Dr. Luke Pittman of Valiant Primary Care shares his shift from traditional healthcare to direct primary care. Through a membership-based model, he emphasizes time, autonomy, and meaningful relationships with patients, especially seniors. Discover why this approach is redefining care in a personal, accessible way.
What inspired Dr. Luke Pittman's transition to direct primary care?
Dr. Pittman grew up around medicine, originally aspiring to be a surgeon. But during medical school, he realized that his passion lay in forming relationships with patients - something not typically prioritized in surgery. This realization led him to family medicine, where he could care for patients across all stages of life. A business-minded approach paired with a desire for reform led him to co-found Valiant Primary Care in Indianapolis, built around the direct primary care (DPC) model.
How does direct primary care differ from traditional healthcare?
Unlike fee-for-service models where physicians rely on billing insurance for every visit, DPC operates on a flat membership fee. This eliminates the pressure to rush through appointments, allowing physicians to prioritize care over volume. Patients gain easier access, more face time, and often direct communication with their doctor - including via text or calls.
What does a membership-based model look like in practice?
At Valiant Primary Care, membership includes same-day or next-day appointments, procedures, labs, medications, and even access to the doctor’s personal number. Pricing is family-based, making it more accessible for households. This setup encourages frequent, personalized care and builds long-term relationships.
Why is relationship-building central to Dr. Pittman's philosophy?
Dr. Pittman describes medicine as "the operationalization of love." He believes real care begins with understanding the individual - not just the illness. With more time per patient, he practices shared decision-making and supports patient autonomy. He recalls following up repeatedly on a friend's child's illness and questioned why all patients couldn't receive that level of care. That reflection helped solidify his shift to DPC.
What are the benefits for seniors and their families?
For older adults, time and context are crucial. DPC allows doctors like Dr. Pittman to coordinate care, consider life goals, and guide families through complex decisions. He emphasizes honoring patient agency, even as family dynamics become challenging. The care is holistic, relational, and tailored to each person’s stage of life.
“Medicine is the operationalization of love. Our model isn’t about billing - it’s about being present in people’s lives.”
— Dr. Luke Pittman
Frequently Asked Questions
What is direct primary care?
Direct primary care is a membership-based model where patients pay a flat fee for personalized, unrestricted access to their doctor.
How is DPC different from insurance-based care?
DPC removes the need for insurance billing, allowing more time with patients and greater physician autonomy.
Can seniors benefit from direct primary care?
Yes. Seniors benefit from longer visits, tailored care, and coordinated family conversations within the DPC model.
Kirstin McCarthy
About the Author
Kirstin McCarthy is a seasoned Marketing Specialist at Senior Home Companions, serving the Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Florida regions. She holds a B.A. in Communication and Marketing from Indiana State University. She brings a strong focus on advertising, social media, content creation, and community outreach. Her passion for serving older adults was sparked at a young age through a close bond with my great-grandmother. She spent countless hours visiting her and other family members in senior care facilities, where she witnessed firsthand both the beauty and the challenges of aging. Those early experiences instilled a deep respect for seniors and a calling to help them feel valued, seen, and cared for. At Senior Home Companions, she turns that lifelong passion into purpose—working each day to ensure families experience peace of mind and their loved ones receive the dignity, joy, and compassionate care they deserve.
To further support older adults and their families, she also hosts a podcast featuring local healthcare professionals and community partners. Through meaningful conversations, she shines a light on valuable resources and timely topics to empower, educate, and connect those navigating the aging journey. Follow her on LinkedIn.
