DirectCareChoices

Your guide to affordable healthcare beyond insurance

You Have More Healthcare Options Than You Think

Insurance isn't your only path to affordable care. Discover direct-to-consumer options for prescriptions, primary care, labs, and more—often at prices lower than your copay.

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What Is Direct Care?

Direct care means paying for healthcare services directly, without going through insurance. This approach often results in transparent pricing, lower costs, and better access to care. Many patients are surprised to learn that paying cash can be cheaper than using their insurance—especially for prescriptions, routine lab work, and primary care visits.

This website is your educational resource to explore these options and make informed decisions about your healthcare.

Affordable Prescription Medications

Direct-to-consumer prescription options can save patients hundreds to thousands of dollars monthly compared to traditional pharmacy prices—and often cost less than insurance copays. Here are your main options:

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs

What it is: An online pharmacy offering generic medications at transparent, low prices (manufacturing cost + 15% + $3 pharmacy fee + $5 shipping).

Best for: Chronic medications you take regularly. Over 2,000 generic drugs available.

How it works: You or your doctor can send prescriptions directly to CostPlusDrugs.com. No membership fee required.

Example: Specialty cancer medications that cost thousands at retail pharmacies can be available for a fraction of that cost. Always check the website to compare your specific medications.

Visit CostPlusDrugs.com →

GoodRx

What it is: A free platform that finds discount coupons for prescriptions at local pharmacies.

Best for: Comparing prices at nearby pharmacies and getting instant discounts.

How it works: Search your medication on GoodRx.com or the app, get a coupon, and show it to your pharmacist. Works at most major pharmacy chains.

Tip: Prices vary significantly between pharmacies. Always compare before filling your prescription.

Visit GoodRx.com →

Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs

What it is: Programs offered by pharmaceutical companies to provide free or low-cost brand-name medications to qualifying patients.

Best for: Expensive brand-name drugs when no generic is available. Income requirements vary by program.

How it works: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about manufacturer programs for your specific medication, or search online for "[drug name] patient assistance program."

Search Programs at NeedyMeds.org →

Compounding Pharmacies

What it is: Specialized pharmacies that create customized medications tailored to individual patient needs.

Best for: Patients who need custom dosages, allergen-free formulations, discontinued medications, or alternative delivery methods (creams, troches, etc.).

How it works: Your doctor writes a prescription specifying the custom formulation needed. The compounding pharmacy prepares it specifically for you.

Note: Compounded medications are not FDA-approved but can be essential when commercial options don't meet your needs. Use accredited compounding pharmacies (PCAB or similar certification).

Retail Pharmacy Generic Programs

What it is: Major pharmacy chains (Walmart, Kroger, Costco, etc.) offer their own low-cost generic medication programs.

Best for: Common generic medications. Major pharmacy chains like Walmart, Kroger, and Costco offer competitive pricing on frequently prescribed generics including antibiotics, heart medications, and diabetes drugs.

How it works: Ask your local pharmacy about their generic discount program. No membership usually required (though Costco requires membership for pharmacy access).

💡 Pharmacist's Tip

Always compare prices across multiple options before filling a prescription. A medication that costs hundreds with your insurance might cost a fraction of that through Cost Plus Drugs, GoodRx, or manufacturer direct programs. Specialty medications showing the most dramatic savings include treatments for cancer, diabetes, obesity, and chronic conditions. Don't assume insurance is always the cheapest route—check direct-pay options first.

Direct Primary Care (DPC)

A membership-based healthcare model that gives you unlimited access to your doctor for a monthly fee—no insurance billing involved.

What Is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care is a practice model where you pay your primary care doctor directly through a monthly or annual membership fee. In exchange, you get:

  • Unlimited office visits with no copays
  • Same-day or next-day appointments
  • Longer appointment times (30-60 minutes instead of 10-15)
  • Direct access to your doctor via phone, text, or email
  • Many in-office services included (basic labs, EKGs, minor procedures)
  • Wholesale prescription pricing at many DPC practices

How Is This Different from Insurance?

DPC is NOT insurance—it's a direct relationship with your doctor. You still need catastrophic insurance or a health sharing plan for hospitalizations, surgeries, and specialists. However, DPC handles 80-90% of your primary care needs at a predictable monthly cost.

Who Should Consider DPC?

DPC works especially well for:

  • People with high-deductible health plans who pay out-of-pocket anyway
  • Self-employed individuals and small business owners
  • Patients with chronic conditions requiring frequent monitoring
  • Anyone frustrated with rushed appointments and difficulty accessing their doctor
  • Families who want comprehensive primary care at a fixed cost

Cost Comparison Example

Traditional insurance often involves paying monthly premiums, copays for each visit, and out-of-pocket costs before meeting high deductibles.
DPC alternative: A fixed monthly membership fee for unlimited primary care, combined with a high-deductible or catastrophic insurance plan for major medical events, can provide comprehensive coverage for less.

