When Dr. Angela Marchant practiced within the traditional healthcare system as a part-time Family Medicine physician, she had 1300 medically and socially complex patients assigned to her as their Primary Care doctor. Patients often waited for months to get an appointment, rarely could see her for urgent needs, and were left waiting for answers to their medical concerns because of short staffing and an overwhelming burden of work. After a tumultuous postpartum experience, recovering from an emergency cesarean and breastfeeding struggles with her second son, Dr. Angela had little capacity left to face the brokenness of the system.

As an osteopath, she always believed in the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. She was able to beautifully practice osteopathic manual medicine, a form of bodywork which gave rise to many Western bodywork traditions, including chiropractic, craniosacral, and myofascial release. But within the system, she couldn’t get her patients in for the follow-up they needed and deserved. So in January 2024, she opened Tallgrass Osteopathic Family Medicine, offering osteopathic manual medicine one day a week to the Madison community.

Being able to practice in a setting outside of the system revealed to her a creativity she thought she had lost. Moving away from the system where she was paid to see people when they were ill, to a system where she was paid to facilitate prevention, allowed her to practice medicine with a true emphasis on healing. The time this model afforded allowed her to provide her patients the care that they needed addressing all their complaints in an unrushed, compassionate space. Several months later, she left her job within the traditional healthcare system and opened Tallgrass Direct Primary Care.

Direct Primary Care (DPC) is an innovative healthcare model that removes the traditional barriers between patients and physicians by eliminating insurance companies from the equation. Instead, patients pay a monthly membership fee directly to their healthcare provider, ensuring unlimited access and a more personalized healthcare experience. This model is particularly well-suited for the queer community. Building a relationship with your primary care doctor, someone who believes you and is eager to partner with you to find your health, not just disease, is an antidote sorely needed in the queer community. Instead of facing the dysregulation of the cisgender, heteronormative, capitalist healthcare industrial complex, DPC allows folks to be who they are and, without consistently reexplaining themselves or hiding themselves, can be cared for as they are.

1. Personalized & Inclusive Care 

One of the most significant benefits of DPC is the ability to offer personalized care tailored to individual needs. For the queer community, this means care that is not only tailored to their specific health concerns but also delivered in an environment that is inclusive and affirming. DPC allows physicians to spend more time with their patients, fostering a deeper understanding of their unique healthcare needs. This can include specialized care for hormone therapy, mental health support, and sexual health services, all delivered with sensitivity and respect.

2. Enhanced Patient-Provider Relationships 

The DPC model emphasizes strong, trusting relationships between patients and their providers. For members of the queer community, who may have experienced discrimination or misunderstanding in traditional healthcare settings, this can be incredibly valuable. With DPC, patients have direct access to their physician, often via phone, text, or email, leading to better communication and more immediate care. This ongoing, open dialogue ensures that health care is both proactive and responsive to the patient’s lifestyle and identity.

3. Accessibility & Affordability 

DPC can also be more affordable than traditional healthcare models, particularly for those without insurance or with high-deductible plans. By eliminating the overhead costs associated with insurance billing, DPC practices can offer transparent pricing and often lower overall costs. This affordability makes it easier for members of the queer community, who may face economic disparities, to access consistent and comprehensive care without financial strain.

4. Focus on Preventive Care 

Preventive care is a cornerstone of the DPC model, allowing physicians to focus on maintaining health and preventing chronic conditions. This is particularly beneficial for the queer community, which may face increased health risks due to stress, stigma, and lack of access to culturally competent care. By prioritizing prevention and wellness, DPC helps patients manage their health proactively, reducing the risk of complications and improving overall quality of life.

The traditional healthcare system does not serve patients, nor is it sustainable for physicians. The local DPC movement is growing. Dr. Wendy Molaska with Dedicated Family Care in Fitchburg also champions care for underserved communities in the traditional healthcare system. Dr. Giselle Argento Berrío is opening a DPC clinic on the northside of Madison and similarly is passionate about gender-affirming care, support letters for surgery, PrEP, and doxyPEP among other standard primary care offerings for queer communities.

Since opening Tallgrass, Dr. Angela has welcomed many queer families and individuals. A family chose to seek her care because while they love their PCP within the system they were frustrated with needing to consistently correct nursing staff about their child’s preferred pronouns. Another trans patient chose DPC because they “just want to be believed.” Direct Primary Care offers a patient-centered, inclusive, and accessible healthcare option that aligns perfectly with the needs of the queer community. By fostering strong patient-provider relationships, ensuring affordability, and focusing on personalized care, DPC provides a supportive environment where all individuals can thrive.