Missouri residents have long been chronically underserved by the medical system –– especially at the primary care level.
110 out of the 114 counties in the Show Me State have a shortage of primary care doctors, according to Dr. Adam Wheeler, founder of Big Tree Medical and one of the outstanding Central Missouri direct primary care providers we profile in this article.
People in wealthy areas tend to have plentiful access to medical care. But in vast swathes of Missouri, people are forced to wait up to three weeks for an appointment with a traditional insurance-based primary care practice.
No wonder ER staff are overwhelmed!
Meanwhile, members of direct primary care practices are routinely able to schedule same-day or next-day appointments, or arrange teleconferences with licensed medical doctors after hours for more urgent concerns – typically at zero additional cost besides their DPC membership!
In this article, you’ll learn about how direct primary care works, its advantages and disadvantages, and get to know three of the very best DPC practices serving the residents of Central Missouri.
About Direct Primary Care
Direct Primary Care is a healthcare approach where patients bypass insurance companies and pay a monthly fee directly to their doctor’s office.
In return, patients get an unlimited number of primary care appointments with their doctor –– as many as it takes to fully deal with their medical situation. There’s no additional deductible to worry about, and no coinsurance or copay percentage.
This can be a great money saver for people with children or with healthcare needs that require ongoing management.
This model was developed to tackle problems like high costs and impersonal care often seen in traditional insurance-based healthcare practices. By cutting out insurance companies, DPC practices can vastly reduce administrative overhead.
This in turn allows doctors to take on fewer patients, spend more time with each appointment, and strengthen the bond between doctors and patients, offering more individualized and accessible care.
Why People Choose DPC
Many prefer DPC because it offers clear pricing, quick access to doctors, and longer appointment times.
Patients can often reach their doctor by phone, text, or email; same-day appointments are common. This model also allows doctors to focus more on keeping patients healthy rather than just treating illnesses.
Top 4 Advantages of DPC
- Lower Overall Costs. Reduced paperwork and no insurance billing often lead to savings for patients.
- Improved Access. Patients typically get appointments quickly and can easily communicate with their doctor.
- More Personal Care. Doctors have time to really understand each patient’s health needs.
- Wide Range of Services. Many DPC practices offer various services as part of the membership, from check-ups to minor procedures.
Top 4 Challenges of DPC
- Not All-Inclusive. DPC doesn’t cover everything, like hospital stays or specialist visits.
- Monthly Fees. Some people might find the regular payments challenging, especially if they rarely see a doctor.
- Insurance Confusion. Patients may still need other coverage, which can be complicated to manage.
- Varied Quality. Like any healthcare option, the quality of DPC practices can differ, so research is important. The good news: We’ve researched and found three of the best DPC doctors and practices in Central Missouri.
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Combine DPC with Health Insurance or Health Sharing
While DPC offers many benefits, it’s wise for patients to consider additional health coverage.
This could be a high-deductible insurance plan or membership in a health sharing community. These options can help cover major medical events or specialist care that DPC doesn’t include, providing a safety net alongside the personalized care of DPC.
Here are the three top DPC practices we’ve identified in Central Missouri.
1.) Cornerstone Family Medicine –– Mexico, Missouri
Cornerstone Family Medicine is a DPC clinic dedicated to providing excellent care to the local community.
Their founder, Dr. Alex Fink, is a native of Mexico, Missouri. Under his leadership, Cornerstone Family Medicine seeks to restore and emphasize a close, personal doctor-patient relationship, which he believes is often lost in traditional healthcare settings.
By adopting the DPC model, Cornerstone Family Medicine offers a more personalized and accessible healthcare experience, and patients are raving about the high quality of care.
Cornerstone retains deep links to the Mexico community. In 2021, when hospitals in Fulton and Mexico closed, Cornerstone stepped up to offer free care for hospital employees for three months.
By adopting the DPC model, Cornerstone Family Medicine offers a more personalized and accessible healthcare experience, and patients are raving about the high quality of care.
Meet Dr. Alex Finck
Dr. Finck chose family medicine because it allows him to provide comprehensive care to patients of all ages, fostering long-term relationships with them and their families.
Alongside his wife, Loren, who is also from Mexico, Missouri, Dr. Finck is passionate about serving the community where they both grew up. The couple is enthusiastic about contributing to the well-being of their neighbors in Mexico and Fulton, Missouri.
