In our April Hint Summit X Livestream, Drs. David Cameron and Cassandra Workman shared an honest look at how adding specialty services has expanded their Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice.

Both work side-by-side at Pure Family Medicine in Colorado, each with a clinical focus driven by passion and expertise. Dr. Cameron specializes in metabolic health and longevity, working with patients who are typically overnourished and at risk for conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Dr. Workman treats patients on the other end of the spectrum–individuals with eating disorders who are often metabolically undernourished. 

Despite these differences, one common theme emerged throughout the conversation: adding specialty care to a DPC practice can be both clinically meaningful and financially viable when done thoughtfully.

The Why: Passion Meets Opportunity

For both physicians, expanding into specialty care allows them to lean into their own clinical interests, which aligns with their patients' needs. Dr. Workman’s innovative eating disorder panel (called MEND) was developed after noticing the gap in care faced by many patients struggling with disordered eating patterns. Her work often involves building trust over time, coordinating with therapists and dietitians, and helping patients reconnect with food in a way that restores, not restricts, their health.

Dr. Cameron, on the other hand, found himself increasingly drawn to questions of healthspan and performance. As more patients came to him asking how to avoid the chronic diseases of aging, he began incorporating tools like DEXA scans, VO2 max testing, and continuous glucose monitors to give them actionable data. What started as curiosity became a cornerstone of his clinical offering.

What they both emphasized: specialty care within a DPC model gives you the freedom to build something that reflects your passions and serves your patients’ specific needs, without jumping through insurance hoops.

The How: Starting Small, Scaling Thoughtfully

Neither doctor launched their specialty program with a full roadmap. Instead, they started with a few pilot patients and grew organically. For Dr. Cameron, that meant introducing CGMs and DEXA scans to interested patients and watching how quickly they took ownership of their own progress. In many cases, the data itself served as the coach.

Dr. Workman’s path was less about diagnostics and more about building a safe, nonjudgmental clinical space. With eating disorder care, traditional labs are often misleading or entirely normal. Instead, she focuses on function: How is the patient sleeping? Are they dizzy? Are their periods regular? Can they go out to eat without anxiety? These subtle signals often say more than a lab ever could.

Both providers structure their specialty offerings outside of their standard DPC membership. Patients can add these services for an additional fee or come to the practice specifically for that track. This model allows for sustainability without compromising the time and attention their DPC members receive.

The Tools: Cost-Effective and Patient-Centered

One of the most surprising insights was the affordability of integrating many of these specialty services. Fasting insulin labs can cost as little as $15. A DEXA body composition scan? Around $99. VO2 max testing in their region runs $200–$250. These are all accessible options that can generate both clinical insight and revenue without overwhelming your workflow.

In Dr. Workman’s case, she emphasizes the importance of team-based care. Most of her patients see a dietitian and therapist weekly, while she coordinates care as the primary medical provider. For some, an eating disorder coach may also be helpful, and when specialty care is needed, it’s coordinated through trusted referral networks or offered at a discounted cash rate.

Dr. Cameron takes a more data-driven approach. He uses diagnostic results to help patients co-create a care plan, often handing them the tools and stepping back while they experiment, reflect, and adjust. It’s not about handing down a prescription—it’s about equipping patients to become active participants in their long-term health.

The Result: Better Care, More Fulfillment

If you’re thinking about expanding your practice, a few considerations can help you get started on the right foot:

• Choose a specialty that genuinely interests you. The passion has to be sustainable.
• Start small. Pilot with a few patients. Refine as you go.
• Know the value of your time. If specialty care takes 3-4x the work of a regular visit, price it accordingly.
• Decide early whether it’s an add-on service to your DPC membership or a separate offering.

Adding a specialty isn’t about becoming a one-person care network. It’s about identifying the best opportunities to maximize the care you already provide—on your terms, for your patients.

As Dr. Workman put it, “We’re not just running labs and checking boxes. We’re helping people heal. Sometimes that means going deeper. And that’s the kind of care DPC makes possible.”

Looking Ahead

To learn more, join us in Denver from August 24-27 in partnership with Health Rosetta for the first-ever Hint Summit @ RosettaFest. With a dedicated DPC track and plenty of practice-building sessions, it’s the perfect place to learn how other clinicians are expanding their care models in creative, sustainable ways.

To register or learn more, visit summit.hint.com.