CARSON DIRECT PRIMARY CARE
A message for Dr. Carson's patients

I'm starting my own practice, and I'd love for you to come with me.

Carson Direct Primary Care opens in Conway in early February 2027. With a smaller practice and direct access by phone, text, or email, it will feel like having a doctor in the family.

My last day at Baptist Health is December 22, 2026 • Carson DPC opens in early February 2027. Open video separately
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Dr. Michael Carson: Hi everyone, Dr. Carson here. I wanted to take a minute to share some news with you. Over the last 10 years, I've had the privilege of taking care of you and your families here at Baptist Health Family Clinic. I've really enjoyed getting to know you over the years, and I'm grateful for the trust you've placed in me. But I've decided it's time for a new chapter, and my last day at Baptist Health will be December 22nd.

The good news is, I'm not going far. In February, I'll be opening my own practice right here in Conway, called Carson Direct Primary Care. And I'm really excited about what this is going to mean for my patients. Some of you may have heard of Direct Primary Care before, but for those who haven't, let me explain how it works. It's actually a pretty simple idea. Instead of billing your insurance every time you see me, you pay a flat monthly membership fee directly to the practice. That membership covers your primary care with me, without the usual copays or charges for office visits. And no, you don't have to give up your health insurance. You'll still want that for things like hospital stays, surgeries, and specialist care. I just won't be billing insurance for the care I provide in my office.

So, what's the benefit of doing things this way? Well, for starters, it gives me something I've always wanted more of with my patients. Time. Right now, I take care of nearly 3,000 patients. In my new practice, I'll be limiting that number to a smaller patient panel. And that makes a huge difference. It means when you're sick, we'll be able to take care of you that same day. And when you need to be seen, it'll always be with me. It means you'll be able to reach out by phone, text, or email when you have a question. And a lot of the smaller things that come up can be handled with a quick conversation, without you having to take time off work or drive to the office. And when you do need to come in, we won't have to rush through your appointment. We'll have time to sit down, talk things through, and really focus on your health.

You know, I've always tried to practice medicine that way. I like knowing my patients, knowing their history, and being involved in their care. This new model is going to allow me to do that even better. Another benefit, and one that really surprised me when I started looking into all of this, is how much money patients can potentially save on things outside of their regular office visits. For example, I'll be able to keep certain commonly used medications right there in the office. So in many cases, you can leave with your prescription in hand, at a very low cost. We'll also have access to discounted lab testing. And for things like MRIs and other imaging, we'll often be able to help you find much lower cash prices than you might expect. So it's not just about having more time with your doctor. It's about making it easier to get the care you need, without all the hassle, and hopefully saving you some money along the way.

And I know this is probably a new concept for a lot of you, so I've put together a website that explains everything in more detail. You can learn how the practice works, what's included in your membership, how much it costs, and get answers to some of the questions you may have. And because I'm keeping the practice small, I'm going to give my current patients the first opportunity to join.

If you look just below this video, you'll see three options. If you've already decided you'd like to continue seeing me, just click “I'm in.” If you're interested but want to learn more before making a decision, click “I'm interested.” And if you feel like this just isn't the right fit for you, that's completely okay too. You can simply click “This is not for me” (referred to as “No thanks” in the recording). There's absolutely no pressure. I just want everyone to have the information they need to make the decision that's best for them.

And for those of you who decide to stay at Baptist, I want you to know you'll still have some great options for your care. Dr. Meryem Maras-Casey will be joining the clinic, along with Dr. Adam Grant, Leanne Griffin, and Karen Fulgham, who are already there. Whatever you decide, I want you to know how much I appreciate the opportunity I've had to be your doctor. I'm really looking forward to this next chapter, and I hope many of you will come along with me. My goal is pretty simple. To give you more time, better access, and the kind of personal care I believe everyone deserves. Thank you again for trusting me with your health. And I hope to see you soon.

No payment now. Expressing interest is not a commitment. Choose an option below at any time:

Path 1 • Ready to join

I'm in: Send your interest in joining

Thank you! Submitting your name below lets me know you are ready to join Carson Direct Primary Care. This form sends your interest in joining; it is not formal enrollment, payment, or a reserved founding membership yet.

Step 1 • Today

Share your name below

Lets Dr. Carson know you want to join. No payment or card is collected on this form.

