Direct primary care is exploding in popularity––especially in Colorado, which has always had a forward-thinking approach to healthcare alternatives.
For many years. Colorado residents in much of the state have faced a chronic shortage of primary care physicians. This is especially true of Western Slope and southwest Colorado communities like Durango, which are far away from the large metro Denver area.
In some areas, patients have to wait weeks to see a new primary care doctor at a conventional insurance-based practice.
Even then, they’re lucky to spend 15 minutes of facetime with an MD. This is barely enough to collect a medical history and discuss any current problems.
But members of subscription-based direct primary care (DPC) clinics can routinely get same-day or next-day appointments – and spend as long as an hour face-to-face with their doctor, if necessary, to get to the bottom of their medical issue.
No extra charge.
No wonder it’s so popular.
How DPC Works
Under the DPC model, patients pay a monthly or annual fee directly to their primary care physician, similar to a gym membership. This fee typically ranges from $50 to $150 per month, depending on age and services included.
There’s no additional deductible, copay, coinsurance, or any other hidden cost to see your primary care physician.
You can make as many appointments as you need to get to the bottom of your condition, and fully treat it, or properly maintain a chronic condition.
Insurance companies, hospital oligarchies, and government bureaucracies are completely removed from the equation and the doctor/patient relationship is allowed to thrive.
The monthly subscription fee covers a wide range of primary care services like routine check-ups, preventive care, chronic disease management, basic laboratory tests, and minor procedures with no copays or coinsurance.
DPC practices often work with patients to find affordable options for services they don’t provide, such as specialty care and imaging.
While you’ll still need to supplement a DPC membership with some sort of catastrophic health plan or health sharing membership, DPC can still lower overall healthcare costs through improved preventive care and reduced emergency room visits. Costs for all services are transparent, so there are no surprise charges.
With DPC you’ll get longer appointment times, often 30-60 minutes and same-day or next-day appointments, and 24/7 access to your physician via text, phone, or email.
If you’re a resident of Southwest Colorado, and you’re looking for a better healthcare experience and a deeper, more personal relationship with your medical doctor, DPC is a great option.
Here are a few of the very best direct primary care practices serving southwestern Colorado residents.
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1.) Durango Primary Care––Durango, Colorado
Durango Primary Care offers patients top notch healthcare through the Direct Primary Care (DPC) model.
The clinic runs as a DPC because they want to deliver the very best primary care has to offer, without interference from giant insurance conglomerates, big pharma, or bureaucratic red tape.
Dr. Adam Owens, MD, owner and founder of Durango Primary Care, offers a wide range of services from orthopedic medicine to pediatrics. Dr. Owens, who is fluent in Spanish, ensures that the clinic is accessible and welcoming to a diverse patient population.
As a bonus, they have two support/service animals on staff, Nia and Fish. Nia and Fish are known to make an appearance at the clinic and patients love them!
Meet Dr. Adam Owens, MD
Dr. Owens graduated from Albany Medical College in 2011 and completed his residency in family medicine at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2014.
He worked with the Fort Lewis College athletics primary care team before starting Durango Primary Care.
Dr. Owens is passionate about primary care, especially adult internal medicine, pediatrics, urgent care, sports medicine, and women’s health.
He is involved in the Durango community, coaching youth lacrosse and likes to go on adventures with his family.
Dr. Owens speaks Spanish fluently.
Services and Pricing
Services Offered
- Acute/Urgent Care For immediate medical concerns, Durango Primary Care offers same-day and next-day appointments as part of its membership service.
- Chronic Disease Management Managing chronic illnesses is a key focus at Durango Primary Care. The clinic provides ongoing support for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and mental health issues.
- Preventative Care Durango Primary Care is dedicated to creating long-term health through comprehensive preventative care. The clinic provides adult wellness visits, well-child checks, and women’s health exams, supplemented by advanced laboratory tests and screenings for cancer and cardiac health.
- Minor Surgery/In-Office Procedures ranging from ear cleanings and abscess drainage to joint injections and skin spot removals.
- Orthopedic Care Dr. Owens’ expertise in sports medicine and his previous role as the team doctor for Fort Lewis College athletics position him uniquely to handle orthopedic issues.
Pricing
Individual Rates
- Ages 0-19 (with parent/guardian membership): $20
- Ages 0-19 (without parent/guardian membership): $40
- Ages 20-40 $59
- Ages 45-64 $82
- Ages 65 and older $99
Family Rates
- 2 adults, 2 children up to age 19 $150
- Additional children $15 each
Registration Fee
- Individual of any age $60
- Family of 4 or greater $120
Discounts
- 5% discount available for annual prepayment.
