At Live Well DPC, we practice medicine the way it was meant to be — just the provider and the patient, without insurance red tape or rushed visits. Our membership-based model allows us to keep a limited patient panel so we can offer longer appointments, same-day or next-day access, and care that is truly personalized. We get to know our patients well, stay proactive with their health, and remain readily available when they need us most.
What Is Direct Primary Care?
Direct primary care — DPC — is a membership-based model that removes the insurance company from the relationship between you and your provider. Instead of billing insurance for every visit, you pay a simple monthly membership fee and get direct, unlimited access to your primary care provider.
No copays. No claim denials. No prior authorizations. Just you, your provider, and the time and space to actually take care of your health — the way it used to be.
How Is Direct Primary Care Different from Traditional Primary Care?
In a traditional practice, providers are managing 1,500 to 2,000 patients at a time. Appointments are rushed. Every decision runs through insurance billing codes, prior authorizations, and whatever your plan covers that year.
At Live Well, we keep a smaller patient panel by design — because that’s the only way to do this right. Smaller means more time with each patient. More time means we can be proactive, not just reactive. It means we actually know your history, your goals, and what matters to you.
Have a quick question? Text or call us directly. When you do come in, the appointment runs as long as it needs to. No clock-watching. No rushed goodbyes.
What Does a DPC Membership Include?
We believe strongly in the power of patient advocacy. Healthcare has become increasingly complex, and our patients need someone in their corner. Navigating lab work, securing affordable medications, managing prior authorizations, coordinating with trusted specialists, delivering personalized nutrition guidance — this is what we do every day.
Your Live Well membership covers a wide range of primary care services with no additional cost per visit:
- Adult medicine and preventive care
- Acute and urgent care (illness, infections, injuries)
- Chronic condition management (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, and more)
- Women’s health
- Mental health support
- Weight management
- Dermatology care
- Discounted labs and imaging
- Travel medicine
- Home visits for established members
Full plan details are on our DPC Services page.
How Much Does Direct Primary Care Cost?
Live Well membership starts at $70/month*. Full pricing and plan details are on our membership page.
With decades of experience and deep roots in the Sarasota community, we know what works, what doesn’t, and how to help patients avoid unnecessary costs, delays, and frustration. Most members find that the membership fee offsets quickly — no copays, no urgent care markups, and access to deeply discounted labs and imaging.
Do I Still Need Health Insurance with a DPC Membership?
Yes — and this is important. Direct primary care is not health insurance. Your membership covers your primary care relationship, not hospitalization, specialist care, surgery, or emergencies.
Most Live Well members pair their membership with a high-deductible health plan (often significantly more affordable than a traditional plan), a health sharing ministry, or Medicare. Since your primary care is already covered, a leaner insurance plan tends to make a great deal of financial sense.
Life can be overwhelming — healthcare shouldn’t add to the stress. We’re happy to talk through how it fits your specific situation. That’s exactly what a meet-and-greet is for.
What Happens If I Need a Specialist?
We refer you — and we stay involved. One of the things that gets lost in traditional primary care is continuity. You see a specialist, a decision gets made, and your primary care provider finds out months later, if at all.
At Live Well, we help you find the right specialist, communicate your history clearly, and stay in the loop throughout. We are your advocate in the broader healthcare system — not just a gatekeeper who writes the referral and disappears.
Is Direct Primary Care Right for Me?
Our extensive background in multiple areas of medicine gives us a clear understanding of what happens when prevention is overlooked — and we use that insight to guide our patients toward long-term wellness. Longevity means little without quality of life.
DPC tends to be a great fit for adults who want a real, ongoing relationship with a provider who knows their history. For those who need same-day access without the ER or urgent care markup. For the self-employed, the uninsured, and anyone managing a chronic condition that benefits from close, consistent care. And honestly, for anyone who simply wants to be treated like a person — not a claim number.
Live Well serves adults across Sarasota and Manatee counties — Sarasota, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Venice, Osprey, Nokomis, North Port, Palmetto, Parrish, and the Anna Maria Island communities.
How Do I Get Started?
Practicing in such a vibrant, active, and beautiful community like Sarasota is a gift — and helping our patients live their healthiest, fullest lives here is our greatest reward.
The best first step is a no-obligation meet-and-greet with Rachel or Julie. It’s a chance to ask questions, get a feel for how we work, and decide if Live Well is the right fit — no pressure, no commitment.
