Question 1

Is Direct Primary Care legal in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Alabama has had a law on the books protecting DPC since 2017. The Alabama Physicians and Dentists Direct Pay Act (SB 94) made Alabama the 22nd state to spell out that DPC sits outside the insurance code. It's also one of the few laws that covers dentists as well as physicians. Read the statute.

Question 2

How much does Direct Primary Care cost in Alabama?

Accepted Answer

Adult DPC memberships in Alabama typically run $55–$139 a month. Family plans usually work out cheaper per person, and kids' memberships cost less than an adult's. Exact pricing varies by practice and what's bundled in, so browse Alabama practices to compare real numbers near you.

Question 3

Is a DPC membership considered insurance under Alabama law?

Accepted Answer

No. Alabama's law says a DPC agreement isn't insurance and isn't regulated as one. No. The Alabama act says flat out that a physician or dentist agreement isn't insurance, can't be treated as one, and isn't subject to the state's insurance laws. That means DPC practices don't need an insurance license to operate.

Question 4

Can an Alabama DPC doctor also bill my insurance for the same services?

Accepted Answer

No. Alabama's DPC law bars double-billing for services already covered by your membership. No. The law defines DPC by the fact that practices charge a flat periodic fee and don't turn around and bill a third party extra for anything already covered under the agreement. Double-billing isn't allowed by design.

Question 5

What must an Alabama DPC agreement include?

Accepted Answer

It must be a written, signed agreement with 30 days' cancellation notice and clear fee disclosures. It has to be written, signed by both sides, cancelable by either party with 30 days' notice, clear about what services are covered, upfront about the fees, and it can't lock you into more than 12 months of prepayment. It also has to prominently disclose that the agreement isn't insurance, that you could still owe ACA penalties if you're uninsured, and that the fees don't count toward any insurance deductible.

Question 6

What happens to prepaid fees if I cancel?

Accepted Answer

You get back whatever portion of your prepaid fees you haven't used yet. You get the unearned portion back. Alabama's law requires practices to refund unearned fees once you terminate, so if you cancel partway through a month or billing period, you're owed money for the part you didn't use.

Question 7

Do I still need health insurance if I join an Alabama DPC practice?

Accepted Answer

Yes. DPC covers everyday primary care, not hospital stays, ER visits, or specialists. Yes. DPC handles the day-to-day stuff, checkups, sick visits, chronic condition management, but it doesn't cover hospital stays, ER visits, specialists, or surgery. Most members pair a DPC membership with a high-deductible health plan for the bigger stuff. Learn how DPC fits into your coverage.

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Alabama DPC laws & FAQ

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Alabama DPC laws & FAQ

Direct Primary Care
Doctors in Alabama