Birmingham Direct Primary Care (DPC), led by Dr. Efe Sahinoglu, M.D., is bringing the many benefits of direct primary care to Birmingham, Alabama residents.
Birmingham Direct Primary Care
Through the membership-based direct primary care model, Birmingham Direct Primary Care provides patients with unlimited visits, substantial discounts on lab tests and medications, and zero copays or deductibles.
More importantly, the direct primary care model fosters a closer, more personal doctor-patient relationship compared to traditional, insurance-based primary care practices—all for a predictable, affordable monthly subscription.
By embracing the direct primary care business model, Dr. Sahinoglu aims to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and responsive to the unique needs of each patient.
Meet Dr. Efe Sahinoglu, M.D.
Dr. Efe Sahinoglu, founded Birmingham Direct Primary Care and holds board certifications in family medicine as well as obesity medicine.
A native of Montgomery, Alabama, he graduated with honors in chemical engineering from Auburn University before pursuing medicine at the UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL. He also completed his family medicine residency at the University of Alabama Family Medicine Residency Program.
After 20 years in Alabama, Dr. Sahinoglu established Birmingham Direct Primary Care in 2018, embracing the direct primary care model to offer personalized, quality healthcare to all his patients.
His practice focuses on understanding patient needs through extended consultations and providing customized care plans.
Dr. Sahinoglu is accessible to his patients for both in-person and telemedicine consultations across Central Alabama.
How Does Direct Primary Care Work?
With direct primary care, doctors don’t take insurance. Instead, they use a subscription system, similar to a gym membership.
Patients pay a set monthly or annual fee to their primary care doctor for access to a broad range of services. For the low monthly fee, members can make as many appointments as they need to make – whether in person or via phone or video – at no extra charge.
And because there are no insurance companies involved, there are no deductibles or copays to worry about. And doctors don’t have to worry about generating a mountain of paperwork to send to insurance carriers to get paid, nor do they have to worry about employing a room full of billing staff to send paperwork back and forth.
As a result, overhead is much lower compared to traditional medical practices.
Doctors can stay in business with a much lower patient load. And they can spend much more time getting to know each patient.
It’s a win-win all around: doctors like it because they get to practice a more rewarding form of medicine in which the patient finally comes first – not the effort to get paid by the insurance companies.
Patients like it because it’s much easier to get facetime with their doctor. It’s routine to be able to get same-day or next day appointments. And doctors can spend as long as needed with the patient to get to the root of any problem.
Benefits of Direct Primary Care
- Personalized Care. Strengthens the doctor-patient relationship for customized care.
- Transparent Costs. Patients know their healthcare expenses up front. There are no surprise medical bills.
- Accessible Services. Offers same-day appointments and telehealth for easier access to care.
- Focus on Prevention. Prioritizes wellness and education for better health outcomes.
Limitations
Direct Primary Care (DPC) has many benefits, but you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:
- Limited Services. DPC covers primary care, including routine visits and chronic condition management. It does not include specialized or hospital care. For complex health issues or emergencies, external healthcare services are necessary.
- No Catastrophic Coverage. DPC does not cover severe medical events. It’s not meant to be a stand-alone solution to all your health needs.
Members should have catastrophic health insurance or a health sharing plan to cover high costs from serious illnesses or accidents, providing financial protection for emergencies outside DPC coverage.
Compare Pricing on the Best Insurance Plans Available
Birmingham Direct Primary Care Services Provided & Cost Breakdown
- Direct Primary Care (DPC): For $99/month, patients receive unrushed, comprehensive primary care services. Children 18 and under are enrolled for $35/month when signed up with their parents/guardians, making healthcare affordable for the whole family.
- Lab Prices for DPC Members: DPC members benefit from significantly reduced lab prices, offering savings of up to 96.10% on tests such as CBC, CMP, Lipid Panel, TSH, and more. This pricing structure makes it easier for patients to manage their health without worrying about high costs.
- Other Wellness Services: Dr. Sahinoglu offers a range of wellness services, including weight loss, men’s health, and botulinum toxin treatments, with prices varying based on the specific service.
Lab Pricing for DPC Members
- CBC: $2.75 (Retail: $30, Savings: 90.80%)
- CMP: $3.25 (Retail: $33.5, Savings: 90.30%)
- Lipid Panel: $3 (Retail: $77, Savings: 96.10%)
- And many more, offering significant savings on essential health screenings and tests
DPC Services for Employers
Birmingham Direct Primary Care (DPC) allows employers to offer DPC benefits for their employees at a significant group discount.
Direct primary care helps employers solve the “affordability gap” problem: often, employees and their family members have to skip needed medical care, or put off seeing the doctor and filling prescriptions because they can’t afford the deductibles and copays in their employer plans.
This leads to higher stress, absenteeism, presenteeism, and increased health insurance utilization in the long run.
This, in turn, leads to higher insurance premiums.
When you offer DPC as an employee benefit, employees don’t need to worry about out-of-pocket costs to see their doctor.
Benefits for Workers
- Personalized Care. Direct, unhurried appointments with a physician.
- Easy Access. Immediate contact with a physician via call, text, email, or video chat.
- Quick Appointments. Availability of same-day or next-day appointments for urgent needs.
- No Copays. Unlimited visits without copays.
- Remote Consultations. Many issues can be resolved without in-person visits, reducing time off work.