Step 2 • Before Opening

Agreement & payment setup

We send your membership agreement and secure payment setup instructions. Completing both reserves one of the 150 founding places ($99/mo, or $75/mo for a spouse; $0 joining fee).

Step 3 • Early Feb 2027

Practice opens in Conway

Your membership and monthly billing begin when the clinic opens in early February 2027, not when your card is entered.

Record your name under “Ready to join”

Please share your name and contact details so we have you on our Ready to Join list.

Please do not include medical history, clinical questions, or credit-card numbers in this form.

How It Works

More time. A healthier you.

Direct primary care is simple: a monthly membership covers your primary care with me, without billing insurance for each included visit. A smaller patient panel gives us more time to focus on you.

Unhurried visits

Time to talk things through, understand what's happening, and plan your care together with a doctor who already knows your history.

Reach me directly

Phone, text, or email when you have a question. Some concerns can be handled remotely without a trip to the office, and same-day sick visits are scheduled in advance when you need to be seen.

After-hours access

You'll have direct access to Dr. Carson by phone, text, or email, including after hours and on weekends for urgent concerns.

One clear membership

No copays or separate charges for included office visits. Outside bloodwork, medications, imaging, and specialty care have separate costs, and we help coordinate affordable options.

Care that feels like having a doctor in the family

When you have a question about a new symptom, need a same-day sick appointment scheduled, or want to talk through a treatment plan without watching the clock, you reach out directly to me. Every office visit is with me, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with direct phone, text, and email access after hours for urgent concerns.

Simple, Transparent Rates

Membership pricing

My current patients receive the first opportunity to join. Membership and monthly billing start when the practice opens in early February 2027.

First 150 Individual Members

Founding Membership Offer

$99/month per individual
  • Founding spouse rate: Your spouse pays $75/month, making a founding couple $174/month total.
  • How spots are counted: A founding couple uses two of the 150 individual founding places.
  • No joining fee: $0 joining fee for founding members.
  • Rate continuity: Your founding rate stays locked in while you remain continuously enrolled.
  • How a founding spot is reserved: Reserved after your membership agreement is completed and payment information is securely provided, while places remain.
After the 150 Founding Places Fill

Standard Membership Rates

  • Adults ages 18 to 64: $120/month
  • Adults ages 65 and older: $140/month
  • One-time standard joining fee: $99 per household (not per person)

Standard-rate couples: Married or domestic partners sharing a household receive a 15% discount off the lower-priced standard membership (for example, $102/month for a second spouse age 18 to 64, or $222/month total). The founding spouse rate and standard couple discount do not stack. If a founding member's spouse joins later after the 150 founding places are full, the joining spouse receives the 15% couple discount off their standard age rate with no additional household joining fee. If one spouse cancels, the remaining member continues at their individual rate.

Month-to-month flexibility: Membership is month-to-month with no long-term contract and 30 days' written cancellation notice. If you cancel and later choose to return, a $250 re-enrollment fee per household applies (consistent with the per-household joining fee), and returning members enroll at the standard rates in effect when they rejoin.

Do I Still Need Health Insurance?

Yes, keep it. The two work together.

Direct Primary Care is not health insurance, and it does not replace the protection you need for major medical events.

What your Carson DPC membership covers

Your flat monthly membership covers your primary care office visits, annual physicals, approved in-office tests, basic procedures, and direct communication with me. We never bill your insurance for the care we provide inside our clinic, and you never pay an office visit copay.

How your insurance helps with outside care

You should keep health insurance for hospital stays, surgeries, emergency room care, specialist visits, outside imaging, and prescriptions. When you need outside bloodwork, medications, or referrals, your insurance plan can still be used according to your plan's coverage, network rules, and deductible.

Scope of Care & Transparency

Included services and separate costs

Clear about what is included

Knowing ahead of time what is covered by your membership and what carries a separate charge helps you avoid surprises.

