Introducing Direct Primary Care
A Better Healthcare Experience for Those Without a Primary Care Provider
For many people, primary care works best when it is exactly that: the first place to turn for a health question, a nagging concern, guidance on specialized care for chronic diseases, pediatric care, or routine adult care. But in real life, that kind of relationship is not always easy to find. Schedules are busy, and appointments can be hard to get. For many families, “primary care” ends up meaning urgent care, long waits between visits, or simply putting things off. These are just some of the reasons why your Seattle Fire Fighters Healthcare Trust is offering members a new healthcare option: Direct Primary Care (DPC) coordinated by Hint Connect.
What is Direct Primary Care?
With Direct Primary Care, you choose a dedicated local primary care provider for yourself and your covered family members, then work directly with that practice for a wide range of everyday health needs.
The model makes primary care more accessible and responsive. Instead of feeling like just another patient on a crowded schedule, you have a provider who can get to know you, understand your health history, and help you build a wellness plan that fits your needs.
That makes DPC a strong option for people who have been meaning to find a primary care provider (PCP), families who want a more connected care experience, or members who would like a more convenient first stop for care.
Who is Direct Primary Care for?
Direct Primary Care is likely to be most useful for members and dependents who do not already have a primary care provider relationship they want to maintain. If you already have a long-standing PCP you trust and plan to continue seeing, you may decide this option is not the right fit for you right now. But if you have been without a regular doctor, relying on urgent care, or seeking easier access to primary care for your household, Direct Primary Care is worth a close look.
What are the key benefits of the Direct Primary Care model?
The biggest advantage of the Direct Primary Care model is access. With DCP, members receive unlimited access to in-person and virtual primary care, including wellness visits, pediatric care, chronic disease management, urgent care, point-of-care testing (such as Strep and COVID tests), and more. There are no copays for visits through the DPC membership, removing one of the most common barriers to getting care when you need it.
The program also gives members direct access to their provider. Depending on the practice, that can include phone, text, email, and video communication, making it much easier to ask questions, get guidance, and address concerns without jumping through the usual hoops.
Another major advantage is timeliness. Same-day or next-day appointments are part of the model, along with after-hours availability for urgent issues. For firefighters and family members juggling demanding schedules, that flexibility matters.
Just as important, visits are more substantial. Instead of squeezing everything into a rushed appointment, DCP allows for longer visits when needed. That gives you more time to discuss multiple concerns, preventive care, medications, chronic conditions, and next steps in one setting.
Direct Primary Care also supports a broader, more practical view of care. Services may include preventive visits, wellness coaching, chronic disease support, treatment for common illnesses, mental health screening and navigation, physicals, referrals, health advocacy, and care education. In short, this is not just about having a name on file. It is about providing a real entry point into the healthcare system.
What should I do if I want to learn more or sign up?
Visit the program website to learn more about the SFFHCT Direct Primary Care option, find participating providers in your area, and enroll.
Once you’ve enrolled, you’ll see a link to your local DCP options, where you can choose a doctor for yourself and your dependents. Choosing your provider is an important step: enrollment isn’t complete until you’ve selected your doctor, so be sure to follow the full sequence.
After you select your provider, the clinic will reach out by phone or email to welcome you and help schedule your first appointment. Please schedule your first appointment with your DCP doctor within 90 days of enrolling in the DPC benefit. If you do not, the provider may terminate your connection with their practice.
Going forward, the DPC practice you selected should be your first call when you need care.
A new front door to primary care
Direct Primary Care is not just another health-benefit add-on. For the right members, it can be a better front door to essential care: more direct, more personal, and easier to use.
For Healthcare Trust members and their families seeking a more connected primary care experience, especially those without an existing primary care provider, this new option can make a meaningful difference in the quality of their healthcare. It offers a clearer way to access care, stay connected, and build a relationship with a provider who gets to know you and your family over time.