Concierge Medicine vs. Direct Pay Primary Care vs. VIP Medicine

Frustrated with rushed, impersonal doctor visits? You’re not alone. Many people are seeking alternatives to traditional primary care, where 7-minute appointments and long wait times have become the norm.  

But with so many options available — like concierge medicine, direct pay primary care, and VIP medicine — how do you know which is right for you? 

At PartnerMD, we understand the confusion. As a leading provider of concierge medicine for over 20 years, we frequently get questions from patients who want more personalized and attentive care but aren’t sure where to start.  

That’s why we’re here to break down the key differences between these alternative models of care, helping you make an informed decision that best suits your healthcare needs. 

Traditional primary care: The 7-minute medicine you know

Traditional primary care is likely the model you're familiar with — and possibly frustrated by.

You may be wondering, what’s the difference between a traditional primary care doctor and a concierge doctor?

In this system, doctors often have large patient loads, seeing 20 to 30 patients a day, each for only a few minutes.

The emphasis here is on efficiency rather than personalized care.

While this model has become the norm, it wasn’t always this way. In the past, primary care was more personalized, but today’s high-paced environment often leaves patients feeling like just another number.

If you’re tired of this impersonal experience, it might be time to consider other options. 

Concierge medicine: Personalized care with membership perks

If you’re seeking a more personalized healthcare experience, concierge medicine might be the solution.  

This model drastically reduces the number of patients a doctor sees — typically 400-600 instead of 2,000 or more — allowing for longer, more in-depth visits.  

Concierge medicine practices often emphasize the patient experience, offering services like low wait times and direct access to your physician. 

Patients pay an annual membership fee, usually between $2,000 and $5,000 or more, which covers enhanced access to care. While the focus is on providing attentive and personalized service, it’s important to note that most concierge practices still accept insurance, just like traditional primary care. 

Direct pay primary care: Insurance-free, patient-centered healthcare

Direct pay primary care, sometimes known as direct primary care (DPC), eliminates insurance from the equation altogether.

This model allows doctors to focus entirely on patient care without the administrative burden of insurance coding and billing.

There are a few variations of direct pay models:

• Membership fee-only: Patients pay a flat membership fee that covers extended visits, lab work, and comprehensive care management.
• Payment-for-service only: In this model, patients pay only for the services they use, with no membership fee required.
• Hybrid model: Some practices blend these approaches, charging a membership fee while also offering services at a direct pay rate.

However, for peace of mind, patients might still consider carrying catastrophic insurance for emergencies. 

VIP medicine: Exclusive, high-end healthcare

For those seeking the highest level of personalized care, VIP medicine — also known as luxury medicine — offers a truly exclusive experience.  

In this model, a physician might work with very few patients or even just one individual, providing round-the-clock care and immediate access to specialists. 

The costs are significantly higher, often reaching $10,000 per year or more. VIP medicine often includes perks like private hospital wings and fast-tracked emergency services. While it shares some similarities with concierge medicine, VIP medicine is distinct in its exclusivity and price point. 

Concierge Medicine vs. Direct Pay Primary Care vs. VIP Medicine: Sorting through your options.

You will hear a lot of these terms used interchangeably. Why all the confusion? Well, some practices are cross-category and blur the lines, and the genre’s increase in popularity hasn’t given us much time to agree on universal terms.

But as you look to better understand various models, we recommend asking three questions.

Do you accept insurance? If not, it is almost certainly a direct pay primary care practice.

Do you charge a membership fee? If so, it could be concierge medicine, direct pay, or luxury medicine.

How much is the membership fee? If it’s somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000+  it’s concierge medicine or direct pay. If it’s close to $10,000 or more, you’re looking at luxury medicine. 

Ready to learn more about concierge medicine? Download our free guide to Understanding Concierge Medicine today.