- Reduced Costs. Lower prices on medications and lab services.
Benefits to Employers
- Cost Savings. Significant reduction in healthcare spending.
- Transparent Pricing. A single monthly rate without additional fees.
- Healthier Workforce. Fewer absences, higher productivity, and reduced healthcare claims.
- Lower Utilization. Decreased need for emergency and hospital services.
Contact Information
- Email: [email protected].
- Phone: (205) 582-3322.
- Website: https://birminghamdpc.com/
- Address: 921 Oxmoor Rd.,Birmingham, AL 35209
DPC Alternatives in the Greater Birmingham Area
Harmony MD Direct Primary Care
Harmony MD Direct Primary Care, a DPC practice on Green Springs Highway in Birmingham, Alabama, is headed by Dr. Noval Law.
About Dr. Nova Law
Dr. Nova Law’s passion for medicine began in childhood with her family’s gift for using natural remedies.
She received her undergraduate degree from UCLA, then attended medical school at Michigan State University and a residency program at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve.
As a physician, her focus is on Family medicine and alternative medicine.
Her commitment to “old-fashioned” family medicine has led her to perform home visits since 2003, maintaining the classic doctor-patient relationship.
A well-respected figure in the medical community, Dr. Law is known for her comprehensive care, diagnosing complex medical problems, and her dedication to treating the “whole patient.”
Services Offered
Membership at Harmony MD Direct Primary Care includes:
- No copay and unlimited office visits
- Same-day appointments
- Access to sample medications and direct communication with the physician
- A range of services from comprehensive physicals to preventive care, nebulizer treatments, joint and antibiotic injections, and chronic illness management
- In-office testing for various conditions, ensuring prompt and accurate diagnosis
Note: A Harmony MD Direct Primary Care membership does not include chronic pain management, chronic anti-anxiety or ADD/ADHD medication, specialist care, immunizations, pathology fees, lab work, surgical procedures, ER visits, radiological studies, or physical therapy.
You should maintain an additional major medical insurance policy or a quality health sharing plan to help you pay for these additional services.
For personalized help choosing and enrolling in a health plan, make an appointment with an HSA for America Personal Benefits Manager.
Membership Fees
- Single. $99/month, $396/quarter, $1,188/year
- Couple. $189/month, $756/quarter, $2,268/year
- Family (up to 4 members). $378/month, $1,512/quarter, $4,536/year
- *Additional family members. $60.00/mo. (Only for kids >14 years of age)
- *One-time registration fee per household. $99
- *Minimum 3-month commitment
Contact Information
Address: 2721 Green Springs Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35209
Phone: (205) 870-4343
For more information, visit Harmony MD Direct Primary Care.
Compare Pricing on the Best HealthShare Plans Available
Dalton Health Direct Primary Care
Dalton Health Direct Primary Care is the newest addition to the rapidly growing Birmingham, Alabama direct primary care community.
Set to open in May 2024, Dr. Elaine Colby and Dalton Health Direct Primary Care will emphasize a patient-centered model of care based on the principles of unhurried, thoughtful, and consistent care.
About Dr. Elaine Colby
Dr. Elaine Colby is a dedicated family physician who is passionate about improving healthcare quality and delivery.
Although her direct primary care practice is new, Dr. Colby brings a wealth of experience in family and primary care medicine.
After completing her medical degree, she pursued a residency in Family Medicine at the University of Hawaii.
Later, she worked extensively as a civilian healthcare provider at Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, where she was honored with the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service in 2015.
Dr. Colby later continued her practice at the Birmingham VA Medical center, and then at Southview Medical Group, before deciding to launch Dalton Health Direct Primary Care this year.
Services Offered at Dalton Health
- Unlimited Primary Care Access. Members can visit as often as needed without worrying about extra fees.
- Regular Check-Ups. Keep up with health through routine examinations.
- Preventive Care. Services aimed at preventing illnesses before they start.
- Chronic Disease Management. Ongoing support and care for long-term health conditions.
- Simple Monthly Fee. A straightforward payment plan without hidden costs, copays, or insurance paperwork hassle.
Dalton Health Monthly Subscription Plans
Dalton Health has a variety of monthly subscription plans to meet your needs.
- Individual Plan – $150. This plan is intended for individuals seeking access to comprehensive primary care services. Enrollment is available through the “Join” option.
- Student Rate – $75. Dalton Health offers a reduced rate for primary care services to students currently enrolled in college. Students can access this discounted rate by selecting “Join.”
- Household Plan. Discounted rates are available for households that enroll more than one member, including spouses, partners, adult children, siblings, etc. Dalton Health encourages you to inquire for details on discounted family rates.
Join Dalton Health Direct Primary Care
While Dalton Health Direct Primary Care is not yet operating as of this writing, you can pre-register at their website.
The practice is waiving the usual $50 registration fee for those registering in advance.
You will not be billed until the practice actually opens its doors.
Location and Contact Information
- Address: 3125 Independence Drive, Suite 100, Homewood, Alabama 35209
- Contact Email: [email protected]
- Phone: (205) 236-4022
- Website: https://www.daltonhealthdpc.com/
Further Reading: Why a Health Sharing Plan is the Perfect Complement to Your Direct Primary Care Physician | John Oliver on Health Sharing Ministries – What He Got Right, What He Got Wrong | Direct Primary Care – 2025 Patients’ Guide [DPC Explained]