Finding a DPC Practice Near You

Use the DPC Frontier or DPC Mapper websites to search for practices in your area. Many offer free meet-and-greet appointments so you can tour the practice and meet the doctor before committing.

DPC Frontier → DPC Alliance →

💡 Pharmacist's Tip

Many DPC doctors can prescribe medications and help you access them at the lowest possible cost through programs like Cost Plus Drugs. They have more time to work with you on medication management than traditional insurance-based practices.

Other Direct-Pay Healthcare Services

Beyond prescriptions and primary care, many services are available at transparent, affordable prices when you pay directly.

Laboratory Testing

Options: Walk-In Lab, Ulta Lab Tests, Quest Direct, LabCorp OnDemand

How it works: Order your own lab tests online (or with a doctor's order), visit a local lab for the blood draw, and receive results in days—often for less than insurance copays.

Example: Routine lab tests can cost significantly less when ordered directly compared to going through insurance, with transparent pricing listed upfront.

Best for: Routine monitoring (cholesterol, thyroid, vitamin levels) or when you want specific tests your insurance won't cover.

Medical Imaging

Options: Independent imaging centers, SimonMed, Stand-Up MRI centers

How it works: With a doctor's prescription, you can shop for MRI, CT, and X-ray services. Prices are often posted online and can be 50-70% less than hospital rates.

Example: Independent imaging centers often charge substantially less than hospital facilities for the same imaging services, with prices frequently posted online for comparison.

Telemedicine

Options: Teladoc, MDLive, PlushCare, GoodRx Care, Amazon Clinic

How it works: Video or phone consultations with licensed doctors for common conditions at competitive cash-pay rates.

Best for: Urgent care needs (UTIs, sinus infections, rashes), prescription refills, and basic medical advice.

Tip: Many platforms can send prescriptions to Cost Plus Drugs or provide GoodRx coupons for maximum savings.

Dental & Vision Care

Dental schools: Dental schools offer comprehensive care at substantially reduced rates compared to regular prices, performed by supervised students.

Discount dental plans: Services like Careington and DentalPlans.com offer membership programs that provide significant discounts at participating dentists (NOT insurance, but can offer substantial savings).

Vision: Online retailers (Zenni Optical, Warby Parker) offer prescription glasses at a fraction of traditional optical shop prices. Get your prescription from any optometrist and order online.

Cash-Pay Surgery Centers

What it is: Ambulatory surgery centers that offer all-inclusive pricing for common procedures (colonoscopy, cataract surgery, hernia repair, etc.).

How it works: Get a price quote upfront that includes surgeon, anesthesia, and facility fees. Often substantially less than insurance-billed hospital procedures.

Resources: Surgery Center of Oklahoma is a pioneer in transparent pricing. Use them as a benchmark when price-shopping procedures.

Surgery Center of Oklahoma →

How to Get Started

1

Review Your Current Costs

Look at what you're actually paying for healthcare: premiums, deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket expenses. Many people spend thousands on insurance but still pay most costs themselves due to high deductibles.

2

Compare Prescription Prices

Take your current medications and compare prices on Cost Plus Drugs, GoodRx, and your pharmacy's generic program. You might discover immediate savings.

3

Explore Direct Primary Care

If you visit the doctor several times a year or have chronic conditions, research DPC practices in your area. Many offer tours and consultations at no charge.

4

Consider a Hybrid Approach

You don't have to choose between insurance and direct care. Many people keep catastrophic/high-deductible insurance for major emergencies while using direct-pay options for routine care and prescriptions.

5

Ask Questions

Call and ask for cash prices before any service. Providers are often willing to offer discounts for direct payment since they avoid insurance paperwork and delayed payments.

⚠️ Important Considerations

These options work alongside or instead of insurance, depending on your situation. Always maintain coverage for catastrophic events (hospitalizations, major surgery, cancer treatment). Direct-pay options excel for routine, predictable care but aren't a replacement for major medical protection.

Before making changes to your insurance, consult with a healthcare or financial advisor to ensure you maintain appropriate coverage for your circumstances.

About This Resource

DirectCareChoices.com was created by Adriana Hughes, PharmD, RPh, a consultant pharmacist with extensive experience helping patients navigate healthcare costs and medication access.

After years of witnessing patients struggle with high medication costs and insurance barriers, I created this website to educate people about the direct-care alternatives that are often hidden in plain sight. Many patients don't realize that paying cash can be cheaper and simpler than using insurance—especially for generic medications and routine services.

This site is purely educational. I have no financial relationships with any of the companies or services mentioned here. My goal is to empower patients with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their healthcare.

Disclaimer: This website provides educational information only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making decisions about your care. The resources listed are provided for informational purposes; please verify current pricing, availability, and suitability for your specific needs.