Are self-employed
Pair a membership with a lower-cost plan and get reliable, predictable primary care.
How direct primary care works
Simple by design. Personal by nature.
Direct primary care (DPC) is a membership between you and your doctor.
We remove the insurance middleman from your everyday medical relationship. Instead of billing per visit, per code, per complication, members pay one predictable monthly fee — and in exchange, get a physician who actually has time for them.
That means longer visits. Direct messaging access to your doctor. Prompt appointments. And a practice small enough that your physician actually remembers your history — not just what's on the chart in front of them.
Your primary care is simply there when you need it, without copays, claims, or the ten-minute clock.
Getting started
From sign-up to first visit.
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Enroll online
Choose the Adult or Senior membership and complete a short enrollment. A one-time $100 fee sets up your membership, which begins with a three-month commitment.
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Your first visit
We'll take the time to review your history, medications, and goals, and request your past records so nothing gets lost.
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A relationship that grows
Over your first three months and beyond, we track changes and build your plan together. Message Dr. Eng anytime, book same- or next-day visits, and get labs and medications at wholesale prices.
DPC and insurance
Better together: complete coverage.
Membership covers your everyday primary care. Insurance protects you from the big and unexpected. Many members pair Pastera with a high-deductible or healthshare plan.
Your Pastera membership
Everyday & ongoing care
- Sick visits and check-ups
- Chronic condition management
- Preventive care and physicals
- Direct messaging with your doctor
- Labs and medications at wholesale prices
Your health insurance
The big and unexpected
- Emergency room and urgent care
- Hospital stays and surgery
- Specialist visits
- Advanced imaging (MRI, CT)
- Other care outside primary care
Side by side
What changes with direct primary care.
| Typical insurance-based practice | Pastera DPC | |
|---|---|---|
| Getting an appointment | Often weeks or months | Same- or next-day appointments often available |
| Time with your doctor | Ten-minute visits with only one problem allowed | 30-60 min visits, in person or virtual |
| Reaching your doctor | Endless phone trees and impersonal call centers | Text, call, or message Dr. Eng directly |
| Cost of a visit | Copays, coinsurance, deductibles | Included in your membership |
| Labs and medications | Varies by plan; often unclear until billed | Wholesale prices, known up front |
| Continuity | May see a different provider each time | The same trusted physician, every time |
Is DPC right for you?
Direct primary care is a great fit if you…
Are a busy professional
Text Dr. Eng between meetings, get same- or next-day appointments, and handle many concerns by video, without losing half a day to a waiting room.
Have a high deductible
Stop paying inflated prices for every visit while you work toward your deductible.
Manage a chronic condition
Diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol care goes better with frequent, easy follow-up.
Want a real relationship
A doctor who knows your history, your family, and what matters to you.
Good to know
HSAs, Medicare, and more.
Can I pay with my HSA?
We accept HSA and FSA cards. Please confirm with your HSA/FSA plan administrator or tax advisor.
How does this work with Medicare?
Medicare patients can enroll starting January 2027. Due to Medicare regulations, we're unable to see Medicare patients before then. Our Senior membership is designed for patients 65 and older. Membership fees are paid directly to Pastera, and you keep your Medicare coverage for hospital care, specialists, imaging, and other services outside primary care. We're happy to walk you through the details.
What if I need a specialist or the hospital?
Dr. Eng coordinates your care: referring you to trusted specialists, sharing your records, and following up afterward. Specialist and hospital care is billed separately, typically through your insurance. In an emergency, always call 911.