Cassie Smith MD in Oklahoma City: Internal Medicine with Direct Primary Care Pricing

Cassie Smith MD is a solo internal medicine practice in Oklahoma City that operates on a direct primary care model, meaning patients pay a monthly membership fee instead of per-visit copays and insurance billing. For patients seeking predictable costs and longer appointment times with a single physician, it functions as an alternative to traditional fee-for-service internal medicine offices in the metro area.

What the practice actually is

Direct primary care differs fundamentally from conventional insurance-based medicine. Rather than filing claims and managing deductibles, patients enroll in a monthly membership ($50 to $200 per month is typical across DPC practices nationally; verify the current rate with the office). That fee covers unlimited office visits, minor procedures, and extended appointment slots. Smith handles the clinical work herself without delegating to physician assistants or nurse practitioners, which means continuity of care but also depends on her individual schedule. The practice does not bill insurance for routine visits; patients' health insurance remains in force for hospitalizations, specialist referrals, and emergency care.

Services and membership pricing

The practice handles general internal medicine: chronic disease management (hypertension, diabetes, COPD), preventive screenings, acute illness, medication management, and basic procedures like skin biopsies and joint injections. Confirm the exact monthly membership fee and whether it covers lab work, EKGs, and imaging or charges separately for those. Because DPC removes the insurance billing layer, appointment availability typically extends beyond the 10-to-15-minute standard; many DPC practices schedule 30-minute initial visits and 20-minute follow-ups. This model works best for patients willing to trade a higher upfront monthly cost against the elimination of copays and deductibles; a patient with multiple chronic conditions or frequent office visits often breaks even faster than in traditional insurance-based care.

How it compares to other Oklahoma City internal medicine options

Oklahoma City has several large internal medicine groups operating under insurance networks: physicians at OU Health, Integris, and smaller independent practices that accept Medicare, commercial plans, and Medicaid. Those practices typically charge $20 to $50 copays per visit, require insurance verification, and operate on 15-minute appointment cycles. DPC is not cheaper for everyone. A young, healthy patient with an employer plan and low deductible may pay less under traditional insurance. An older patient on Medicare with multiple medications and specialists may find the membership fee offset by avoiding copays and time spent on insurance paperwork. Choose DPC if continuity matters to you and you prefer knowing your out-of-pocket cost in advance; choose a large network practice if you rely on multiple specialists, need same-day appointments regardless of schedule, or if your insurance plan caps out-of-pocket costs very low.

Who suits this practice and who does not

Direct primary care suits patients who stay within one state (interstate care is complicated under DPC), have uncomplicated chronic conditions or good preventive health, and value consistency with the same physician. It does not suit patients who require frequent specialist coordination at multiple institutions (the practice refers out, but you manage the navigation), those needing same-day acute care (schedule according to availability), or those whose insurance subsidizes such a high percentage of visits that they effectively pay nothing per appointment. Medicare patients can use DPC with appropriate documentation but should understand that Medicare does not subsidize the membership.

What the first visit involves

New patients typically spend 30 to 45 minutes on the initial appointment. Bring medical history, current medications, insurance card (for specialist coverage and emergency use), and any recent test results from previous providers. Smith will establish baseline blood pressure, perform a physical exam, review preventive screening needs, and discuss the membership terms. Unlike many insurance-based practices, expect time to talk. Ask about the process for after-hours contact, weekend coverage, and the referral pathway if you need a cardiologist or other specialist.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Verify hours and location with the office directly, as DPC practices often operate a smaller schedule than large clinics (many open 4 to 5 days per week). Confirm whether the practice has on-site parking and whether lab work and EKGs can be done in-house or require a separate visit. DPC is cash-based for the membership but requires a personal health insurance policy for emergencies and specialist care; do not consider DPC if you are uninsured.

Smith's practice reflects the shift toward continuity and predictable cost in primary care, particularly for patients frustrated with the copay-and-referral treadmill.