This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you enroll through my link, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
I recently watched a video from Dr. Elisabeth Potter, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, and it really struck a chord with me.
If you haven’t come across her before, Dr. Potter has become well-known over the past few months for being outspoken about how insurance companies operate—especially the way they deny medically necessary care. She’s even said she’s being punished by a major insurer for speaking out. Instead of staying quiet, she’s gone public to show what healthcare in the U.S. really looks like behind the scenes for medical providers.
That’s why I want to share how alternatives like Direct Primary Care and health shares may give families more affordable, transparent options for healthcare in 2025.
Here’s my full video response if you’d rather watch than read:
What Dr. Potter Got Right About Insurance
In one of her viral clips, Dr. Potter made a point that many families feel but don’t always say out loud:
“With insurance companies, profits are down and they’re saying premiums are going to go up… they’re about to ask Americans to pay more for a product that hasn’t been meeting their needs.”
And she’s right. Families are already paying thousands every year for insurance, yet they’re still running into claim denials, restricted networks, and surprise bills.
She continued:
“Throwing good money after bad is usually not a good idea. Once we realize that we’re getting a lot of denials and insurance companies are controlling care and controlling access—is that really a system that we want to feed more money?”
This is the frustration so many of us feel. Why keep paying more into a system that isn’t working?
Thinking Differently About Healthcare
Dr. Potter suggested something bold:
“What I want you to think about is whether you could get a catastrophic policy and then get the rest of your healthcare in the open market—self-pay, direct care. There are a lot of options to do that.”
That’s where I want to pick up—because she’s absolutely right. There are smarter ways to structure your healthcare. And two of the best options I’ve found are:
- Direct Primary Care (DPC)
- Health shares
Let’s break them down.
Direct Primary Care (DPC): Membership With Your Doctor
Direct Primary Care is exactly what it sounds like—a membership you have directly with your local doctor.
Instead of swiping an insurance card at every visit, you pay a flat monthly fee, and that membership covers most of your everyday healthcare needs:
- Check-ups
- Sick visits
- Preventive care
- Basic labs
The biggest difference is that there’s no middleman telling your doctor what they can or can’t do.
Another huge perk? Access. Many DPC doctors offer same-day appointments, longer visits, and even give you their cell number for quick questions. It’s the opposite of waiting weeks for a rushed appointment.
Health Shares: A Non-Profit Community Approach to Big Medical Bills
The second piece is health shares.
Health shares are not insurance. Instead, they’re communities of people who agree to help each other with large, unexpected medical expenses.
Here’s the basic idea:
- Everyone contributes a set monthly amount
- When someone has a big medical event—like surgery, an accident, or a cancer diagnosis—the community helps share the cost
The difference from insurance is huge:
- No narrow networks—you choose your providers
- Monthly contributions are often much lower than traditional insurance premiums
- A focus on sharing big needs instead of micromanaging small ones
How They Work Together
The real magic is when you combine Direct Primary Care + a health share.
- Your DPC membership: Handles the everyday care (check-ups, sick visits, labs, preventive care).
- Your health share: Steps in for the big things (hospital stays, surgeries, major diagnoses).
Together, you get a system that’s often more affordable, transparent, and patient-centered than traditional insurance.
Rethinking Fear Around Being “Uninsured”
Dr. Potter also made a powerful point about fear:
“We’ve been told that being uninsured is like a super scary, dangerous thing. Okay. Well, so is thinking that you have care provided for you and then finding out that it’s not there when you need it. Maybe there’s a difference between being uninsured and unprepared.”
I love that distinction.
Not having insurance doesn’t mean being unprepared. In fact, many families using DPC and health shares feel more prepared—because they know how their system works, they trust their doctor, and they’re not blindsided by hidden fine print.
A Smarter Path Forward
I realize this approach isn’t the right fit for everyone. But if you’re frustrated with rising premiums and shrinking benefits, it’s worth exploring alternatives.
Direct Primary Care combined with a health share can give families a smarter way to handle healthcare—one that’s often more affordable, transparent, and patient-centered.
If you’d like to see which programs stand out, I put together a detailed comparison that breaks down the options and highlights my top pick.
Check out the Best Health Share Plans (and My #1 Pick)
So next time you hear that premiums are going up, don’t just accept it as “the way it is.”
Because for many families, the smarter way forward isn’t paying more into a broken insurance system—it’s rethinking healthcare with Direct Primary Care and a health share. family?
Health shares are not insurance and do not offer insurance coverage. Membership in a health share does not guarantee the payment or reimbursement of medical expenses. Each organization operates under its own membership guidelines, which determine what expenses may be eligible for sharing. This publication is for informational purposes only and is not provided by an insurance company. For state-specific notices and full program details, please visit the respective health share’s official website.
Leave a Reply