Direct Primary Care: Changing Health Care for the Better in Lake County, Indiana

Jessica
Jan 29
3 min read

Health care today can feel overwhelming. Short appointments, long waits, surprise bills, and rising insurance costs have left many patients frustrated and underserved. At Jessica Gerner, NP – Direct Primary Care, we believe health care should be simpler, more personal, and centered around you. That belief is at the heart of Direct Primary Care (DPC)—and it’s a model that has the power to positively impact health care in communities like Lake County, Indiana.

What Is Direct Primary Care?

Direct Primary Care is a membership-based model where patients pay a simple monthly fee directly to their primary care provider. This fee covers most primary care needs—without billing insurance for routine visits.

At Jessica Gerner, NP – Direct Primary Care, membership includes:

Comprehensive primary care and preventive services
Longer, unhurried appointments
Same-day or next-day access when available
Chronic disease management
Direct communication with your provider
One set of annual wellness labs and in-house testing
Medications dispensed in-house at deeply discounted rates

By removing insurance from everyday care, DPC allows providers to focus on what truly matters: your health, your goals, and your time.

Why Direct Primary Care Matters

More Time, Better Care

In traditional insurance-based practices, providers often manage thousands of patients and are limited to brief visits. In contrast, DPC practices intentionally keep smaller patient panels. This allows for longer appointments, deeper conversations, and a more complete understanding of each patient’s health story.

When providers have time to listen, care improves—and patients feel seen and heard.

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Health care costs shouldn’t be a mystery. With DPC, patients know exactly what they’re paying each month and what services are included. There are no copays, no surprise bills, and no insurance hoops to jump through.

This predictable pricing is especially helpful for families, individuals with high-deductible insurance plans, and small business owners seeking affordable care options.

A Stronger Focus on Prevention

When cost and access barriers are removed, patients are more likely to seek care early and often. Preventive care—such as wellness visits, routine labs, and chronic condition monitoring—helps catch issues before they become serious and expensive.

DPC supports proactive, relationship-based care rather than reactive, rushed medicine.

The Impact on Lake County, Indiana

Lake County is home to a diverse population with varying access to health insurance. While many residents are insured, thousands remain uninsured or underinsured, and many others carry high-deductible plans that make routine care feel unaffordable.

Local data shows:

A significant portion of working-age adults in Lake County lack health insurance
Many residents delay care due to cost concerns
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension remain prevalent

Direct Primary Care helps bridge these gaps by offering affordable, accessible primary care regardless of insurance status. For patients who feel priced out of traditional care—or discouraged by insurance complexity—DPC provides a practical alternative.

DPC Works Alongside Insurance

It’s important to understand that Direct Primary Care does not replace insurance for emergencies, hospitalizations, or specialty care. Instead, it works alongside insurance.

Many patients pair a DPC membership with:

A high-deductible health plan
Medicare
Medicaid
Catastrophic or employer-based coverage

This combination often leads to better access to care, fewer urgent care or ER visits, and lower overall health care costs.

A Better Health Care Experience Starts Here

At Jessica Gerner, NP – Direct Primary Care, our mission is to restore what health care should be: personal, accessible, and focused on long-term wellness—not insurance rules.

Direct Primary Care isn’t just a different way to pay for health care. It’s a different way to experience it.

If you’re looking for care that prioritizes time, transparency, and a genuine provider-patient relationship, Direct Primary Care may be the right fit for you and your family.