Preventive Care
Annual physicals, screenings, vaccines and risk reduction planning
Direct Primary Care Membership in Easley, SC: Unlimited Access, One Flat Monthly Fee
Unlimited access primary care for one flat monthly fee, no insurance required.
Visit Length:Tailored to each patient
Access:Same/next day
Patient Panel:Limited for personalized access
Insurance Accepted:Yes
The Challenge
When Rushed Visits Call for Direct Primary Care Membership
Understanding Direct Primary Care
You leave the office feeling unheard. The visit lasted 7 minutes, the provider was typing the entire time, and you forgot to mention the symptom that brought you in. Refills require multiple phone calls, lab results sit unexplained in a portal, and getting an appointment when you actually feel sick can take weeks. Insurance dictates which medications you can try and how long you have with the person responsible for your health. For many adults across Easley and the Upstate, this cycle has replaced what primary care was supposed to be.
A direct primary care membership replaces that cycle with a relationship. You pay a flat monthly fee directly to the practice, which means insurance does not decide your visit length, your medication choices, or how often you can call. Visits run longer to fit your needs. You text or message your provider directly with questions. Same-day or next-day appointments are standard. Generic medications, in-office labs, and basic procedures are included in your flat monthly fee, which often saves more than the monthly fee itself.
Treatment Timeline
First Visit
Unhurried new patient intake
Visit Access
Same day or next day, unlimited
Visit Length
Tailored to each patient
Commitment
Month to month, cancel anytime
What Is Direct Primary Care Membership?
The Direct Primary Care Model
Direct primary care membership, often called DPC, is a primary care model where patients pay a flat monthly subscription directly to the practice instead of relying on insurance billing. The fee covers unlimited visits, direct provider communication, and many in-office services. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the model is designed to restore the patient-physician relationship and remove the administrative barriers that drive provider burnout and patient dissatisfaction.
How Direct Primary Care Membership Works
You pay a predictable monthly fee directly to Riverstone Wellness. Because the practice does not bill insurance for your visits, the panel size stays small (typically 300 to 600 patients per provider, compared to 2,000 to 3,000 in traditional offices). That math is the entire mechanism: fewer patients means longer visits, faster access, and time to actually treat root causes instead of managing the clock.
Your flat monthly fee includes more than 1,000 generic medications; in-office labs and imaging are offered at low negotiated cash prices. According to the DPC Frontier mapping project, this transparent pricing routinely saves members 50 to 90 percent on common prescriptions and routine bloodwork compared to insurance-mediated pricing.
What Happens During Your Membership Visit
You arrive at a relaxed appointment time, not a packed waiting room. Your provider sits with you, reviews your full history, listens without typing through the conversation, and builds a care plan that fits your life. There is no rush to the next slot.
Direct Primary Care Membership Results and Duration
Most members report better chronic disease control, fewer ER visits, and significant medication savings within the first 3 to 6 months. The membership continues month to month with no long-term contract.
Benefits of Direct Primary Care Membership
Time, Access, and Savings
2000+ Satisfied patients
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Unlimited Visits
No copays, no per-visit charges, no caps on how often you are seen
- 02
Same-Day Access
Same-day or next-business-day appointments for members
- 03
Direct Provider Contact
Text, call, or message directly with your provider
- 04
Included Medications
Over 1,000 generic medications at no or low cost
- 05
Longer Appointments
Visits run longer so nothing gets missed
- 06
Predictable Cost
One flat monthly fee, no surprise bills, HSA eligible in many cases
Direct Primary Care vs. Alternatives
Compare Your Options
| Model | Visit Length | Access | Cost Structure | Panel Size | Provider Contact | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Primary Care at Riverstone | Tailored to each patient | Same/next day | Flat monthly fee | Limited for personalized access | Direct text/call | Time, access, savings |
| Traditional Fee-for-Service | 7-15 minutes | 1-3 weeks out | Per-visit billing | 2,000+ patients | Phone tree, portal | Episodic visits |
| Insurance-Only Primary Care | 10-15 minutes | Days to weeks | Copays plus premiums | 1,500-3,000 | Staff intermediated | Basic in-network care |
Who Is a Good Candidate for Direct Primary Care Membership?
