DirectMed DPC

About DirectMed DPC

What is DirectMed DPC?

DirectMed DPC is a direct primary care practice. Patients pay a monthly membership instead of billing insurance, and the practice is cash pay only. Its physicians are Dr. Katriny Ikbal, who is also the owner, Dr. Shirley Metz, DO, Dr. Beth Just and Dr. Janell Sosa. Dr. Metz has been a family medicine physician since 2003. The practice has offices in Lakeway, San Marcos and New Braunfels, Texas. Its Google listing is as a family practice physician, with a 4.9 rating from 46 reviews.

This is mainly a primary care practice. Weight loss is one of its services, listed alongside direct doctor guidance, nutrition strategies, exercise advice and lifestyle improvements. The practice also lists gender-affirming care, including hormone therapy, and PrEP under its LGBTQ+ care. For weight loss, it says: "For patients who can genuinely benefit from medical weight loss support, our physicians prescribe and manage both branded and compounded GLP-1 medications, including:" The medications it names are semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro).

This listing is for its New Braunfels office at 391 Landa St.

What does it cost?

Membership prices are published. Adults pay $119 a month, couples pay $229 and children pay $69, or $89 when no adults are enrolled with children. In Lakeway, Dr. Metz's membership, which uses a functional medicine approach, is $299 a month for adults, $590 for couples and $149 for children. The clinic also says Dr. Ikbal is mostly at capacity and is taking new patients on a limited basis at $149 a month.

The practice does not publish a price for weight loss medication, and it does not say whether medication is part of any membership. Its weight loss material marks medication as needed and not included, so the drug cost is likely a separate charge. It offers a free meet and greet but does not state a consultation fee. It gives no commitment or cancellation terms for membership. In its own words: "As a direct primary care practice, we are not contracted with any health insurance or third-party payors."

What should you ask before you book?

Ask which of the four physicians prescribes and manages weight loss medication, since the practice does not say, and whether that physician sees patients at the office you would use. Ask whether the monthly membership covers the medication or whether it is billed on top, and what the monthly drug cost would be. Ask whether the medication is branded or compounded, and whether the price differs between the two.

Ask what the first consultation costs, and what follow-up visits and lab work cost. Ask whether telehealth visits are offered and what the office hours are, because neither is listed. Finally, ask how a membership is cancelled and whether there is a minimum term before you pay for the first month.

Who is it a good fit for?

This is a good fit if you want ongoing primary care from a physician you can reach directly, you are ready to pay cash for the membership and any medication, and you live near Lakeway, San Marcos or New Braunfels. It is a weaker fit if you need a clear monthly price for weight loss medication before you commit, since none is published.

Sources: directmed.care, directmed.care/lose-weight-with-a-doctor, directmed.care/about, directmed.care/about/clinic-locations, directmed.care/health-plans-for-businesses

Services Offered

Location