Two Direct Primary Care Clinics Opened in Duluth

Local doctors launched new membership-based practices to offer patients alternatives to traditional health insurance.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Healthcare

Two Direct Primary Care Clinics Opened in Duluth

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Amity Creek Primary Care and Palisade Direct Primary Care opened in Duluth in April and September 2026, respectively. These clinics operate on a model where patients pay a flat monthly membership fee for routine care rather than relying on insurance.

Why it matters

Rising health insurance premiums and deductibles are driving patients to seek care that bypasses traditional constraints. This model aims to improve accessibility and lower costs by limiting patient panels and charging fees directly to the individual.

Nationally, 60% of direct primary care memberships are now employer-funded, up significantly from 21% in 2017. With health insurance premiums projected to rise by 15-20% this year, these new Duluth clinics offer an alternative to high-deductible plans.

The players

Dr. Nyasha Spears

She is a co-founder of the Amity Creek Primary Care clinic located in Duluth.

Dr. Kristin Lusian

She is a physician and co-founder of the Amity Creek Primary Care clinic.

Dr. Jay Joseph Allen

He is the founder of Palisade Direct Primary Care who previously worked at Essentia Health-Lakewalk Clinic.

Duluth 1200 Fund

This is a local economic development organization that provided a loan to assist in the startup of Palisade Direct Primary Care.

The details

Providers at the new locations at 1118 E. Superior St. and 5931 E. Superior St. limit patient panels to smaller numbers to ensure more personalized attention. Palisade Direct Primary Care, which received support from the Duluth 1200 Fund, reports that half of its current patients are uninsured.

2017 marked the baseline where 21% of memberships were employer-funded.
April 2026 was when Amity Creek Primary Care opened for patients.
September 2026 saw the opening of Palisade Direct Primary Care.

Market Landscape

The arrival of these two clinics in Duluth follows the national trend of increased adoption of membership-based medicine. This expansion positions these small independent practices as alternatives to larger, traditional health systems.

Patients may see lower out-of-pocket costs for routine services by paying a flat monthly fee instead of traditional insurance premiums. This model specifically benefits those who are uninsured or facing rising deductible costs.

The takeaway

Direct primary care provides a way for individuals to manage recurring medical costs outside of traditional insurance networks. Residents should compare the monthly membership fees against their current deductible expenses to determine if this model fits their health needs.