Switching from traditional primary care to concierge medicine or DPC is one of the most impactful healthcare changes you can make. But the process involves more than just signing up. This guide walks you through every step, from evaluating practices to managing the transition smoothly.
Step 1: Determine What You Need (Week 1)
Before researching practices, clarify your priorities:
Health Needs Assessment
- Do you manage chronic conditions that need frequent monitoring?
- How often do you see a primary care doctor currently?
- Do you need specialist referrals frequently?
- Do you travel often and need care access on the road?
- Do you have family members who would also join?
Budget Assessment
Understand the price ranges for your area:
- Concierge retainer: $2,000-$15,000+/year (depending on city and tier)
- DPC monthly: $50-$150/month
- Your current healthcare costs: Add up premiums, copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses
Use our cost-by-city guide to benchmark pricing in your market.
Model Preference
Decide between concierge medicine and DPC:
- Concierge: Higher cost, often includes executive physicals, bills your insurance for medical services
- DPC: Lower cost, doesn't bill insurance, covers all primary care under the monthly fee
Step 2: Research and Shortlist Practices (Week 1-2)
Where to Find Practices
- DPC Mapper (dpcmapper.com): Directory of DPC practices by location
- MDVIP (mdvip.com): Largest concierge physician network with standardized practices
- Concierge Medicine Today: Industry resource with physician listings
- Yelp/Google Reviews: Search "concierge medicine" or "direct primary care" in your city
- Hospital websites: Many hospital systems now offer concierge programs (Mount Sinai, Northwestern, Cleveland Clinic)
Shortlist Criteria
Narrow to 2-4 practices based on:
- Location: Within reasonable distance of home or work
- Price: Within your budget range
- Hospital affiliations: Aligned with your preferred hospital system
- Physician qualifications: Board certification, years of experience, patient reviews
- Panel size: Smaller panels mean more access (100-600 is typical for concierge; 400-800 for DPC)
- Services included: What's in the membership vs. what costs extra?
For detailed evaluation criteria, see our guide on how to choose a concierge doctor.
Step 3: Schedule Consultations (Week 2)
Most concierge practices offer a free meet-and-greet or initial consultation. This is your opportunity to evaluate:
What to Assess During the Consultation
The Physician:
- Communication style — do they listen thoroughly and explain clearly?
- Approach to care — preventive vs. reactive? Holistic vs. symptom-focused?
- Responsiveness — what's the typical turnaround on calls/texts/emails?
- Panel size — how many patients do they currently manage?
The Practice:
- Office environment — is it clean, well-equipped, and comfortable?
- Staff quality — are they professional, friendly, and efficient?
- Technology — do they use a patient portal, telehealth platform, and secure messaging?
- After-hours policy — how are evenings, weekends, and holidays handled?
Questions to Ask
- How many patients are in your panel currently?
- What's your guaranteed response time for non-emergency calls?
- What happens if I need care while you're on vacation?
- Which hospitals and specialists do you refer to?
- What does the annual physical include?
- What's your policy on prescription refills and medication management?
- How does billing work — what does my membership cover vs. what's billed to insurance?
- Is there a minimum commitment period?
- What's the cancellation policy?
- Can I speak to a current patient as a reference?
Step 4: Review Membership Terms (Week 2-3)
Before signing, carefully review the membership agreement:
Key Terms to Examine
- Monthly/annual fee: Is it fixed, or can it increase? If annual, is there a monthly payment option?
- What's included: Get a clear, written list of included services
- What costs extra: Labs, procedures, medications, specialist referrals?
- Commitment period: Monthly, annual, or multi-year? What's the cancellation policy?
- Enrollment fee: One-time setup fee ($50-$200 is typical; more than $500 should be questioned)
- Family discounts: Are there reduced rates for additional family members?
- Coverage when physician is unavailable: Who provides backup coverage?
Red Flags
Watch for:
- Non-refundable annual payments with no cancellation option
- Unclear language about what's included vs. extra
- Very large panels (800+ patients defeats the purpose of concierge care)
- No after-hours access policy
- No hospital affiliations or specialist referral network
Step 5: Transfer Medical Records (Week 3)
How to Request Your Records
- Contact your current physician's office
- Request a "medical records release" or "authorization for release of medical information" form
- Complete the form specifying:
- All medical records (progress notes, lab results, imaging, specialist reports)
- Immunization history
- Current medication list
- Referral history
- Specify the receiving practice (your new concierge/DPC physician)
- Most practices process records within 5-10 business days
What to Transfer
- Complete medical history: All progress notes, problem lists, surgical history
- Lab results: Last 2-3 years of blood work and diagnostic tests
- Imaging: Reports (and ideally images) from MRIs, CT scans, X-rays
- Specialist notes: Reports from all specialists you've seen
- Immunization records: Complete vaccination history
- Current medications: Full medication list with dosages and prescribers
HIPAA Rights
Under HIPAA, your current physician MUST provide your medical records within 30 days of a written request. They may charge a reasonable fee for copying (typically $0.50-$1.00 per page), but they cannot refuse the transfer.
