As you decide whether concierge medicine is worth it for you and your family, you will likely consider the price tag.
You know what concierge medicine is and you know that you want the more personalized care that concierge physicians offer, but you also want good value for your money.
To make an informed choice, let’s take a deeper look at how concierge rates work and how to find the best value for you based on your unique needs.
Let’s answer the most common question: how much will this cost?
There is quite a range in concierge membership rates, from $1,200 to as high as $10,000 per year.
Some practices allow you to pay monthly or quarterly instead of just one big annual lump sum.
PartnerMD tends to fall on the lower end of this spectrum with an annual rate of $2,500 or $208.33 per month for adults and an annual rate of $1,250 or $104.16 per month for young adults & children (ages 6-25). We have a transparent cost calculator on our website, where you can find out how much your membership might cost.
Along with the membership fee, patients are also responsible for the same clinical care provided in traditional healthcare practice. However, insurance often covers clinical care in the same way it would in a traditional practice.
Your concierge medicine membership cost is based on several factors. These include:
Whatever your membership rate ends up being, there are several ways to manage the membership cost. These include:
Beyond the cost, there are a few more things to consider as you find the right care for your health goals. Do your research now so you can find the right fit for your care.
Most concierge memberships can be paid annually or quarterly. But see if an office allows monthly payments instead of larger lump sums. Check for extra costs tacked on for monthly installments.
As with any contract, it’s smart to read the fine print. Learn when you have to schedule payments and how to stop paying if you want to move on.
Some practices let you out of your contract immediately, while others lock you in through the end of the year or charge a termination fee and no refunds. PartnerMD never locks you into a long-term contract and only requires 30 days written notice.
Plan on a great experience with concierge care but prepare for a change if you need it.
Most concierge practices do accept traditional health insurance, and health insurance at a concierge medicine practice functions the same as it does at a traditional primary care practice. You're responsible for co-pays and deductibles, but the practice bills your insurance to cover the cost of medical expenses. However, double-check that a concierge office works with your specific carrier.
See if they take government plans, such as Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare, that you might use now or in the future. PartnerMD accepts Medicare but not Medicaid or Tricare.
This may sound simple but double-check that the care you’re considering is a concierge practice.
Direct pay care, for example, follows a membership model but doesn’t work with insurance and government plans for ongoing care.
Other models resemble hybrids between concierge and traditional care. Doctors might see a combination of concierge and non-member patients or work in an office where only a fraction of the staff follows a concierge model.
These offices tend to offer reduced membership rates for a limited concierge experience.
As one of your options for concierge care, we’re happy to give an honest explanation of how PartnerMD memberships work.
We take pride in being upfront and honest and being available to answer any questions you have.