✦ Now Enrolling Founding Members · Opening Summer 2026
Healthcare the way it should be.
Empathy Membership · Direct Primary Care
A direct relationship with your doctor. Transparent monthly pricing. Unlimited access. No insurance hassles. This is primary care, reimagined.
The Concept
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care, or DPC, is a different way to receive primary care — one that puts the relationship between you and your doctor back at the center.
Instead of billing your insurance for every visit and lab, you pay a transparent monthly membership fee directly to your doctor. In exchange, you get unlimited visits, direct phone and text access, longer appointment times, and dramatically lower prices on labs and medications.
There are no copays, no surprise bills, and no insurance bureaucracy slowing things down. Just your doctor, available when you need them.
“DPC is what medicine looked like before insurance got in the way — your doctor knows you, has time for you, and is paid directly for your care, not for billing codes.”
How It Works
Three simple steps to join the practice.
All Empathy Members get the same direct access, the same time-rich appointments, and the same transparent pricing. Pick the tier that fits, meet Dr. Patel, and start getting care the way it should be.
01 / Step 1
Choose Your Membership Tier
Pick the level of care that fits your needs and budget. Three tiers from $49 to $199 per month. Cancel anytime.
02 / Step 2
Meet Dr. Patel
Schedule your comprehensive new patient visit. We’ll spend 60 minutes understanding your full health history, goals, and concerns — the foundation of a real doctor-patient relationship.
03 / Step 3
Get Care When You Need It
Text, call, video, or visit in person. Same-day or next-day appointments. Wholesale pricing on labs and medications. Direct access to your doctor — not a call center.
Membership Tiers
Three tiers. One goal: better care.
Choose the plan that fits your needs. All tiers include direct access to Dr. Patel, transparent pricing, and the time you deserve.
Tier 1 · Virtual Care
$49 / month
Direct access, simplified.
Best for: Healthy adults who want a doctor on call, prescription management, and access to wholesale labs — without regular in-person visits.
What’s included:
- Unlimited telehealth visits (video and phone)
- Direct text and email access to Dr. Patel during business hours
- Prescription management and refills
- Wholesale pricing on labs (often 70-90% off retail)
- Wholesale pricing on medications
- Annual virtual wellness consultation
★ Most Popular
Tier 2 · Complete Care
$99 / month
Comprehensive primary care, on your terms.
Best for: Adults who want a real primary care relationship — unlimited in-person visits, full chronic disease management, and access to advanced services like hormone therapy and medical weight loss.
Everything in Tier 1, plus:
- Unlimited in-office visits (30 to 60 minutes each)
- Same-day and next-day appointments
- Annual comprehensive physical exam
- Chronic disease management
- Post-hospitalization follow-up care
- Basic in-office procedures (joint injections, EKG, spirometry, ear lavage)
- Hormone Replacement Therapy program (medications at wholesale)
- Medical weight loss program, including GLP-1 management (medications at wholesale)
- Functional and Integrative medicine consultations
- Direct text and phone access during business hours
Tier 3 · Premium Concierge
$199 / month
White-glove care, redefined.
Best for: Adults who want the highest level of personalized care — including in-home visits, IV therapy, executive physicals, and personal coordination of all your specialty care.
Everything in Tier 2, plus:
- Annual Executive Physical — 2-hour comprehensive evaluation with advanced labs, EKG, body composition analysis, cognitive screening
- IV Infusion Therapy — one infusion per month included; additional sessions at member rate
- In-Home Visits — Dr. Patel comes to you, on request, within 10 miles of the clinic
- Extended Access — direct contact during evenings and weekends for non-emergencies
- Specialist Care Coordination — Dr. Patel personally coordinates referrals, communicates with specialists, and reviews reports with you
- Priority Scheduling — guaranteed same-day appointments
- Quarterly Health Coaching Check-ins
✦ Founding Member Offer. Join as one of our first 50 founding members and your $99 enrollment fee is waived.
Couple Pricing
Add a partner. Save 20%.
Add a partner or spouse to any membership tier and save 20%.
| Tier | Individual | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Care | $49 / mo | $88 / mo |
| Complete Care | $99 / mo | $178 / mo |
| Premium Concierge | $199 / mo | $358 / mo |
Transparency
What membership doesn’t cover.
