RESOURCE HUB
Empowering Your Healthcare Decisions
Your quick-reference hub for Aurora Primary Care — explore the true cost of Direct Primary Care, catch up on the latest from Aurora Insights, and find fast answers in our FAQs below.
Understanding the Direct Care Advantage
Compare how Direct Primary Care (DPC) interacts with standard insurance models and health savings accounts.
The DPC + HSA Masterclass
Learn how pairing a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account and DPC saves families 50%+ over equivalent marketplace plans and 10-20% over standard employer plans on their annual healthcare costs while improving care quality.
- IRS Makes DPC Membership Fees Tax-Deductible
- Real-world Cost Comparisons for Maryland & DMV
- How to Pair Insurance with DPC Membership
What If Your Doctor Cost Less Than Your Insurance?
For many Maryland patients, it already does.
"If I'm already paying for insurance, why would I also pay a monthly fee for my doctor?"
Fair question.
Direct Primary Care and health insurance cover two completely different things — and together, they can cost you less than either one alone.
Two layers. Two jobs.
Your DPC Membership
Unlimited visits — no co-pays
Same- or next-day appointments
Chronic disease management
Labs at discounted prices
Direct access to Dr. Malhotra
Virtual & chat support
Your Health Insurance
Specialist visits
Hospital care
Emergency room
Imaging & surgery
Catastrophic coverage
They don't compete. They complete each other.
Your DPC membership fee is now HSA-eligible
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act changed the tax code. Use pre-tax HSA dollars for your Aurora membership — up to $150/mo for individuals.
| Tax bracket | Effective monthly cost after HSA |
|---|---|
| 22% (most common) | ~$58/mo young adult · ~$74/mo adult |
| 24% | ~$57/mo young adult · ~$73/mo adult |
| 32% | ~$54/mo young adult · ~$70/mo adult |
5 visits/year · Labs twice/year · Manages borderline cholesterol & BP
Aurora saves Sarah $360/year vs. her employer plan.
Unlimited visits · Zero co-pays · Labs at a fraction of the cost
2 visits/year · No regular doctor · Uses urgent care when sick
Marketplace Silver
$345
/month
$4,650/year
co-pays not included
Aurora + Bronze HDHP
$330
/month
$3,795/year
all primary care included
Plus a doctor who actually knows him.
2 parents (47) · 23-year-old · 18-year-old · Mr. Kapur manages diabetes
$1,210
saved vs. Standard Employer Plan
$1,385
annual lab savings across all 4 members
$630
saved on Mr. Kapur's diabetes monitoring
Aurora TogetherCare — $300/month for the family
Families managing chronic conditions see the largest savings from Aurora's deeply discounted lab pricing.
Aurora Lab Pricing
60–85%
less than standard insurance billing rates for the same tests
Rates reflect current DPC lab partner agreements and are subject to change.
The HDHP deductible is real. Here's how to think about it.
In a typical year
Aurora covers all your primary care. You rarely trigger the deductible for everyday needs.
If something major happens
A hospitalization or surgery — you may pay more than with a standard plan. That's real, and worth knowing.
The long-term trade
Sarah saves $360/year with Aurora + HDHP. After three years, those savings offset a significant portion of a deductible event.
Find your scenario
Employed, freelance, or family? The right financial case for Aurora looks different depending on where you start.
Add up last year's actual spend
Premiums + co-pays + urgent care + labs. Most patients are surprised by the total.
Compare against the Aurora model
For most patients who see their doctor more than twice a year, the math shifts clearly in favor of DPC.
Bring your questions to a Meet & Greet
No commitment. Dr. Malhotra will walk through your specific situation with you.
Schedule a Free Meet & Greet
No commitment. No paperwork. No pressure.
A real conversation about your health, your coverage, and whether Aurora is right for you.
auroraprimarycare.com
AURORA INSIGHTS
Clinical Perspectives
WELLNESSHow continuous care through DPC allows for deeper metabolic screening and personalized lifestyle interventions that standard models miss.
The five questions patients ask most before joining Aurora's Direct Primary Care practice.
How your stress response and sleep feed each other — and the habits that actually help break the cycle.
Stay Connected to Your Health
WHY SUBSCRIBE?
Wellness & Insights
Stay Healthy. Stay Informed. Monthly.
Common Inquiries
Does Aurora Primary Care replace my insurance?+
Aurora Primary Care is not insurance — we are a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice. We do not bill insurance for primary care visits. Instead, your flat monthly membership covers all visits, no co-pays, no surprise bills. We recommend keeping a high-deductible or catastrophic plan for specialist care, hospitalizations, and emergencies. Many members find they spend less overall by pairing DPC with a lower-premium plan.
Can I use my HSA/FSA for membership fees?+
Yes. Since January 1, 2026, the OBBBA and IRS Notice 2026-05 made DPC membership fees HSA/FSA-eligible — up to $150/month individual, $300/month family. Use pre-tax HSA/FSA dollars for your Aurora membership; confirm the specifics with your benefits manager or CPA.
What happens if I need a specialist?+
Your Aurora membership is designed to reduce the need for specialist visits through proactive, comprehensive primary care. If you need care beyond what we can provide, we will help guide you to the right specialist. You won't be left to figure it out on your own. We'll recommend an appropriate specialist for your needs and provide any necessary referrals and medical records to help ensure a smooth transition of care. Our goal is to make the process as seamless as possible and to remain your partner throughout your healthcare journey. Even after you've seen the specialist, we'll help you understand their recommendations, coordinate your ongoing care, and make sure all the pieces fit together. Having one physician who knows your whole health story can make a meaningful difference.
Are there any hidden costs or co-pays?+
There are no per visit costs, co-pays, surprise bills, or hidden costs. Your membership covers all primary care visits and in-house procedures, plus allows you access to significantly reduced rates on labs. We work with you to provide options for reduced cost prescriptions and imaging and will explain all costs to you before you proceed.