Direct Primary Care (DPC) in White Marsh & Nottingham, MD
Primary Care That Gives You More Time, More Access, and More Personalized Care
Healthcare should feel personal.
At Pure , our Direct Primary Care (DPC) membership gives you a more direct relationship with your physician, without rushed appointments, long waits, or having insurance dictate how much time we can spend together. Led by Charis James, MD, MPH, a board-certified Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine physician, Pure Health provides comprehensive primary and preventive care for adults in Nottingham, White Marsh, Perry Hall, Middle River, and surrounding Baltimore and Harford County communities.
Whether you need help managing a chronic condition, improving your metabolic health, reviewing abnormal labs, or simply want a physician who has time to listen, our goal is to help you take a more proactive approach to your health.
What Is Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care is a membership-based approach to primary care.
Instead of billing insurance for routine primary care visits, you pay a predictable membership fee directly to the practice. This allows us to remove many of the administrative barriers of traditional healthcare and spend more time focusing on you.
The result is a simpler and more personal healthcare experience—with longer appointments, easier access to your physician, and greater continuity of care.
You can still maintain health insurance for emergencies, hospitalizations, specialist care, imaging, and other services outside of your DPC membership.
Primary Care That Looks at the Whole Person
At Pure Health, we don't believe healthcare should only focus on treating disease after it develops.
We look at the bigger picture.
That includes your:
Nutrition • Movement • Sleep • Stress • Weight • Metabolic Health • Hormones • Medications • Family History • Preventive Health
Our goal is not simply to help you feel better today. We want to identify your health risks early and help you build a foundation for better health over the years ahead.
What's Included With Your Pure Health DPC Membership?
Longer, Unhurried Appointments
Your health cannot always be addressed in a 10- or 15-minute appointment. DPC allows more time to discuss your concerns, review your history and labs, and develop a thoughtful plan together.
Same- or Next-Day Appointments
When you're sick or something changes with your health, you shouldn't have to wait weeks to see your primary care physician. Members receive priority access to appointments, often the same or next business day.
Direct Access to Your Care Team
Members have convenient access to the practice for questions and follow-up between visits, reducing unnecessary urgent care visits and helping address concerns earlier.
Preventive Care
We focus on identifying health risks before they become bigger problems.
Your care may include routine physicals, preventive screenings, blood pressure monitoring, metabolic health evaluation, diabetes prevention, cardiovascular risk assessment, and age-appropriate cancer screening recommendations.
Chronic Disease Management
We provide ongoing care for common medical conditions including:
- High blood pressure
- Prediabetes and diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Obesity and insulin resistance
- Thyroid disorders
- Asthma
- Gastrointestinal concerns
- Menopause-related health concerns
- And many other common primary care conditions
Comprehensive Lab Review
A lab result marked "normal" does not always tell the whole story.
We look at your results within the context of your symptoms, medical history, medications, lifestyle, and health goals to identify patterns that may deserve attention.
Metabolic Health & Weight Management
Dr. James is board-certified in Obesity Medicine as well as Family Medicine, allowing us to integrate metabolic health, nutrition, weight management, insulin resistance, and chronic disease prevention into your primary care.
Virtual Care
Many concerns and follow-up visits can be addressed conveniently through telehealth when medically appropriate.
House Calls
Select membership levels include a limited number of house calls each year, providing another option when coming into the office is difficult.
Discounted Labs
Because we work outside of the traditional insurance-based primary care model, members may have access to discounted cash pricing for many commonly ordered laboratory tests.
Why Choose Pure Health?
Care From a Board-Certified Physician
Charis James, MD, MPH is board-certified in both Family Medicine and Obesity Medicine and has more than a decade of experience providing primary care.
After years of practicing in traditional healthcare settings, Dr. James created Pure Health because she wanted to practice medicine differently, with enough time to listen, educate, investigate, and develop meaningful relationships with her patients. Direct Primary Care makes that possible.