We believe in being upfront about what membership includes — and what it doesn’t. To get the most from your Empathy Membership, you should also have:
Health Insurance for Major Events
Your membership covers primary care, not hospitalization, emergency room visits, surgery, or specialist care. We strongly recommend maintaining a high-deductible health plan or other coverage for these events.
Specialist Care
While we coordinate referrals to specialists, their fees and services are billed separately.
Imaging & Advanced Testing
Major imaging like MRIs and CT scans, as well as specialty testing, are not included but can be obtained at wholesale rates through our partnerships.
We’ll discuss your full healthcare needs during your initial consultation and help you understand the right combination of membership and insurance for your situation.
Right Fit
Is Empathy Membership right for you?
Some honest signal on whether DPC fits your situation. If you’re not sure, we’re happy to talk it through.
Membership is a great fit if you:
- Want a real relationship with your doctor — not 7-minute visits
- Have a chronic condition like congestive heart failure, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid disease that needs ongoing care
- Are interested in preventive care, weight management, or hormone optimization
- Are self-employed, retired, or have a high-deductible insurance plan
- Are tired of insurance bureaucracy, surprise bills, and rushed appointments
- Want same-day access when you need it
- Value transparent, honest pricing
Membership may not be the right fit if you:
- Need ongoing care for conditions managed primarily by specialists
- Require pediatric care (we serve adults 18+ only)
- Need emergency or urgent surgical care (always call 911)
- Are seeking a primary care visit covered fully by Medicare or Medicaid
If you’re not sure, schedule a free 15-minute discovery call and we’ll figure it out together.
FAQ & Legal
Frequently asked questions.
Texas Legal Disclaimer
Empathy Membership is a Direct Primary Care medical home agreement and is not insurance. It is not regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance. The membership does not provide coverage for hospitalization, emergency care, specialist care, or services not explicitly listed in your membership agreement. Members are strongly encouraged to maintain health insurance — including high-deductible plans — to cover emergency services, specialty care, and hospitalization. Please review the full Membership Agreement for complete terms and conditions.
Is Empathy Membership insurance?
No. Empathy Membership is a direct payment relationship between you and Dr. Patel — not insurance. It does not replace health insurance for hospitalization, emergencies, or specialist care. We strongly recommend maintaining a high-deductible health plan alongside your membership.
Do you accept insurance?
Empathy Primary Care will begin accepting most major insurance plans in Fall 2026.
What if I need to see a specialist?
We coordinate referrals to specialists in your network. Tier 3 members receive personalized specialist coordination, where Dr. Patel communicates with specialists directly and reviews reports with you.
What if I have an emergency?
Always call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. Empathy Primary Care is not an urgent care or emergency facility. We can provide follow-up care after a hospitalization or ER visit through our post-hospitalization care program.
How do I pay for the membership?
Monthly payments via credit card, debit card, or HSA/FSA card (consult your tax advisor regarding HSA/FSA eligibility). You’ll receive a transparent itemized statement each month.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. There are no long-term contracts. You can cancel your membership at the end of any monthly billing cycle.
Why is Empathy Membership less expensive than my current healthcare?
Because we eliminate the insurance middleman. We don’t have to hire billing staff, fight insurance denials, or charge inflated prices to compensate for unpaid claims. The savings are passed directly to you.
How is this different from concierge medicine?
Traditional concierge practices typically charge $3,000-$10,000 per year and still bill your insurance for visits. DPC charges a transparent monthly fee and includes all primary care services. It’s concierge-level access at a fraction of the cost.
Can my whole family join?
Currently we serve adults 18 and older. Couples can join under our 20% discount pricing. We do not currently accept pediatric patients.
What languages does Dr. Patel speak?
Dr. Patel speaks English, Hindi, and Gujarati. Spanish and other language translation services are available in-clinic.
✦ Founding Member Offer · Limited to the First 50
Ready to experience healthcare the way it should be?
Founding member spots are limited. Reserve yours today, lock in today’s pricing, and get your $99 enrollment fee waived.