A direct pay model in medicine, also known as Direct Primary Care (DPC), is a practice model where patients pay their doctor or clinic a periodic fee (like a monthly subscription) for a defined set of primary care services, bypassing traditional insurance billing. This approach streamlines care by providing enhanced services such as extended visits, personalized care, and direct access to the physician, while often requiring patients to have a separate high-deductible plan for emergencies or specialty care. It also reduces administrative overhead as practices don’t have to deal with claims and insurance companies.