DPC vs Insurance

Why Should I Sign Up for Membership if I Already Have Health Insurance?

You may be wondering: If I already have health insurance, why would I need a membership at Zion Asher Family Physicians? It’s a great question—and one we hear often.

Let’s break it down.

Insurance Was Never Meant to Handle Everyday Healthcare

Traditionally, health insurance was designed to protect individuals and families from catastrophic events—unexpected hospitalizations, surgeries, or severe injuries. Over time, however, insurance plans started to include routine care, but at a cost: more restrictions, less time with your doctor, and rising out-of-pocket expenses.

Direct Primary Care (DPC) works differently. At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we provide high-quality, accessible primary care without involving insurance companies in your day-to-day care.

Insurance Can Limit Your Options—We Don’t

When you use your insurance plan for primary care, you’re required to use in-network doctors and services. That means:

  • Your doctor must be in your insurance network.

  • Your plan may not cover the medications or labs your doctor recommends.

  • Contracts change yearly, so even if you love your provider, you might be forced to switch.

With DPC, you get to keep your doctor—regardless of which insurance company you use for hospital or specialist care. Zion Asher Family Physicians is not contracted with insurance companies, so we work for you, not them.

More Time with Your Doctor, Fewer Barriers to Care

In traditional insurance-based clinics, physicians often care for over 2,000 patients. That means rushed appointments (usually 7–10 minutes), long wait times, and often being seen by someone other than your doctor.

At Zion Asher Family Physicians:

  • We limit our panel size to around 500–600 patients per physician.

  • You’ll typically spend 30–60 minutes per visit with your actual doctor.

  • We know our patients well, so we can often help with just a phone call or secure message.

This kind of relationship-based care helps prevent chronic disease and supports better long-term health.

Affordable Labs and Medications—No Permission Slips Required

Because we’re not billing insurance, we don’t need prior authorizations to order labs or prescribe medications. That means faster care and fewer delays.

We’ve negotiated deeply discounted pricing on:

  • Common labs

  • Generic medications

  • Imaging referrals

In fact, many members pay less out of pocket for labs and prescriptions through us than they would using their insurance.

Need a specialist? No problem—we’ll coordinate referrals, and your specialist can bill your insurance like usual.

Peace of Mind, Even with Insurance

We encourage our members to pair their DPC membership with a high-deductible health insurance plan or health sharing ministry to cover hospitalizations or major medical needs. But here’s the truth: about 90% of your care happens at the primary care level.

When you:

  • Have a doctor you trust,

  • Can be seen quickly when you're sick,

  • Get help managing stress, hormones, weight, or chronic illness…

...you’re investing in better health—and avoiding more serious problems down the road.

The Bottom Line: Insurance is Not the Same as Care

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we’re redefining what it means to have a personal physician. Our Direct Primary Care model gives you:

  • Unrushed visits

  • Transparent pricing

  • Real relationships with your doctor

  • The freedom to make decisions based on health, not billing codes

Insurance is a backup plan.
DPC is your care plan.

Ready to experience the difference? Join our practice today or schedule a free consultation to learn more.

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 28, 2025

Why does Zion Asher Family Physicians not accept insurance?

The short answer?
Insurance complicates everything—and makes healthcare more expensive and less personal.

Let us explain.

Health Insurance Was Meant for the Big Stuff

Think of health insurance like car insurance. You don’t expect your auto policy to pay for oil changes or brake pads. You use it when something major happens—like an accident or a natural disaster.

Health insurance was originally designed the same way:
To protect you from catastrophic costs, like surgery or hospitalization.

But over time, insurance began covering routine care like doctor visits, labs, and basic medications. While that sounds helpful on the surface, it actually introduced a mountain of paperwork, billing codes, and middlemen—and those layers drive up the cost of care for everyone.

How Insurance Interferes with Your Care

When a clinic accepts insurance, the doctor has to:

  • Meet insurance company requirements before ordering labs, imaging, or meds

  • Follow "approved" treatment plans—even when they aren't the best option

  • See more patients in less time just to stay financially afloat

  • Hire extra staff just to handle billing, prior authorizations, and denials

This results in:

  • Short visits (often under 15 minutes)

  • Delayed care because of paperwork

  • Less time for listening, problem-solving, and prevention

And worst of all? You’re still paying more, even with insurance. A year’s membership for an individual is usually less than $1,500, compared to the average annual cost of $8,951 for a single coverage health insurance premium—or $25,572 for family coverage—according to the 2024 Kaiser Family Foundation Employer Health Benefits Survey.

Why We Don’t Accept Insurance—and What You Get Instead

At Zion Asher Family Physicians, we’ve opted out of the insurance treadmill so we can provide care that actually works—for you.

By not billing insurance, we can offer:

  • Same-day or next-day visits

  • Longer appointments (30–60 minutes, not 10), if needed

  • Transparent pricing—no surprise bills or hidden fees

  • Virtual care when you need it

  • Affordable labs, medications, and procedures—often cheaper than using insurance

Because we work directly for you—not the insurance company—we can focus on what actually helps you feel better and stay healthy.

Real Care, Not Red Tape

We believe healthcare should be simple, honest, and focused on your needs—not insurance company profits.

Our Direct Primary Care model restores that simplicity. You pay a flat monthly membership for unlimited access to care, and we take care of the rest.

No billing games.
No delays.
Just care that puts you first.

Curious what this looks like in real life? Learn how we’re helping local families and businesses thrive with better care.

⚖️ Medical Disclaimer:

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or establish a patient-provider relationship. Always consult with a licensed physician regarding your personal health.

Last Updated: June 29, 2025