Included in your monthly membership

General Medical Care ($0 office visit copay):

  • Annual physicals and preventive-care discussions
  • Acute illnesses and new health concerns
  • Ongoing primary care and chronic-condition management
  • Depression and anxiety care
  • Weight management and lifestyle guidance
  • Medication review and care coordination
  • Injectable testosterone treatment when clinically appropriate
  • Female hormone replacement therapy when clinically appropriate

Included In-Office Tests ($0 extra charge):

  • Strep testing, flu testing, and COVID testing
  • Urine dipstick testing and fingerstick glucose checks
  • Electrocardiograms (EKGs)

Included Basic Office Procedures ($0 extra charge):

  • Stitches for minor cuts
  • Joint injections
  • Skin tag removal

Separate costs & clinical boundaries

Outside Lab Work, Medications & Outside Care (Separate Costs):

  • Outside bloodwork costs extra, including bloodwork ordered at your annual physical. We are arranging discounted cash laboratory pricing and will always explain prices before testing, or the outside lab may bill your insurance (subject to your plan's coverage and deductible).
  • Medications & imaging: Prescription medications (including hormone medications and monitoring labs) and outside imaging are separate expenses. We plan to stock selected commonly used medications in the office at low cost and help you find lower cash prices for imaging when helpful.
  • Outside medical care: Specialist visits, hospital care, surgery, and emergency care are billed separately by those providers.

Services Not Offered in the Clinic:

  • Pap smears and gynecologic exams (note: female hormone replacement therapy remains offered when clinically appropriate)
  • Vaccines administered in the clinic
  • Aesthetic or cosmetic services

Prescribing Restrictions:

  • No chronic opioid pain medication prescribing
  • No benzodiazepine prescribing
  • No stimulant medication prescribing for ADHD

Note: These are specific medication restrictions, not a rejection of patients with anxiety, ADHD, or chronic pain. Depression and anxiety care remain an active part of the practice.

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Straightforward answers about how Carson Direct Primary Care works. You can also view the full FAQ page.

What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?

Direct Primary Care is a membership model where you pay a flat monthly fee directly to the practice instead of having the clinic bill your insurance for primary care visits. Because we keep a smaller patient panel and step away from insurance billing for office visits, we have time for unhurried appointments, same-day sick care scheduled in advance, and direct communication by phone, text, or email.

Why pay a membership if I already have insurance? Do I keep my insurance?

Yes, you should keep your health insurance. Membership covers your primary care in our office with no copays or visit charges, plus direct access to me. Your health insurance works alongside DPC to cover hospital care, surgery, emergency visits, specialists, outside imaging, and prescriptions according to your plan's benefits.

Are annual physicals and annual bloodwork included?

Your annual physical exam and preventive-care visit with me are included in your monthly membership, along with in-office strep, flu, COVID, urine dipstick, fingerstick glucose, and EKG testing. Outside bloodwork costs extra, including bloodwork ordered at your annual physical. We are arranging discounted cash prices with an outside lab and will review costs with you before testing, or the outside lab can bill your insurance.

What are the prices, spouse rates, and joining fees?

For the first 150 individual founding members, membership is $99/month with no joining fee, and that rate stays locked in while continuously enrolled. A founding spouse is $75/month ($174/month total for a founding couple, which uses two of the 150 founding places). After the 150 founding places fill, standard adult rates are $120/month (ages 18 to 64) and $140/month (ages 65+), with a one-time $99 joining fee per household and a 15% discount on the lower-priced membership for standard-rate couples.

What reserves a founding membership, and when does billing begin?

Submitting your name on this website expresses your interest and puts you on our list, but it does not reserve a founding spot or charge you. A founding membership place is reserved after you complete the membership agreement and securely provide payment information, while places remain. Membership and monthly billing begin when the practice opens in early February 2027.

How should I handle prescription refills between December 22 and early February?

My last day at Baptist Health Family Clinic is December 22, 2026, and Carson Direct Primary Care opens in early February 2027. If you take regular maintenance medications, please check your refills before December 22 so we can make sure you have enough medication on hand to carry you comfortably through January until the new clinic opens.

What are the office hours, and how do appointments and after-hours access work?

Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local Conway time. All in-office visits must be scheduled in advance, including same-day sick visits (this is not a walk-in clinic, so please contact us before arriving). As a member, you'll have direct access to Dr. Carson by phone, text, or email, including after hours and on weekends for urgent concerns. Routine questions and refill requests are handled during office hours, and true medical emergencies should go to 911 or the nearest emergency department.

What happens if I choose to stay at Baptist Health?

My last day at Baptist Health Family Clinic is December 22, 2026. If you prefer to stay at Baptist Health, Dr. Meryem Maras-Casey, Dr. Adam Grant, Leanne Griffin, and Karen Fulgham are there in Conway. Please contact the clinic directly to discuss continuing your care, and let me know using the “This is not for me” option above so we can record your decision.

Read all FAQs
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