Cornerstone Family Medicine Reviews
Cornerstone Family Medicine has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from patients. Here are a just a few:
“I am a new patient but the care I received today was unprecedented! Dr Finck called multiple doctors to not only get me into a specialist quickly but also coordinate the best treatment possible. Also, they managed to significantly decrease my medicine costs. I am so pleased with my choice to go here! Highly recommend. Cannot sing their praises enough.” — Leslie
“Everything about Cornerstone is outstanding. From the level of care, convenience and affordability, I highly recommend them! What a great addition to the Mexico community.” — Lauren
“Our family is extremely happy with our membership with Cornerstone Family Medicine!!!! It is a blessing knowing that our doctor is a phone call or text away, even after hours.” — Melanie
Services and Pricing
Patients pay a flat, affordable monthly fee, which covers various medical services, including:
- Mental health
- Men’s and women’s health
- Dermatology
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Splinting of broken bones
- Suturing
- Skin biopsies
- Cancer screenings
- Joint injections
- Lab draws and interpretation
- In-office medicine dispensing
Membership Pricing
- Children 18 and under: $20/month (requires at least one adult/parent membership)
- Adults 18+: $50/month (3-month minimum)
- Adults 99+: $1/month (3-month minimum)
Contact Information
Mexico, Missouri Location
- Location 809 Medical Park Drive, Suite 101, Mexico, Missouri 65265
- Phone 573-200-6078
Fulton, Missouri Location
- Location 500 Market St, Suite 300, Fulton, Missouri 65251
- Phone 573-200-6073
- For more information, visit the clinic’s website at cornerstonefmclinic.com.
2.) Liberty Family Medicine –– Columbia and Jefferson City, Missouri
Opening its doors in July 2016, Liberty Family Medicine, located in Columbia, Missouri, was the very first Direct Primary Care (DPC) clinic in the area.
In November 2022, they opened their second location in Jefferson City, formerly known as Titan Health DPC.
As a true DPC practice, Liberty Family Medicine operates on a model that forgoes traditional insurance in favor of a direct agreement between the patient and the physician. That means, like most DPC practices, they don’t take insurance at all.
This approach allows for a unique and personalized healthcare experience for all patients of all walks of life without the burden of copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Despite not accepting insurance themselves for services, the clinic still caters to many insured individuals who appreciate the convenience and accessibility of DPC. If you have insurance, you may be able to get reimbursed for lab fees and imaging services, and other services done outside the clinic, subject to deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
But if you’re a Liberty Family Medicine member, there’s no additional charge to see the doctor.
Liberty Family Medicine emphasizes accessibility, Professional medical providers are available via phone, text, email, video, or in-person visits. The clinic also offers after-hours availability for urgent concerns.
Meet Dr. Bridget Gruender
Leading Liberty Family Medicine is Dr. Bridget Gruender, a dedicated family physician with deep roots in Missouri.
She completed her medical education at the University of Missouri in Columbia and furthered her training at the Cox Family Medicine Residency Program in Springfield.
Dr. Gruender chose family medicine because she values building meaningful, long-term relationships with her patients and their families.
She provides care for people of all ages, addressing a wide range of common health issues and performing various minor procedures.
Columbia has become Dr. Gruender’s home, where she lives with her husband, a local native.
Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing at the lake, reading, crafting, baking, and practicing yoga. She also volunteers as a cat foster parent.
Services and Pricing
Full-Service Primary Care
- Primary Care. Full-service care for all ages, including traditional and extended office visits, telemedicine, and various forms of communication (email, text, phone, video call).
- Preventative Care. Wellness exams, well-child checks, well-woman care, sports and work physicals.
- Mental Health. Management of stress, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and more.
- Cancer Screening. Personalized recommendations.
- Pediatric Care. Newborn and pediatric services.
- Preoperative Optimization: Preparation for surgery.
- Skin Checks. Basic skin evaluations.
- Chronic Disease Management. Conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease, asthma, arthritis, osteoporosis, IBS, migraines, erectile dysfunction, thyroid issues, and seasonal allergies.
- Urgent Care. Same or next-day availability for urgent concerns.
- DOT Physicals. Department of Transportation physical exams.
In-Clinic Testing and Procedures
Included at no additional cost:
- EKG, spirometry, rapid strep testing, urine dip testing, urine pregnancy testing, rapid mono testing, non-diagnostic ultrasound, nebulizer treatments, cyst removal, abscess drainage, laceration repair, ingrown toenail removal, ear wax removal, skin lesion/mole removal for biopsy, skin tag removals, endometrial biopsy, IUD insertion and removal.
