Direct Primary Care is changing what it means to have a family doctor, and Dr. Dhaval R. Desai is bringing it to our corner of metro Atlanta. In Podcast 316, he told me why he left hospital leadership, how burnout shaped his next chapter, and why personal branding matters even for doctors.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) is a membership model where patients pay an annual fee directly to their doctor instead of billing insurance. Members get unlimited visits, direct access, no copays, and longer appointments. Dr. Dhaval Desai practices DPC at Atlanta Internists, serving Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch the full episode above.
From Spanish Teacher to Hospital Director
Some guests feel like friends the minute they sit down. Dr. Dhaval Desai is one of those people. A self-described “local guy” who grew up when Sandy Springs was still lumped in with Dunwoody, he went to North Springs High and later taught Spanish there before heading off to medical school. That winding journey took him from the sunny St. Martin to clinical rounds in the five boroughs of New York, then to residency in Ohio, and finally back to Atlanta.
For 15 years, Dr. Desai served at St. Joseph’s Hospital. But the very system he was trying to lead was pushing him further from his purpose. Burnout crept in, slowly but steadily, as he found himself spending more time with computer systems and regulations than with patients.
What Is Direct Primary Care?
Dr. Desai now practices Direct Primary Care at Atlanta Internists, taking over for the beloved Dr. James P. Capó, Jr. So how is it different from concierge medicine?
I called it a “private gig,” and I wasn’t wrong. But Direct Primary Care goes further. It is a membership model that removes the insurance middleman. When we recorded, patients paid around $2,400 a year for unlimited visits, direct access, no copays, and longer appointments. Instead of a rushed 10-minute checkup, you get 45 minutes to an hour.
Some concierge models still bill insurance. Direct Primary Care removes that layer completely. As Dr. Desai put it, “I’m not in front of a computer for six hours a day anymore. I’m actually with my patients.”
Atlanta Internists is not a startup or boutique clinic. It’s a long-standing local practice that Dr. Desai is now modernizing with a more personal touch. For patients used to that familiar, neighborhood doctor experience, it’s the best of both worlds, tradition and transformation.
Is Direct Primary Care Only for the Wealthy?
Let’s address the elephant in the exam room. Is this kind of care only for rich folks?
Dr. Desai gets the skepticism. He had it himself before entering the model. But as he explains, DPC can actually make healthcare more accessible for folks with high-deductible plans or no insurance at all. Atlanta Internists even negotiates discounted lab and imaging services for self-pay patients. As Matt points out, $2,400 a year is often less than some deductibles.
So no, it is not just for the country club set. It is for people who want a doctor who knows them and has time to care.
A Memoir Born from Burnout
Dr. Desai didn’t set out to be an author, but COVID had other plans. His memoir, Burning Out on the COVID Front Lines: A Doctor’s Memoir of Fatherhood, Race and Perseverance in the Pandemic, tells the story.
His second child was born just two weeks before the U.S. shut down in March 2020. While his wife (also a physician) juggled a newborn and preschooler at home, Dr. Desai was in the trenches managing a hospital medicine group. There were sleepless nights, mounting fears of bringing the virus home, and a crushing mental load that came to a head six months into the pandemic.
Six months into the pandemic, he hit bottom. What followed was a slow, intentional climb out with therapy, peer support, and the decision to tell his story.
All author proceeds go to the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, which works to reduce the stigma around mental health care for clinicians.
Seen in Full: His Podcast
Of course, it didn’t stop with the book. Dr. Desai now hosts his own podcast, Seen in Full, where he brings that same emotional honesty to interviews with other professionals navigating burnout, career change, and self-discovery. Think: a former radio host, a longtime educator, and even legendary Atlanta anchor Brenda Wood.
It’s not about diagnoses or medical tips. It’s about remembering we’re all human beings first.
Dr. Desai knows that building trust today means being visible. Whether you are selling real estate or better healthcare, connection is key. Find him on Instagram at @doctordesaimd.
Why Direct Primary Care Fits Dunwoody
Our community is full of busy families juggling careers, caregiving, aging parents, and a confusing healthcare system. Having a doctor who has time to guide your care is becoming rare, and Dr. Desai is betting Dunwoody is ready for something better.
As a Dunwoody REALTOR®, I hear newcomers ask, “Who should be my doctor?” all the time. A local Direct Primary Care practice serving Dunwoody, Sandy Springs, and Brookhaven is a great answer for families who want a real relationship with their physician.
My Take: Do the math on your deductible. For some families, Direct Primary Care may cost less and come with a lot more time with your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Direct Primary Care
What is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care is a membership model where patients pay their doctor an annual fee for unlimited visits, direct access, no copays, and longer appointments, without billing insurance.
How is Direct Primary Care different from concierge medicine?
Some concierge practices still bill insurance on top of a fee. Direct Primary Care removes insurance billing entirely.
How much does Direct Primary Care cost at Atlanta Internists?
At the time of this episode, membership was around $2,400 a year. Check with Atlanta Internists for current pricing.
Is Direct Primary Care good for people with high-deductible plans?
It can be. Dr. Desai says DPC can make care more accessible for people with high deductibles or no insurance, and the practice negotiates discounted labs and imaging.
Who is Dr. Dhaval Desai?
Dr. Desai is a physician at Atlanta Internists, author of a COVID-era memoir, and host of the Seen in Full podcast. He grew up locally and attended North Springs High.