Our Association
Mission, Vision & Goals
The Montana DPC Association is a physician organization that exists in order to support current and future Montana DPC practices and advance truly patient-centered care both legislatively and in the sphere of public awareness. We provide a forum for current DPC practices to assist each other with information & lessons learned, as well as a clinical resource to discuss patient care. Our guiding principle is that the care of the patient is paramount, and DPC providers with an unwavering focus on that goal will find like-minded professionals here that are ready to help them succeed. We are also a resource for connecting individuals and businesses with direct care practices in their area. Reach out to any of our members via the links on the Members list.
Montana
Direct Patient Care Association
Championing person focused health care based on affordability, accessibility, and direct relationships between patients and providers
The DPC Model
Direct Patient Care (DPC) is a model of care that focuses on removing middle men from medicine, to provide a true healing focused relationship between patients and providers. DPC divorces the finances from the medical care, so that patients are not seen as walking ATM machines. This also allows to create stable and fair pricing that can be contracted at the individual or group level (for employers). This model fosters stronger patient-provider relationships, enhances access to care, and emphasizes preventative health. Ultimately, our goal is to ensure that every Montanan can achieve optimal health outcomes through frequent communication, longer appointments, and a focus on individualized care.
The DPC Advantage
The direct patient care model allows providers to act in the best interest of their patients, keeping in mind both medical and financial needs. DPC providers are committed to patient advocacy and working to help achieve better outcomes through a deeper relationship with their patients. Patients, on the other hand, have direct access to their providers and are empowered to actively engage in their care.
Montana doctors worried about unclear rules before 2018. They wanted to offer Direct Primary Care—a monthly membership model for medical visits without insurance claims—but legal uncertainty held them back.
Two laws changed everything in 2021. Senate Bill 101 stated plainly that DPC isn't insurance. Senate Bill 374 let DPC doctors dispense medications directly from their offices. The governor signed both bills that spring.
These laws cleared the path. More clinics opened across Montana. Families found an affordable way to access their doctor whenever needed. What started as just a few clinics grew rapidly, now serving thousands of Montanans.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) passed in July 2025. It updated tax rules so DPC fees now count as medical care instead of insurance.
Legislative Landscape
What it Means
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Starting January 1, 2026, you can use DPC and still put money into an HSA. The law lets you pay up to $150 per month for yourself or $300 for your family through your HSA. This amount will go up each year to match inflation. Before this change, using DPC meant you couldn't contribute to an HSA at all.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
You can now use FSA money to pay DPC fees without paying taxes on it. The IRS allowed this before, but now it's written into law. Dependent Care FSAs will let you set aside $7,500 in 2026, which helps families cover care costs.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Plans
Bronze and Catastrophic plans from the ACA Marketplace will work with HSAs starting in 2026. This means you can get ACA subsidies, save money with an HSA, and use DPC at the same time. DPC doesn't need to follow ACA rules because it's not insurance.
Board
Dr. Cole Whitmoyer
President
Flex Family Health
Dr. Dan Gragert
Vice President
Bluebird Health
Dr. Robert Wagenaar
Secretary
PearlMed
Dr. Marisa Hoyne
Treasurer
Kalispell Direct Care
