Why don't most DPC practices take Medicare?

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 keeping visits unhurried, making us one of the few DPC practices accessible to Medicare patients in Manatee County.

How do I become a Medicare patient at Meadow Primary Care?

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.

Can You Use Medicare at a Direct Primary Care Practice?

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 unhurried primary care, regardless of how they're insured.

Here's how it works for Medicare patients:

Medicare accepted, billed directly through Medicare
Standard Medicare cost-sharing, with no membership fee
Unhurried visits with Meriem, scheduled as available
No extra paperwork for you, we handle all the billing

Medicare patients are not enrolled in the membership, so member benefits like guaranteed same-day access and direct text are reserved for members. What you do get is a provider who takes her time with you.

What Services Are Covered?

Medicare covers a wide range of primary care services at Meadow, including:

Annual wellness exams and preventive screenings
Chronic disease management (diabetes, hypertension, thyroid, etc.)
Acute care for illness and injuries
Discounted labs and imaging (negotiated rates)
EKGs and basic in-office procedures
Telehealth visits across Florida
Mental health screenings
Medication management

What Does It Cost?

Medicare reimburses us for the care we provide, just like any other primary care practice, and standard Medicare cost-sharing applies, including your Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance where applicable. 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 unhurried primary care at Meadow, the process is simple:

Call or text us at (941) 340-1649
We'll verify your coverage over the phone
Schedule your first appointment, often within the same week
That's it. No enrollment forms. No membership fees.

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 patients, billed directly through Medicare.

At Meadow Primary Care, Medicare patients are billed directly through Medicare. We bill Medicare directly for covered services. Medicare patients get the same unhurried visits with Meriem, scheduled as available, with standard Medicare cost-sharing. Membership benefits like guaranteed same-day access and direct text are reserved for members.

Yes. Meadow Primary Care accepts Medicare patients at our Lakewood Ranch office. Medicare patients are billed directly through Medicare, visit by visit, and scheduled as available.

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.