If you've started looking at health insurance options for 2027, you've probably noticed something frustrating: premiums continue to climb.
In Pennsylvania, approved individual-market health insurance premiums are increasing by an average of nearly 16% for 2027. That's a significant increase for individuals and families who are already trying to balance healthcare costs with mortgages, groceries, childcare, and everyday expenses.
And for many people, paying more doesn't necessarily mean feeling better about the care they're receiving.
High deductibles, copays, limited appointment availability, and increasingly rushed visits can make it difficult to get the attention and support you need.
But what if there were another way to approach primary care?
Rethinking how you pay for healthcare
Traditionally, we've been taught that health insurance and primary care must come together in one package.
But they serve different purposes.
Health insurance is primarily designed to protect you financially against major medical expenses, such as hospitalization, surgery, and serious illness.
Primary care is where much of your everyday healthcare happens: managing chronic conditions, addressing new concerns, coordinating care, monitoring your health, and working to prevent problems before they become more serious.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) separates these two functions.
Instead of billing insurance for routine primary care services, patients pay a predictable monthly membership directly to their physician.
This allows the practice to focus on the physician-patient relationship rather than insurance billing and administrative requirements.
What does Direct Primary Care provide?
At Hearthstone Family Care, a DPC membership includes:
Unlimited primary care visits.
Extended appointments with time to discuss your concerns.
Direct communication with your physician.
Personalized holistic care.
A relationship with a physician who gets to know you and your family.
The goal is simple: more time, better communication, and a more personal approach to healthcare.
You're not just another appointment squeezed into a busy schedule.
Combining DPC with a different insurance strategy
Some families are exploring ways to reduce their monthly healthcare expenses without giving up protection against major medical events.
One approach is to combine a Bronze high-deductible health insurance plan with a Direct Primary Care membership.
A Bronze plan generally has lower monthly premiums than higher-tier Marketplace plans, but comes with a higher deductible and potentially greater out-of-pocket expenses.
The DPC membership provides routine primary care without the usual per-visit copays or insurance billing.
Other families consider health-sharing programs. These may have lower monthly contributions, but it's important to understand that they are not health insurance. Payment of medical expenses is not guaranteed, and preexisting conditions, prescriptions, maternity care, and other services may have limitations.
DPC does not replace comprehensive health insurance or provide coverage for hospitalization, emergency care, or major medical expenses.
The right combination depends on your family's health needs, finances, and tolerance for financial risk.
Is Direct Primary Care right for you?
DPC may be worth considering if:
You're frustrated with short appointments and difficulty getting timely care.
You want a more direct relationship with your physician.
You value longer visits and personalized attention.
You're self-employed or purchase your own health insurance.
You want predictable primary care expenses.
You're looking for a different approach to managing your family's healthcare.
You shouldn't have to wait until something becomes a major problem to have a meaningful conversation with your doctor.
A different approach at Hearthstone Family Care
I opened Hearthstone Family Care because I wanted to practice medicine in a way that allows me to spend more time with patients and focus on the things that matter most.
Direct Primary Care gives me the opportunity to get to know my patients, listen to their concerns, and look beyond individual symptoms.
Whether you're managing a chronic condition, trying to understand why you don't feel well, or simply wanting a physician who has time to listen, I believe primary care should be more personal.
Health insurance may be getting more expensive, but that doesn't mean your relationship with your primary care physician has to become more complicated.