Contact Information
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you can reach Durango Primary Care directly.
- Locations
-
- Main Office 575 Rivergate Lane Suite 95, Durango, CO 81301
- Animas Surgical Hospital 575 Rivergate, Durango, Colorado 81301, United States
- Phone 970-296-5363
- Website https://durangoprimarycare.com/
2.) Mountain View Family Healthcare –– Durango, Colorado
Mountain View Family Healthcare, located in Durango, Colorado, is another excellent choice if you’re looking for a quality DPC clinic.
Led by Dr. Kirsten ‘Kicki’ Searfus, MD, the clinic focuses on providing personalized care to individuals, families, and businesses in the community.
Dr. Seafus said she chose to open her own DPC practice because her passion is delivering first rate health care while partnering with patients to achieve their health and wellness goals.
Meet the Physician
Since 2006, Dr. Kirsten “Kicki” Searfus has been serving the Durango community, offering medical expertise that spans from pediatrics to geriatrics.
With a strong academic background, Dr. Searfus completed her undergraduate studies in Physiology at UC Davis, followed by a medical degree from UC San Francisco. Her residency in Family Medicine at the University of Utah preceded a decade-long tenure in academic medicine at UC San Diego. This experience fostered a passion for education that she now applies to patient care.
In 2012, Dr. Searful opened Mountain View Family Healthcare, aligning her practice with a philosophy that prioritizes the doctor-patient relationship over traditional insurance-driven healthcare.
Dr. Searfus pioneered Mountain View TLC, which brings together primary care, nutrition, fitness, and mental health services in one location. Her community involvement also includes roles with the Women’s Resource Center, Durango Chamber of Commerce, Local First Durango, and the Thrive Living Wage Coalition.
Dr. Searfus also has a certification in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine. This additional expertise underscores her commitment to comprehensive, compassionate care across all stages of life.
Services Offered and Pricing
Services
- Preventive and wellness care for all ages
- Health risk assessments
- Women’s health exams and family planning
- Management of orthopedic injuries
- Minor procedures
- School, sports, and employment physicals
- Chronic disease management
- Lifestyle counseling and health coaching
Mountain View Family Healthcare integrates specialists in nutrition, fitness, and behavioral health to offer comprehensive care under one roof.
Membership Plans
Individual Plans
- Adults $80 per month
- Children $30 per month
- Family Plan $180 per month
Business Plans
- Adults $60 per month
- Children $30 per month
- Family Plan $140 per month
Contact Information
- Location 100 Jenkins Ranch Rd, Suite D Durango, CO 81301
- Phone 970-385-1770
- Website www.mountainviewtlc.com
3.) Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic –– Durango, Colorado
Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic, located in Durango, Colorado, is dedicated to delivering personalized healthcare through a direct primary care model.
This approach allows patients of all ages to access comprehensive medical services for a low monthly fee, bypassing traditional health insurance. By removing insurance from the equation, the clinic focuses on fostering a direct and transparent relationship between patients and providers.
Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic believes in making healthcare a collaborative partnership. Their philosophy emphasizes affordable, thoughtful, individualized care free from insurance regulations, which often compromise the quality of time spent with patients.
Meet the Physicians
Dr. Dan Schaefer, MD
Dr. Dan Schaefer has been a board-certified family physician since 2003. Originally from Wisconsin, he completed his medical education at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine in Madison.
He then moved to California to complete his family medicine residency at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Dr. Shaefer relocated to the Four Corners area in 2003, where he has since been providing comprehensive family medical care to patients of all ages. Fluent in medical Spanish, he is dedicated to delivering thoughtful, respectful, and personal healthcare.
In his personal life, he enjoys outdoor adventures with his kids and playing the drums.
He believes the direct primary care model allows for the practice of medicine in a way that aligns closely with his values, focusing on preventive care, holistic treatment, and fostering strong patient-provider relationships.
In Dr. Shaefer’s words:
“The direct primary care model allows us to practice medicine in the way that it should be practiced; thoughtfully, sincerely, respectfully and personally. That certainly takes time, so we dedicate the time by structuring the clinic model and daily schedule intentionally with these priorities in mind.
We are incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to partner with our patients in preventing avoidable health problems, treating illness and disease in a well-informed and holistic manner, and prioritizing wellness and healthy living in practical and realistic ways.