Finding Your Best Care Fit
Direct primary care membership works best for individuals and families who want a real relationship with their provider and value time and access over insurance-mediated care.
Ideal Candidates for Direct Primary Care Membership
- Individuals and families of all ages seeking a long-term primary care relationship
- Patients managing chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, or high cholesterol
- Busy professionals and parents who need same-day or next-day appointments
- People with high-deductible insurance plans or HSAs looking to reduce out-of-pocket costs
- Patients frustrated by rushed visits, phone trees, and difficulty reaching their doctor
- Individuals interested in pairing primary care with onsite weight management treatment in Easley, SC or wellness services
Who Should Wait or Consider Other Options
- Patients who require complex specialist-led care that primary care cannot coordinate
- Individuals who only want care covered fully by Medicaid or Medicare without a separate membership fee
- Patients seeking emergency care, ICU level care, or inpatient hospitalist services
A DPC membership at Riverstone Wellness does not replace health insurance for hospitalizations, surgeries, or specialist care. We recommend pairing the membership with a high-deductible plan or major medical coverage. The American Academy of Family Physicians offers patient guidance on how Direct Primary Care fits alongside insurance.
What Happens During Direct Primary Care Membership Onboarding
Step-by-Step Process
Discovery Call
Kristina answers your questions about the membership, fees, and what is included before you join.
Enrollment
You complete a simple membership agreement and set up your flat monthly fee with no long-term contract.
Intake Visit
Your provider spends unhurried time reviewing your full history, current medications, labs, and goals together.
Care Plan
Kristina builds a personalized prevention and chronic care plan with realistic next steps and onsite labs as needed.
Ongoing Access
You message Kristina directly and book unlimited same-day or next-day visits for as long as you stay enrolled.
Risks and Considerations
What to Know
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Cost and Logistics
A direct primary care membership is a service agreement, not a medical procedure, so it has no direct physical side effects. The most common considerations for patients are financial and logistical: the monthly fee is paid out of pocket, and the membership does not bill insurance for visits performed inside the practice. There are no copays or hidden fees for routine in-house visits.
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Not a Replacement for Insurance
The membership does not replace health insurance. It does not pay for hospitalizations, surgeries, emergency room care, specialist visits, or imaging performed outside the practice. We strongly recommend members carry a high-deductible health plan or comparable major medical coverage to protect against catastrophic costs while enjoying lower-cost, relationship-based primary care here.
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Practice Standards
Riverstone Wellness is an independent practice operating under standard South Carolina medical licensure and HIPAA privacy rules. Kristina Schafer is board-certified by the AANP and follows current evidence-based guidelines for adult primary care. Members receive longer visits, direct messaging access, and care decisions that stay between you and your provider, never an insurance company.
Direct Primary Care Membership Cost in Easley
Pricing and Payment Options
Direct primary care membership at Riverstone Wellness is offered as a flat monthly fee that varies based on age and household enrollment. Direct primary care membership at Riverstone Wellness is a flat $120 per month per individual. One predictable fee, no copays, no per-visit charges, and no surprise bills.
What Is Included in the $120 Monthly Fee
- Chronic disease management
- Comprehensive annual exam and unlimited office visits
- Direct provider messaging by text, phone, or secure message
- Over 1,000 generic medications available via mail order, included in your membership
- Annual lab panel
- Same-day or next-day sick visits
HSA, FSA, and Insurance
The monthly membership fee is HSA and FSA eligible in many cases. The membership does not bill insurance for in-house visits and is designed to pair with a high-deductible health plan or comparable major medical coverage.
