I’m Dr. Rachael Degurse, and I am the membership doctor in Colorado Springs. Most family physicians in Colorado Springs see 25 to 30 patients a day. That often leaves about 10 minutes per visit. My practice is built around a different idea. Patients deserve more time, better access, and a direct relationship with their physician. Through direct primary care, I offer unhurried 30 to 60 minute appointments with the same physician each time. Instead of rushing through symptoms or coding for insurance, I have time to listen. I can focus on your health history, your goals, and your concerns. This model is growing across the Front Range because patients want more time and less hassle.
What Is a Membership Doctor?
A membership doctor operates on a flat fee doctor model, also known as a monthly fee doctor. Instead of billing your insurance for each visit, you pay a simple monthly fee for access to your primary care physician. This fee covers most routine and preventive care. It includes annual physicals, chronic disease management, acute visits, and some basic lab work. The arrangement removes the middleman and creates a direct financial relationship between you and your doctor. As a membership doctor in Colorado Springs, this model allows me to build direct, lasting relationships with my patients.
In Colorado Springs, this healthcare membership is often called direct primary care or DPC. It is not insurance, but it works beautifully alongside a high-deductible health plan for emergencies or specialist referrals. Patients who switch to a doctor subscription often feel more in control of their health. That is exactly what I see in my own practice. My patients can text me, schedule same-day visits, and leave without a surprise bill.
The concept of patient membership is simple. You pay a predictable monthly amount, usually no more than $150 per month for an individual. There’s typically a price break for other adults in the home. In return, your physician provides a defined set of services without extra charges. This membership medicine approach appeals especially to retirees, freelancers, and anyone tired of insurance-driven care that feels rushed and impersonal.
How Does Direct Primary Care Work in Colorado Springs?
In my practice at Pearl Primary Care, direct primary care operates on a transparent monthly pricing model. For individuals, the fee is $150 per month. For couples, it is $250 per month. This covers unlimited visits and same-day or next-day appointments. It also includes direct communication with me by phone, text, or secure messaging. There are no co-pays. No deductibles apply to these visits. There are also no surprise administrative fees. As a membership doctor in Colorado Springs, I structure care so patients know exactly what to expect each month.
When you sign up for a primary care membership, you receive a comprehensive annual physical, including preventive screenings and health coaching. Chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders are managed with close follow-up and medication adjustments. Acute issues like sinus infections, skin rashes, or sprains are handled quickly without waiting weeks for an appointment. These are the kinds of concerns I handle quickly, often the same day in my practice.
Because the practice limits its patient panel size, I can spend 30 to 60 minutes with you during each visit. This allows for deeper conversations about diet, stress, sleep, your daily routines, your relationships, and your lifestyle. These factors play a major role in long-term health.
If you are looking for a Colorado Springs DPC practice that prioritizes your time, my practice at Pearl Primary Care offers this level of access and affordability.
Membership Doctor vs. Concierge Medicine vs. Traditional Primary Care
Many people confuse a membership doctor with concierge medicine. Both offer enhanced access and longer appointments, but they differ in cost and billing. Concierge medicine typically charges an annual or monthly retainer. It often still bills insurance for visits and procedures. The retainer can range from $1,500 to $10,000 per year. In contrast, a membership doctor in the DPC model charges a flat monthly fee. This fee covers nearly all primary care services without additional insurance billing. As the membership doctor in Colorado Springs, my goal is to keep care simple, accessible, and focused on the patient relationship.
The differences between a membership doctor, concierge physician, and traditional primary care provider are significant:
Feature | Direct Primary Care (Membership Doctor) | Concierge Medicine | Insurance-Based Primary Care |
|---|---|---|---|
Monthly fee | $100–$150 per month (individual) | $150–$800+ per month | None (but copays per visit) |
Insurance billing | None for primary care visits | Yes, insurance billed for most services | Yes, insurance billed for everything |
Appointment length | 30–60 minutes | 30–60 minutes | 10–15 minutes |
Patient panel size | 300–600 patients | 300–600 patients | 2,000–3,000 patients |
Direct communication | Phone, text, email included | Often included | Rarely offered |
For most Colorado Springs residents, the monthly fee doctor model provides the best balance of cost and access. You keep your health insurance for catastrophic events, but your everyday primary care is handled through a predictable subscription.
