Concierge Medicine

Concierge medicine is a method of medical practice where patients are members that are treated on demand. As members, patients pay an annual fee for medical care and enhanced services like short or no wait times, 24/7 access to their doctor by phone, and longer office visits.

Concierge medical practices typically don't take insurance co-pays or bill insurance for your visits because all of your care is bundled into your annual fee. You should keep insurance though-just in case you need to have tests outside the concierge's ability or if you are admitted to the hospital.

You may hear concierge medicine called membership medicine or retainer medicine.

What is Concierge Medicine?

You will notice clear differences if you choose a concierge practice. After paying your annual fee, you can receive a variety of healthcare services you just won't get with a traditional provider. Concierge medicine may include:

• 24/7 contact with your doctor by phone, text or email
• In-home visits (when necessary)
• Short or no wait time for an appointment
• Longer office visits (sometimes an hour or more)
• Comfortable offices with a luxury feel (snacks, drinks, electronic entertainment devices)
• In-office lab work, EKG, ultrasound and other diagnostic services
• Assistance with referrals to other specialists and enhanced guidance to prepare you for those visits and much more

Not all concierge medicine programs are the same, and some will offer only a portion of these services.

Benefits of Concierge Medicine

One of the biggest benefits of concierge medicine is practice size. Most physicians or healthcare providers are required to see thousands of patients in a short time and are driven by insurance company reimbursements to make money. Concierge medicine providers see far fewer patients-usually just a few hundred-which allows the provider to spend more time with each patient without worrying about how much insurance will pay.

Concierge Medicine & Insurance

While a concierge medicine provider will be able to offer you a variety of services under your annual membership, there may be times you will need to see a specialist, be admitted to the hospital, or have diagnostic tests like a CT scan or MRI outside of their office. This means you'll need insurance to cover those charges.

Concierge Medicine Cost

Concierge medicine doesn't cost as much as you may think. Each provider will set their own fees, so just know that your membership fees will vary from provider to provider. Rates will vary depending on how many people are joining and there may be reduced rates for families and students.

Many patients find that joining a concierge practice actually saves them money over time. This is especially true if you have high office co-pay.

If you decide concierge medicine is the way you would like to receive medical care, search around your area for a provider. Keep in mind that because these practices see fewer patients, they may not be taking new patients. You may need to add your name to a waiting list until a spot becomes available.

Learn more about how concierge medicine could benefit you. Call us at (813) 333-5593 or Contact Us Online.