Flexible Payment Options
Riverstone Wellness offers multiple ways to make membership accessible:
- Monthly auto-pay by credit card or ACH with no long-term contract
- Household and family pricing for couples and dependents living at the same address
- CareCredit for related wellness services and treatments outside the standard membership
- Employer Direct Primary Care contracts through our direct primary care for employers in Easley, SC program
Cancellation is straightforward: memberships are month to month and can be paused or ended without penalty.
Why Choose Riverstone Wellness for Direct Primary Care Membership in Easley, SC
Easley's Trusted Provider
Capped Patient Panel
Smaller panel means longer visits and same-day availability for you
Internal Medicine Roots
Adult and gerontology certified provider trained in complex care
Integrated Wellness
Onsite psychiatry, vitamin injections and pelvic floor care under one roof
Independent Practice
Care decisions made by you and Kristina, not insurance reviewers
Direct Messaging
Text, call, or message Kristina directly without phone trees or portals
Included Medications
Over 1,000 generics dispensed in-house, included in your flat monthly fee
Related Services
Pair your membership with onsite mental health and wellness care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Direct Primary Care Membership
Your Questions Answered
What is included in the membership?
Unlimited office visits, direct messaging with Kristina, same-day or next-day access, in-office procedures, 1,000+ generic medications included in the flat monthly fee, and discounted labs and imaging are all part of your membership.
How much is the monthly fee?
Most adult memberships fall between 75 and 150 dollars per month, with reduced rates for additional household members. Exact pricing depends on age and household size and is confirmed during your discovery call.
Do you accept insurance?
Riverstone Wellness does not bill insurance for membership visits. The membership is paid directly to the practice, which keeps panels small and visits long. Outside labs, imaging, and specialists can still bill your insurance separately.
Can I keep my current insurance?
Yes, and we strongly recommend it. Most members pair the membership with a high-deductible health plan or major medical coverage to protect against hospitalizations, surgeries, and specialist care while using the membership for primary care.
Is the membership HSA or FSA eligible?
In many cases yes, but eligibility depends on your specific plan administrator. We recommend confirming with your HSA or FSA provider before enrolling and can supply documentation as needed.
How is this different from a traditional primary care office?
If you have searched for a concierge doctor near me and felt sticker shock, direct primary care is the affordable cousin: visits run longer instead of 7, you reach Kristina directly instead of a phone tree, and the practice is not driven by insurance billing volumes. The panel is capped, so access stays fast year after year.
How long are visits?
New patient intake visits are unhurried so your provider can fully review your history, medications, and goals. Follow-up and acute visits are also longer than the 7 to 15 minutes most insurance-based offices allow.
What happens if I need a specialist or hospital care?
Kristina coordinates trusted referrals and shares records directly with the specialist. The membership does not cover specialist or hospital costs, which is why we recommend pairing it with major medical insurance.
Can I add wellness services like vitamin injections or weight management?
Yes. Members frequently add vitamin injections, NAD plus, semaglutide weight loss, and pelvic floor therapy with Emsella, all available onsite at Riverstone Wellness with member-friendly pricing.
Location4891 Hwy 153 Unit E
Easley, SC, 29642
Easley, SC, 29642
Phone(864) 520-4474
Schedule Your Direct Primary Care Membership Consultation
References
- PubMed (PMID: 32302935) - Direct Primary Care practices report longer visit times, smaller panel sizes, and high patient and physician satisfaction compared to traditional fee-for-service primary care.
- PubMed (PMID: 31501273) - Analysis of Direct Primary Care membership models shows reduced emergency department use and meaningful savings on generic medications and routine labs for enrolled patients.
- PubMed (PMID: 29055912) - Membership-based primary care is associated with improved continuity of care, better chronic disease metrics, and reduced provider burnout in nurse-practitioner-led practices.
- American Academy of Family Physicians - Position statement and patient guidance on the Direct Primary Care delivery model and how it complements major medical insurance.
- DPC Frontier - National mapping and policy resource documenting Direct Primary Care practice growth, fee structures, and state-level regulatory framework.