How many DPC members are needed to support your income target?
Transparent scenarios at three income targets, three membership fees, and two operating-cost assumptions.
Inside the math
The DPC Income Formula
DPC income replacement is a planning calculation that estimates the active paying members required to support a selected owner-income target after an assumed operating-cost rate. The tables use 40% and 50% operating-cost assumptions for comparison; neither is presented as a network average or forecast.
Members Needed = Target Income / (Monthly Fee x 12 x (1 - Operating-Cost Rate))
Select a membership fee, an operating-cost assumption, and a target owner income. Then test whether the resulting member count fits your service model and capacity.
Model $250,000 in Owner Income Before Taxes
| Operating costs | @$100/mo | @$125/mo | @$150/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40% operating costs | 348 members | 278 members | 232 members |
| 50% operating costs | 417 members | 334 members | 278 members |
Model $350,000 in Owner Income Before Taxes
| Operating costs | @$100/mo | @$125/mo | @$150/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40% operating costs | 487 members | 389 members | 325 members |
| 50% operating costs | 584 members | 467 members | 389 members |
Model $450,000 in Owner Income Before Taxes
| Operating costs | @$100/mo | @$125/mo | @$150/mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40% operating costs | 625 members | 500 members | 417 members |
| 50% operating costs | 750 members | 600 members | 500 members |
Worked Scenario: $125/Month with 40% Operating Costs
The example below uses $125/month and a 40% operating-cost assumption. These are transparent model inputs, not network averages. In this scenario:
278
members for $250,000
389
members for $350,000
500
members for $450,000
With 40% of collected membership revenue assigned to modeled operating costs, 60% remains for the selected owner-income target. Taxes, debt principal, owner benefits, and other excluded costs require separate inputs. This is arithmetic, not a take-home forecast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the typical DPC panel size?
AAFP's 2024 DPC data brief reports an average panel of 413 patients. That published average is a reference point, not a capacity target; the appropriate panel depends on scope, access commitments, staffing, and physician workload.
How quickly can I fill a DPC panel?
Enrollment pace varies by market, physician reputation, pricing, acquisition budget, employer access, and execution. Model conservative, expected, and upside scenarios rather than assuming a fixed full-panel date.
What membership fee should I charge?
AAFP's 2024 DPC data brief reports that individual adult fees generally range from $50-$100 per month. Use that as an external reference, then price the actual service scope, access, age bands, costs, and market. The calculator's higher values are test inputs, not recommended prices.
Can employer agreements affect panel growth?
They can add enrolled members when a suitable agreement is signed and employees participate. Model eligible population, expected participation, timing, price, service capacity, and churn; no employer agreement guarantees a member count or faster path to capacity.
How should I model pediatric or family pricing?
Define age bands, dependent eligibility, family caps, included services, and capacity before selecting prices. Do not assume a standard child discount or retention effect without practice-specific data.
Evidence standard
How to read this guidance.
Panel requirements equal the selected annual owner-income target divided by annual collected membership revenue per member after the selected operating-cost rate. Fractional results are rounded up to the next whole member. The arithmetic is deterministic; collections, enrollment pace, capacity, costs, and owner income remain practice-specific.
Reviewed August 28, 2026. Educational planning guidance only. This calculator is not an income forecast or accounting, tax, financial, legal, or medical advice.
Primary references
Review the Model for Your Practice
Bring your pricing, cost, capacity, and income assumptions to a practice consultation. We will identify what still needs validation.