easier booking and a way to reach your clinician between visits.
At WheelHouse Health, direct primary care is led by Lydia M. Wheeler, NP-C, a board-certified nurse practitioner, available virtually across Virginia, in our Woodbridge office, or straight to your front door in much of Northern Virginia.
The basics
Why people choose direct primary care
More time
Smaller patient lists mean longer, unhurried visits: 45 minutes for new patients, 30 for follow-ups.
Easier access
Book online, and message your clinician between visits on a membership.
Clear prices
No surprise bills, copays or claim forms for your primary care.
A real relationship
One clinician who knows your history and your goals.
Prices
How much does direct primary care cost in Northern Virginia?
Direct primary care prices are published up front. These are ours. Memberships elsewhere vary, so compare what is included, not just the monthly fee.
| Option | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Pay per visit | From $85 a visit | Occasional care, a second opinion, or trying us out |
| Basic Tele-Health | $85 a month | Adults happy with video and phone care |
| Standard Hybrid | $130 a month (partner +$85) | Video plus up to 2 in-person visits a month |
| Family / Group | $360 a month for up to 4 | Households who want one practice for everyone |
| Premium Concierge | $500 a month (spouse +$350) | The most personal care, including home visits |
Paid separately: lab fees (at discounted cash-pay prices), medicines from your pharmacy, imaging, specialist and hospital care. Every membership has a 30-day trial and can be cancelled with 48 hours’ notice. See everything a membership includes
Compare
Direct primary care vs the usual way
| WheelHouse direct primary care | Typical insurance-based visit | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Known up front: from $85 a visit, or a monthly membership | Depends on your plan, copay and deductible |
| Visit length | 45 minutes new, 30 minutes follow-up | Often much shorter |
| Getting an appointment | Book online; priority for members | Can take weeks |
| Reaching your clinician | Portal and WhatsApp messaging for members | Usually through a front desk |
| Paperwork | No insurance claims | Claims, codes and explanations of benefits |
How it works
How direct primary care works at WheelHouse
Choose how to pay
Book one visit from $85, or start a membership with a 30-day trial.
Book online
Pick a video, clinic or home visit at a time that suits you.
Your first visit
45 unhurried minutes about your health, history and goals, ending with a clear plan.
Stay in touch
Follow-ups, labs, refills and, for members, messaging between visits.
Is it for you?
Who direct primary care suits, and who it may not
Often a great fit
- People who want one clinician who knows them
- Anyone with an ongoing condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes
- People on high-deductible plans who pay full price for visits
- Self-employed people and small teams
- Families juggling several sets of appointments
- Busy people who prefer video visits
May not be the best fit
- You need care only once every few years (pay per visit may suit you better)
- You want insurance to cover everything, including primary care
- You will not be in Virginia for video visits
- You need emergency or hospital care: that is what insurance and 911 are for
Paying with pre-tax money
Direct primary care and your HSA
Under federal rules that began in 2026, direct primary care memberships of up to $150 a month for one person, or $300 a month for an arrangement covering more than one person, can generally be paid with HSA money without affecting your HSA eligibility. Basic Tele-Health ($85) and Standard Hybrid ($130) are below the $150 limit. Family / Group ($360) and Premium Concierge ($500) are above the limits, so they may not qualify for HSA payment; an FSA may still work. Check with your plan administrator. IRS guidance
Common myths
What direct primary care is not
It is
- A way to pay for primary care directly
- Available pay per visit or by membership
- Often payable with HSA or FSA funds, within the limits
- A good partner to a high-deductible insurance plan
It is not
- Health insurance
- A replacement for hospital or emergency coverage
- Only for the wealthy: memberships start at $85 a month
- A long contract: cancel with 48 hours’ notice
Across Northern Virginia
Direct primary care from Woodbridge to wherever you are in Virginia
Northern Virginia life is busy, and a commute across Prince William or Fairfax County for a short appointment can eat half a day. Direct primary care at WheelHouse starts from our clinic in Woodbridge and reaches you where you are.
Most everyday care, follow-ups and wellness consultations work well by video, from home or a private spot at work. When you need to be examined, you can come to the clinic. When getting out is hard, we can come to you in much of Northern Virginia.
Common questions
Direct primary care questions
Still wondering about something? Call or text us Monday to Saturday, 9 AM to 5 PM.
They are similar. Both involve paying your practice directly for better access. Direct primary care is usually simpler and more affordable, with monthly memberships or per-visit prices and no insurance billing.
At WheelHouse Health, visits start at $85 with no membership, and memberships are $85, $130, $360 (up to four people) or $500 a month. Labs, medicines, imaging and specialist care are paid separately.
Yes. Keep insurance for emergencies, hospital stays, specialists, imaging and expensive medicines. Many people pair direct primary care with a lower-premium, high-deductible plan.
Often, yes. Since 2026, federal rules allow HSA funds to pay for direct primary care memberships of up to $150 a month for one person or $300 for more than one. Our Family / Group and Premium plans are above those limits. Check with your plan administrator.
No. It often suits people with ongoing conditions best, because regular check-ins and messaging make it easier to stay on track between visits.
Yes. Book a single visit from $85. If you join a membership later, it starts with a 30-day trial.
No. Video visits work anywhere in Virginia, as long as you are in the state during the visit. Our clinic is in Woodbridge, and home visits cover much of Northern Virginia.
Keep reading
Learn more about direct primary care
- GuideDPC membership vs insurance costs
- CompareMembership vs health insurance
- Free guideThe real cost of primary care in Northern Virginia
- Article10 questions to ask before joining any DPC practice
- ArticleWhat your DPC clinician wishes you knew
- ArticleDo I still need health insurance with a DPC membership?
- ToolFind your plan in 1 minute
Ready when you are