All three get you a primary care provider. They differ in how you pay, how easily you reach your provider, and whether insurance is billed for your visits.
The insurance and concierge columns describe how those models usually work. Individual practices vary, so ask any practice you’re considering how it handles each row.
| Question | Insurance-based primary care | Concierge medicine | Direct Primary Care at Venture Wellness |
|---|---|---|---|
| How you pay | Premiums, plus a copay or the full visit cost until your deductible is met. | An annual or monthly retainer. Many practices also bill your insurance for each visit. | One membership fee paid to the practice. No per-visit copays for included visits. |
| Is insurance billed for visits? | Yes. | Often, yes. | No. There are no claims for your membership visits. |
| Visit length | Often short, because the schedule is built around per-visit billing. | Longer visits are a main reason people choose it. | Longer, unrushed visits, with time to cover what brought you in and the context around it. |
| Reaching your provider | Usually through a front desk or a patient portal. | Direct access is typical. Ask about hours and how messages are handled. | Message your care team during business hours. Messages received during business hours get a reply the same business day. |
| Getting in when you’re sick | Depends on the schedule. Many people end up at urgent care. | Same- or next-day visits are common. | Same- or next-business-day visits when it’s clinically appropriate and our schedule allows. Many concerns can be handled by message. |
| Cost | Varies with your plan, your deductible, and how often you go. | Retainers vary widely and are usually higher than a Direct Primary Care membership. | Adults $99 a month on 3-month billing. Children $59. A household never pays more than $300 a month. One-time $75 enrollment fee per person. Full pricing. |
| Do you still need insurance? | This is your insurance. | Yes. | Yes. Keep coverage for emergencies, hospital care, specialists, and imaging. The membership is not health insurance. |
Your membership covers sick and acute visits, preventive care, management of common chronic conditions, in-office procedures, lab ordering and review, care coordination, and direct messaging with your care team during business hours.
The laboratory’s charge for running tests is separate, as are medications, imaging, specialists, and hospital care. Venture’s hormone, metabolic, and weight programs are separate from the membership too, and we explain the option and its price before anything begins.
Our savings calculator uses your own numbers: your premium, your copays, how often you go. It shows when a membership costs less and when it doesn’t.
No. Both give you more time and better access than a typical insurance-based practice. The main difference is billing: many concierge practices charge a retainer and also bill your insurance for visits, while a Direct Primary Care practice charges one membership fee and does not bill insurance for your visits.
No. Direct Primary Care is not health insurance and does not replace comprehensive insurance coverage. It includes only the primary-care services listed in the DPC agreement.
Yes. We encourage patients to keep coverage for services outside the membership, including emergencies, hospitalization, specialists, imaging, and other outside services.
Adults 18–64 pay $99 a month on 3-month billing or $109 monthly. Adults 65+ pay $109 or $119. Children 2–17 pay $59 or $65. There is a one-time $75 enrollment fee per person, and a household never pays more than $300 a month on 3-month billing.
Many members do. The membership handles everyday primary care, and the insurance plan is there for emergencies, hospital care, and specialists. Whether membership fees are an eligible HSA or FSA expense depends on your plan and your tax situation, so check with your plan administrator or a tax adviser.
Membership is for Virginia residents. Children ages 2–17 join with an enrolled adult in the same household. Adults enrolled in Medicare Part A or B aren’t eligible; if you’re approaching Medicare, ask us about timing.
We care for patients from Midlothian, Richmond, Chesterfield County, Bon Air, Powhatan, and Chester, and across the greater Richmond area. Visits are in person at our Midlothian office, and by telehealth when it’s clinically appropriate.
Updated September 2026