Available for a discounted fee:
- Joint injections, IV fluids, simple fracture care, generic medications, over-the-counter medications, wart treatment, certain adult vaccines, Ortho Molecular supplements, Skin IO mole mapping, colon cancer stool testing, urine drug testing, Holter monitor, wound care, therapeutic phlebotomy, food sensitivity testing, pap smears, laboratory testing, flu testing, home visits, ultrasounds, cryotherapy, allergy treatment.
Available at another facility for a discounted fee:
- X-ray, ultrasound, CT, EGD, MRI, mammogram, DEXA, colonoscopy, echo, stress test, vasectomy.
Membership Pricing
- Children (0-18): $29/month (with at least one adult membership)
- Adults (19-44): $59/month
- Adults (45+): $79/month
- No initial enrollment fee
- $250 re-enrollment fee
- No long-term contracts
Contact Information
Columbia Clinic
- Address 2614 Forum Blvd., Suite 100, Columbia, Missouri 65203
- Phone (573) 445-5366
Jefferson City Clinic
- Address 3121 Emerald Ln., Suite 800, Jefferson City, Missouri 65109
- Phone (573) 614-7022
- For further questions for further information check out the clinic’s website: https://libertyfamilymed.com/
3.) Big Tree Medical –– Columbia, Boonville, Jefferson City, and Sedalia, Missouri
Big Tree Medical was founded in 2017 by Dr. Adam Wheeler and Jen Wheeler in Columbia, Missouri.
The clinic was created to address a significant problem in the area – a shortage of primary care providers. In fact, 110 out of 114 counties in Missouri lack enough primary care doctors.
The Wheelers saw an opportunity to improve healthcare access using a membership-based model. This approach allows them to offer high-quality care at affordable rates.
By charging a monthly fee instead of billing insurance for each visit, they can spend more time with patients and offer services like same-day appointments and direct communication with doctors.
Since opening in Columbia, Big Tree Medical has grown. They now have clinics in rural parts of Missouri where the need for doctors is even greater. They’ve also set up systems to offer virtual care, which helps reach people who might have trouble getting to a physical clinic.
The founders believe their model can solve some big problems in healthcare. These include long wait times, rushed appointments, and high costs.
By focusing on the doctor-patient relationship and preventive care, they aim to improve health outcomes while keeping costs down for patients.
Meet the Founders
Dr. Adam Wheeler
Dr. Adam Wheeler, co-founder and CEO of Big Tree Medical, is a pediatrician with extensive experience in healthcare management.
After completing his medical training at the University of Missouri, Dr. Wheeler joined Tiger Pediatrics, where he played a vital role in expanding the practice while maintaining quality care.
Under his leadership, Tiger Pediatrics achieved the highest level of recognition by the NCQA as a Patient-Centered Medical Home.
In 2017, Dr. Wheeler founded Big Tree Medical to address the shortage of adult primary care providers. Under his care, the clinic has demonstrated significant success, including a 90% reduction in ER visits and pharmacy spending.
Jen Wheeler
Jen Wheeler, co-founder and Chief Operations Officer of Big Tree Medical, has been instrumental in the clinic’s development and operations.
A graduate of the University of Missouri, Jen shares her husband’s commitment to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. Together, they founded Big Tree Medical after recognizing the need for a membership-based clinic in Columbia.
The name “Big Tree” was inspired by Columbia’s iconic Big Tree, symbolizing their desire to create a joyous and enduring healthcare solution for the community.
Services and Pricing
Services include:
- Primary Care. Comprehensive care for all ages, including wellness exams, chronic disease management, and urgent care.
- Preventative Care. Routine check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations.
- Chronic Disease Management. Personalized care plans for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
- Mental Health Services. Support for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD.
- Telehealth. Virtual appointments for convenience and accessibility.
- In-Clinic Procedures. Minor surgical procedures, diagnostic tests, and treatments
Membership Pricing:
- Children (0-18) $29/month (with at least one adult membership)
- Adults (19-44) $59/month
- Adults (45+) $79/month
- No initial enrollment fee
- $250 re-enrollment fee
- No long-term contracts
Contact Information
Columbia Clinic
- Address 200 Corporate Lake Dr, Columbia, Missouri, 65203
- Email [email protected]
- Phone (573) 814-1170
Boonville Clinic
- Address 2400 Boonslick Dr., Suite A, Boonville, Missouri, 65233
- Email [email protected]
- Phone (573) 814-1170
Jefferson City Clinic
- Address 1850 Southridge Dr, Suite A, Jefferson City, Missouri, 65109
- Email [email protected]
- Phone (573) 814-1170
Sedalia Clinic
- Address 2410 South Limit Ave., Sedalia, Missouri, 65301
- Email [email protected]
- Phone (573) 814-1170
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