At Pure Health, you aren't just another appointment on a crowded schedule. You have a physician who knows your history, understands your goals, and can work with you over time to improve your health.
Who Is Direct Primary Care For?
DPC may be a good fit if you:
- Are tired of feeling rushed during doctor's appointments
- Want easier access to your primary care physician
- Have multiple health concerns you want addressed comprehensively
- Want to be more proactive about preventing diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic conditions
- Have high blood pressure, insulin resistance, prediabetes, obesity, thyroid concerns, or other chronic conditions
- Want more detailed discussions about your laboratory results
- Value nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and lifestyle as part of your medical care
- Have a high-deductible insurance plan
- Are self-employed or own a small business
- Want a long-term relationship with a physician who knows you
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use My HSA for Direct Primary Care?
Beginning January 1, 2026, federal tax law expanded the ability of eligible patients to use Health Savings Account (HSA) funds for qualifying Direct Primary Care membership fees, subject to applicable federal requirements and limits.This can make DPC an especially attractive option for individuals and families using HSA-compatible health plans.Contact us if you'd like more information about using your HSA for your Pure Health membership.
Do I Still Need Health Insurance?
You do not need but it's a good idea. Direct Primary Care is not health insurance. We recommend maintaining appropriate health insurance coverage for expenses outside the scope of your membership, including labs, medications, hospitalization, emergency care, surgery, specialist services, advanced imaging, and other major medical expenses. Many patients pair DPC with a high-deductible health plan, but the best coverage depends on your individual circumstances. Our membership does give you access to discounted labs and medications.
Does Pure Health accept insurance for Direct Primary Care?
Direct Primary Care operates outside of the traditional insurance billing model for covered membership services. You pay your membership directly to Pure Health, allowing us to provide more accessible and personalized primary care without many of the restrictions associated with insurance billing.
Can I join if I already have health insurance?
Yes. Many of our members have health insurance through an employer, Medicare, an individual health plan, or another source. Your DPC membership complements rather than replaces appropriate insurance coverage.
Can I use my insurance for labs, imaging, or specialists?
Yes. When services outside of your membership are needed, insurance can be used according to the terms of your health plan. We can also help identify cash-pay or discounted options when appropriate.
Do you offer telehealth?
Yes. Virtual visits are available to members when clinically appropriate.
Do you offer house calls?
Yes. Pure Health membership levels include a limited number of house calls depending on your membership tier.
Can you help with weight loss?
Yes. Dr. James is board-certified in Obesity Medicine. We can address nutrition, insulin resistance, metabolic health, body composition, lifestyle, and weight as part of your overall healthcare plan. Additional medical weight-management services may be available when appropriate.
Where is Pure Health located?
Pure Health & Wellness is located at 8133 Perry Hall Boulevard, Suite 221, Nottingham, Maryland, conveniently serving patients throughout the White Marsh, Nottingham, Perry Hall, Middle River, Rosedale, Parkville, Kingsville, greater Baltimore County area and Harford County.
Experience Primary Care Differently
You deserve more than a few rushed minutes with your doctor.
At Pure, Direct Primary Care gives us the time and flexibility to understand your health, answer your questions, identify risks early, and create a personalized plan to help you stay healthy.
If you're looking for a Direct Primary Care physician in White Marsh, Nottingham, Perry Hall, or the surrounding Baltimore County area, we'd love to meet you.
Schedule a complimentary meet-and-greet with Dr. James to learn whether Direct Primary Care at Pure Health is right for you.
Direct Primary Care Membership Options
Choose the membership level that best fits your healthcare needs.
Basic Membership
A simple, affordable option for patients who want ongoing primary care, preventive care, extended visits, direct access, and personalized health guidance.
Includes 1 house call per year.
Gold Membership
Enhanced access and additional benefits for patients who want a higher level of personalized support.
Includes up to 3 house calls per year.
Diamond Membership
Our highest level of membership for patients seeking the greatest level of access and convenience.
Includes up to 6 house calls per year.
One-time enrollment fee: $150