You Don't Need to Become a Tech Company
Every DPC physician we work with eventually asks the same question: "Should I be doing telehealth?" The answer is almost always yes—but the follow-up question matters more: "How much telehealth, and how simple can I keep it?"
We've watched practices go two directions. Some physicians try to build elaborate virtual care programs with dedicated platforms, separate scheduling, custom intake forms, and asynchronous messaging queues. Others just give patients their cell phone number and call it telehealth.
The sweet spot is somewhere in between. And it's a lot simpler than you'd think.
What Counts as Telehealth in a DPC Practice?
Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services through electronic communication—video visits, phone calls, and secure messaging—allowing physicians to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients remotely.
In a DPC practice, telehealth looks different from what hospitals and large systems do. You're not billing insurance, so you don't need to worry about telehealth-specific CPT codes or payer requirements. You're providing care to your members, and whether that happens in your office or over a video call is largely up to you and your patient.
The most common telehealth use cases in DPC:
Choosing a Platform: Three Realistic Options
You don't need to evaluate 47 telehealth platforms. Here are the three paths most DPC practices take:
Option 1: Built-in EHR Telehealth
If your EHR already includes telehealth (Elation, Charm, Hint Health), start there. One login, one system, one set of records.
Pros: Integrated with your charting, no extra cost, patients use the same portal
Cons: Video quality varies by EHR, features may be basic
Option 2: Dedicated HIPAA-Compliant Platform
Doxy.me is the most popular standalone option in DPC. It's free for basic use, requires no downloads for patients, and runs in a browser.
Pros: Simple, free tier available, patients click a link and they're in
Cons: Separate from your EHR (you'll document in both places), limited features on free tier
Option 3: Your Phone
Seriously. For many DPC interactions, a phone call or FaceTime works fine. The key is documentation—make sure you're noting the encounter in your EHR, even if it was a 5-minute phone call.
Pros: Zero technology overhead, patients already know how to use it
Cons: No built-in documentation, FaceTime isn't technically HIPAA-compliant (though enforcement risk is low for brief clinical calls)
Our recommendation: Start with your EHR's built-in telehealth. If it doesn't have one or the quality is poor, add Doxy.me. Phone calls are fine for quick follow-ups, but document everything.
HIPAA and Telehealth: What Actually Matters
HIPAA compliance for telehealth comes down to three things:
That's it. You don't need a separate HIPAA policy for telehealth. Your existing HIPAA policies cover electronic communication—just make sure your telehealth platform vendor is listed in your BAA register.
Setting Patient Expectations
The biggest telehealth mistake in DPC isn't technical—it's communication. Patients need to understand:
When to Say "Come In"
Telehealth works for about 30-40% of DPC encounters. But some things require hands-on evaluation:
Being honest about telehealth limitations builds trust. Patients respect a doctor who says, "I can't tell from a video—let's get you in tomorrow" far more than one who guesses.
Start Simple, Expand Later
Here's our advice: launch your practice with your EHR's built-in telehealth and your phone. That covers 90% of virtual care needs for a DPC practice. You can always add a dedicated platform later if demand warrants it.
The goal isn't to become a telehealth company. The goal is to give your members convenient access to the doctor they already trust.
Learn more about choosing the right EHR for your DPC practice or explore our practice management support for help building your technology stack.