We are deeply honored to have this opportunity and look forward to sharing it with you and your family.”
Karassa Yeomans Schaefer, PA-C
Karassa Yeomans Schaefer is a certified Physician Assistant who brings a deep connection to the Durango/Four Corners region of Colorado.
She completed her undergraduate studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango and earned her PA degree from Pacific University in Oregon in 2002. After her training, she returned to her roots in Mancos, Colorado, where she actively contributed to her family’s cattle ranch.
Karassa offers a full range of family medicine services, including preventative, acute, and chronic care, as well as women’s health.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Kevin Livingston, DO
Dr. Kevin Livingston grew up in the Denver area and studied Cellular Molecular Biology at Fort Lewis College, where he met his wife, Courtney.
He earned his degree from the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in family medicine in Montana, where he developed a focus on rural and sports medicine.
Dr. Livingston is passionate about providing holistic primary care. He enjoys building strong partnerships with patients and using evidence-based medicine to meet the diverse needs of the community.
Dr. Brooke Hastings Cheatham, DO
Dr. Brooke Hastings Cheatham received her Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Oklahoma State University in 2014.
She completed her family medicine residency at OSU in 2017 and relocated to Durango in 2018, drawn by the beauty of the Colorado mountains.
Dr. Brooke has a broad interest in family medicine, with a particular focus on women’s health and pediatrics. She is passionate about educating patients on healthy living, nutrition, and exercise.
When not practicing medicine, she enjoys spending time with her children, hiking, trail running and exploring nature.
Services and Fees
Services Offered
- Superior Access to Your Provider. Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic prioritizes accessibility and convenience for its patients.
- Extended, Relaxed Visit. At Whole Health, appointments are designed to be thorough and unhurried.
- Patients are encouraged to ask questions and engage in detailed discussions about their health. This relaxed approach fosters a deeper understanding and a more personal healthcare experience.
- Same-Day and Next-Day Service Scheduling. Due to the clinic’s structure of limiting the number of patients, providers can offer timely appointments and prioritize patient needs effectively.
- Affordable Labs and Medications. The clinic offers the benefits of direct care costs and transparent pricing. Patients have access to basic laboratory services as part of their membership, with more complex tests available at significantly reduced rates. Additionally, the clinic advocates for cost-effective prescription medication needs.
- Comprehensive Annual Physicals. Each patient receives an annual physical tailored to their specific health needs and goals. This includes a full physical exam and discussions about necessary tests and health screenings to ensure a personalized approach to wellness.
- Minor Labs and Procedures. Whole Health includes a range of minor procedures in their membership fee, such as suturing, cryotherapy, and skin biopsies. Any additional costs for special labs or procedures are clearly communicated to patients beforehand, ensuring transparency.
- Specialist Consultations When specialty care is required, Whole Health works closely with patients to coordinate and consult with specialists, ensuring comprehensive care management.
Through a partnership with Anytime Fitness, Whole Health offers patients reduced gym membership fees, including no enrollment fee, a 25% discount on membership fees, and a 50% discount on key fees.
In-Office Procedures The clinic provides various in-office procedures as part of the membership, including:
- EKG
- Wound repair
- Wart and lesion removal
- Biopsies
- Incision and drainage
- Ear irrigation
- DOT/CDL physicals
Additional procedures may incur minimal costs, which are discussed with patients prior to service.
Membership Fees
- Child (0-19): $18
- Child (without parent membership): $30
- Adult (20-44): $60
- Adult (45-64): $83
- Adult (65+): $99
A one-time enrollment fee of $60 is required for all memberships.
Cost Savings Patients benefit from direct care costs and transparent pricing, including wholesale pharmaceuticals and discounted laboratory services.
Healthcare Business Solutions For small businesses, Whole Health offers an affordable alternative to traditional health insurance. By providing family medical care at a flat monthly rate of $58 per employee, businesses can reduce health insurance premiums by 30-60%, while offering employees personalized and accessible healthcare.
Additional Benefits
Through a partnership with Anytime Fitness, Whole Health offers patients reduced gym membership fees, including no enrollment fee, a 25% discount on membership fees, and a 50% discount on key fees.
Contact Information
For further details or to schedule an appointment, you can reach Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic at:
- Phone: 970-259-1974
- Address: 555 Rivergate Lane, Suite B1-101, Durango, CO 81301
- Website: Whole Health Family Medicine Clinic
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