Who a Membership Doctor Is Right For
In my experience as a membership doctor in Colorado Springs, this model works especially well for certain groups of patients. A primary care membership works well for adults who want a long-term relationship with one physician. Retirees on Medicare often appreciate the personalized attention and help navigating chronic conditions without rushing. Couples find the couple pricing attractive because both partners get the same high-quality care for a low combined rate. Self-employed individuals and small business owners value the predictable monthly fee. They also appreciate being able to contact their doctor directly without a co-pay barrier.
Patients with chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders, benefit significantly from the extra time and coordinated follow-up. Instead of juggling multiple specialists during rushed visits, patients work closely with their DPC doctor. This helps optimize treatment and medication adjustments. Studies show that direct primary care reduces hospitalizations and emergency department visits, which saves money overall.
If you are tired of feeling like a number in a large clinic, a membership medicine arrangement restores the doctor-patient relationship to its proper place. These are the types of patients I work with every day in my practice.
How to Choose a Membership Doctor in Colorado Springs
Not all membership doctors are the same. As a membership doctor in Colorado Springs, I encourage patients to look beyond price and focus on access and communication. When evaluating options, look for a physician who is accessible, transparent, and aligned with your health philosophy. Ask about the monthly fee, what services are included, and how to reach the doctor after hours. A quality practice will have a clear pricing page and a straightforward enrollment process.
At Pearl Primary Care, I lead the practice with a calm, relationship-driven approach. I believe in treating the whole person, not just the symptoms. My team prioritizes communication and responds to patient messages promptly, often within hours (if not sooner). You can learn more about my philosophy and credentials at my Dr. Rachael Degurse page.
Before joining, schedule a free meet-and-greet visit. This gives you a chance to see the office, ask questions, and decide if the doctor’s personality matches your needs. A successful membership depends on trust and mutual respect. That starts with a face-to-face conversation.
Common Questions About Membership Doctors
These are some of the most common questions I hear from patients considering a membership doctor in Colorado Springs.
What does a membership doctor in Colorado Springs cost?
Most direct primary care practices charge a monthly fee between $100 and $150 per adult. At Pearl Primary Care, the individual membership is $150 per month, and the couple membership is $250 per month. There are no co-pays or extra charges for visits covered under the membership.
Can I use my HSA to pay for a direct primary care membership?
Yes, many patients use HSA (Health Savings Account) funds to pay the monthly fee for direct primary care. The IRS allows HSAs to cover direct primary care memberships when the plan is structured as a qualified medical expense. Check with your HSA administrator to confirm eligibility. You can read our detailed guide explaining this here: https://pearlprimary.care/blog/can-you-use-hsa-for-direct-primary-care
How is a membership doctor different from traditional primary care?
Traditional primary care relies on volume. Your doctor sees many patients each day and often spends only 10 to 15 minutes per visit. A membership doctor limits the patient panel to allow longer appointments, same-day access, and direct communication without going through a phone tree or nurse screening.
Do I still need health insurance if I join a direct primary care practice?
In most cases, yes. Direct primary care covers your routine and preventive primary care, but it does not cover hospitalizations, specialist visits, emergency care, or prescription drugs. Most patients pair a DPC membership with a high-deductible health plan or a bronze-level insurance plan for major medical coverage.
How do I sign up for a membership doctor in Colorado Springs?
Visit Pearl Primary Care’s membership page to review pricing and services. From there you can schedule a free consultation or enroll directly online. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you can start seeing your new doctor within days.
Choosing a membership doctor Colorado Springs is a decision that puts your health and time first. Membership-based direct primary care offers the kind of medicine many Americans are actively seeking. It is affordable, accessible, and centered on a trusting relationship with your physician. Take the next step by reviewing the membership options and scheduling a visit. I would be honored to be your membership doctor here in Colorado Springs.