Step 6: Enroll and Schedule First Appointment (Week 3-4)
Enrollment Process
- Sign the membership agreement and pay the enrollment fee (if applicable)
- Provide insurance information (for concierge practices that bill insurance)
- Complete new patient intake forms — medical history, current medications, allergies, family history
- Schedule your initial comprehensive visit — typically 60-90 minutes for the first appointment
First Appointment Preparation
Bring to your first visit:
- Insurance cards (even for DPC — they may need it for specialist referrals)
- Current medication bottles (not just a list — the actual bottles help verify dosages)
- Any recent lab results or imaging not yet in your transferred records
- A list of your health concerns and goals
- Questions you want to discuss
What to Expect at the First Visit
Your initial visit will be longer and more thorough than anything you've experienced in traditional primary care:
- Comprehensive health history review (20-30 minutes)
- Physical examination (15-20 minutes)
- Lab work (drawn in-office if needed)
- Discussion of health goals and care plan (15-20 minutes)
- Scheduling follow-up visits and any needed specialist referrals
Step 7: Manage the Transition
Notifying Your Current Physician
You don't need to formally "break up" with your old doctor, but it's good practice to:
- Send a brief written notification that you're transferring care
- Thank them for their service (maintaining professional relationships is valuable)
- Confirm that medical records have been sent to your new practice
Adjusting Your Insurance
If joining concierge medicine (retainer model):
- Keep your current insurance — the practice bills it for medical services
- No changes needed to your insurance plan
If joining DPC:
- Consider switching to a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to reduce premiums
- Open or maintain an HSA — DPC fees are now HSA-eligible (2026)
- Keep insurance for specialist, hospital, and emergency coverage
- See our guide on concierge medicine and insurance
Telling Your Specialists
If you see specialists regularly:
- Inform them of your new primary care physician
- Ask your new concierge/DPC doctor to send an introduction to each specialist
- Confirm that your new physician can access specialist records
Common Concerns About Switching
"What if I don't like it?"
Most DPC practices offer month-to-month memberships — you can cancel anytime. Concierge practices with annual retainers sometimes have cancellation policies; review these before enrolling. Many practices also offer a trial period or satisfaction guarantee.
"Can I go back to my old doctor?"
Yes, though your previous physician may have filled your slot. If you want to keep this option open, some patients maintain a relationship with both practices during an initial trial period.
"What if my concierge doctor retires or moves?"
Ask about succession planning during your consultation. Well-run practices have plans for physician departures. Network practices (like MDVIP) can help you transition to another affiliated physician.
"Is the switch disruptive for my chronic conditions?"
Minimal disruption if you transfer complete records. Your new physician will review your history, continue your current medications, and schedule follow-ups to establish their own baseline. Most chronic conditions are managed without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the switch take?
From first consultation to first appointment, the switch typically takes 2-4 weeks. Medical records transfer takes 5-10 business days, and most concierge practices can schedule a new patient comprehensive visit within 1-2 weeks of enrollment.
Do I need a referral to see a concierge doctor?
No. Concierge medicine and DPC are direct patient-physician relationships — no referral is needed. You simply contact the practice, schedule a consultation, and enroll if it's a good fit.
Can I switch mid-year if I have an annual membership?
Most practices allow mid-year enrollment. If you're leaving a concierge practice with an annual retainer, check the cancellation policy — some offer prorated refunds, while others do not.
What if there are no concierge or DPC practices near me?
Telehealth-first DPC practices are expanding access to areas without local concierge options. Practices like Forward Health and other telehealth-enabled DPCs can provide virtual care supplemented by in-person visits at partner locations or during travel to major cities.
Should I tell my current doctor I'm switching to concierge medicine?
It's courteous but not required. A brief notification helps ensure a clean records transfer and maintains professional goodwill. Don't feel guilty about the switch — you're making a healthcare decision that's right for your needs.
The Bottom Line
Switching to concierge medicine or DPC is a straightforward process that takes 2-4 weeks. The key is doing your research upfront — evaluating 2-4 practices through consultations, understanding the membership terms, and ensuring your insurance is properly configured.
The switch itself is simple. The benefits — same-day access, longer visits, a physician who knows you — begin immediately.
For help evaluating practices, see our complete guide on how to choose a concierge doctor and our analysis of whether concierge medicine is worth it.
-- The DPC Finder Team