Health Co-op Guide

How to Find a Doctor

With the Health Co-op, the network covers any provider — you're never locked into a narrow list. Here's how the different types of providers near you compare.

Part 1

Types of Providers Near You

Four ways to see a doctor — all covered under the Health Co-op's open network.

Doctor's Office

Hospital system or physician group

A traditional primary care practice, often part of a larger hospital network or physician group.

Urgent Care

Walk-in clinic

Walk-in clinics for non-emergency issues that need prompt attention without an appointment.

Direct Primary Care

Concierge doctor

A membership-based doctor who sees you as often as needed, with no copays or insurance middleman.

Virtual DPC

Telehealth membership

Same DPC relationship, delivered virtually — video visits, messaging, and remote care from home.

Compare · 1 of 3

Experience

How long does it take to get an appointment — and how much time do you actually get with the doctor?

How Fast Can You Get In?

Doctor's Office
Initial Visit6 months – 1 year
Urgent Care
Urgent needsSame day
Direct Primary Care
Initial VisitA few days – 1 week
Urgent issuesSame day
Virtual DPC
Initial VisitA few days – 1 week
Urgent needsSame day

Time with Your Doctor

Doctor's Office
7 min
Urgent Care
12 min
Direct Primary Care
45 min
Virtual DPC
40 min

This is the average time the actual provider sees the patient. Usually there's time with a medical assistant to ask questions and do height and weight before you're actually seen by the provider.

The Direct Primary Care Advantage

More time with your doctor means more than just longer visits — it changes what care is possible.

Really Cheap Labs

DPC doctors negotiate wholesale lab pricing — routine bloodwork often costs a fraction of what a traditional office charges.

Deeper Health Review

With 45+ minutes per visit, your DPC doctor goes over your health in far more detail — catching issues a 7-minute visit simply can't.

Refills by Phone or Text

Need a medication refill? Your DPC doctor can handle it over the phone or via text — no need to book an appointment weeks out like at a regular office.

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Relationship

How well does your doctor know you — and how often do you see the same one?

Doctor's Office

Usually the same provider

You only get about 7 minutes on average — there's little opportunity to actually build a relationship.

Urgent Care

Usually a different provider

Walk-in clinics rotate staff — you'll see someone new every single visit.

Direct Primary Care

Always the same provider

You build a long-term relationship with one provider who knows your full history — every visit.

Virtual DPC

Always the same for scheduled visits

Always the same provider for checkups and scheduled visits. For urgent needs, you may see a different on-call provider.

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Costs

What you pay — and how the Health Co-op helps cover it.

Doctor's Office

$250

Per-visit fee

Typical visit cost before deductible

Health Co-op covers up to $1,250 / person / year toward visits

Urgent Care

$250

Per-visit fee

Typical visit cost before deductible

Health Co-op covers up to $1,250 / person / year toward visits

Direct Primary Care

Membership

Monthly membership

Flat monthly fee — unlimited visits, no copays

The $1,250 / person / year from your Co-op covers almost any DPC membership — more than enough.

Virtual DPC

Membership

Monthly membership

Flat monthly fee — unlimited virtual visits

The $1,250 / person / year from your Co-op is definitely enough to cover a virtual DPC membership.

At a Glance

The Full Picture

Every provider type, compared across everything that matters.

Getting In

Doctor's Office6 mo – 1 yr
Urgent CareSame day
DPCFew days – 1 wk / same day
Virtual DPCFew days – 1 wk / same day

Time with Doctor

Doctor's Office~7 min
Urgent Care~12 min
DPC~45 min
Virtual DPC~40 min

Same Provider?

Doctor's OfficeUsually
Urgent CareUsually not
DPCAlways
Virtual DPCScheduled: always

Cost Model

Doctor's Office$250 / visit
Urgent Care$250 / visit
DPCMembership
Virtual DPCMembership

Cheap Labs

Doctor's OfficeNo
Urgent CareNo
DPCYes — wholesale
Virtual DPCYes

Refills by Text

Doctor's OfficeNo — need appt
Urgent CareNo
DPCYes
Virtual DPCYes

Deep Health Review

Doctor's OfficeLimited
Urgent CareNo
DPCYes — 45+ min
Virtual DPCYes

Co-op Coverage

Doctor's Office$1,250/yr
Urgent Care$1,250/yr
DPCCovers membership
Virtual DPCCovers membership

Our Recommendations

Find Your Doctor

Ready to connect with a Direct Primary Care provider? Here's where to start.

Direct Primary Care

Find a DPC Provider Near You

Search a nationwide map of Direct Primary Care practices in your area.

Search DPC Mapper

Virtual Primary Care

Blueberry Pediatrics

24/7 virtual pediatric care — perfect for families with young children.

Visit Blueberry Pediatrics

Nice Healthcare

Virtual primary care for the entire family — convenient, affordable, comprehensive.

Visit Nice Healthcare
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