If you've been reading about Direct Primary Care and thinking "this sounds amazing, but I have Medicare" — you're not alone. One of the most common questions we get at Meadow Primary Care is whether DPC works with government insurance programs like Medicare.

The short answer? At most DPC practices, no. At Meadow Primary Care, yes.

Why Most DPC Practices Don't Accept Medicare

The entire point of Direct Primary Care is to remove insurance companies from the equation. Most DPC practices operate on a cash-pay model — patients pay a monthly membership fee, and the practice doesn't bill insurance at all. This keeps overhead low and lets providers focus on care instead of paperwork.

The problem is that this model leaves out millions of Americans who rely on Medicare for their healthcare. Seniors on fixed incomes, families in need, and people with disabilities often can't afford an additional monthly fee on top of what they're already paying into the system.

How Meadow Primary Care Does It Differently

When we founded Meadow Primary Care, we made a deliberate choice: everyone in Manatee County deserves access to the DPC experience, regardless of how they're insured.

Here's how it works for Medicare patients:

You get the exact same care as someone paying $119/month out of pocket. The only difference is who's paying for it.

What Services Are Covered?

Medicare patients at Meadow Primary Care receive all the same services as our self-pay members:

Is This Really Free? What's the Catch?

There's no catch. Medicare reimburses us for the care we provide, just like they reimburse any other primary care practice. The difference is that we've structured our practice to give you more time and better access — something most practices can't do because they're trying to see 25+ patients a day to make the math work.

By keeping our patient panel small and combining DPC memberships with insurance billing, we've built a model that works for everyone.

How to Get Started

If you have Medicare and want to experience Direct Primary Care at Meadow, the process is simple:

We serve patients at our Lakewood Ranch location at 9030 58th Dr E, Suite 102, Bradenton, FL 34202.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most DPC practices do not accept Medicare because of conflicts between the flat-fee DPC model and Medicare billing rules. Meadow Primary Care in Manatee County is an exception — we accept Medicare directly with $0 membership fee for Medicare patients.

At Meadow Primary Care, Medicare patients pay $0 in membership fees. We bill Medicare directly for covered services. Patients receive the full DPC experience — same-day appointments, 30+ minute visits, and direct text access to Meriem — at no additional cost beyond standard Medicare coverage.

Yes. Meadow Primary Care accepts Medicare patients at both our Lakewood Ranch locations. Medicare patients pay $0 membership and receive the same unhurried, relationship-based care as self-pay members.

At Meadow Primary Care, Medicare covers Annual Wellness Visits, preventive screenings, chronic disease management, sick visits, and telehealth services. Your standard Medicare Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance applies for applicable visits, often covered by Medigap plans.

Most DPC practices opt out of Medicare because the flat-fee DPC model conflicts with Medicare's fee-for-service billing rules. Meadow Primary Care has structured our practice to accept Medicare directly while still providing the full DPC experience — making us one of the few DPC practices accessible to Medicare patients in Manatee County.

Call or text (941) 340-1649. We'll verify your Medicare coverage and schedule your first appointment — often within the same week. No referral needed, no enrollment forms, no membership fee for Medicare patients.

Have Medicare?

Get the full DPC experience at $0. Same-day appointments, 30+ minute visits, and a provider who texts back.

Call (941) 340-1649

Not sure if your plan is accepted? Text us and we'll check for you in under a minute.