May 20th, 2025 | 4 min. read
How does concierge medicine work? Download our Understanding Concierge Medicine guide to find out.
Tired of rushed doctor visits and endless waits?
Wondering if concierge medicine is really worth the investment?
At PartnerMD, we've helped thousands explore this question over the last 20 years. Concierge medicine promises faster access, more personalized care, and a stronger doctor-patient relationship. But it also comes with costs, and it may not be the right fit for everyone.
In this article, you'll get a clear breakdown of the 5 biggest pros and cons of concierge medicine to help you decide if it's the right choice for your health.
We’ll explore what makes concierge care different, what limitations to watch for, and how to know if it’s a wise investment for you or your family.
Concierge Medicine: Quick Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Longer, unhurried appointments with your doctor | 1. Annual membership fees ($2,000 to $5,000 or higher in luxury practices) |
| 2. Faster access to same-day or next-day appointments | 2. Still requires insurance for other healthcare needs |
| 3. 24/7 direct access to a doctor for urgent concerns | 3. Best value only if you fully engage and let your doctor use the time and access |
| 4. Some practices offer wellness services, coaching, and advanced testing (not standard) | 4. Limited insurance acceptance in some practices |
| 5. Help coordinating care and faster access to specialists | 5. Limited practice availability in some areas |
5 Pros of Concierge Medicine
1. Concierge doctors spend more time with you building trust over transactions.
Concierge doctors typically see 400 to 500 patients instead of 2,000, giving you 30-minute or longer appointments that feel personal, not rushed.
This allows for deeper conversations, preventive care, and a relationship where your doctor knows your story, not just your chart.
Example: Imagine bringing up an unusual family history of autoimmune conditions during your physical.
In a traditional visit, there might not be time to dive into this. In concierge care, your doctor can explore it thoroughly, helping identify risks early and even order proactive screenings.
2. Faster access with no more waiting weeks for appointments
Most concierge practices offer same-day or next-day sick visits and guarantee on-time starts.
No more waiting 26 days or more for an appointment; you get care when you need it.
Example: You're a busy executive who wakes up with flu symptoms the day before a major client presentation.
With concierge medicine, you can be seen, diagnosed, and start treatment the same day without sitting in an urgent care waiting room for hours.
3. 24/7 direct access to a doctor
With concierge medicine, you have direct access to a doctor anytime whether it's late at night, early morning, or the weekend.
This can help avoid unnecessary ER visits and gives you peace of mind, knowing you can speak to a doctor in real-time no matter when a health concern arises. This can deliver true peace of mind in situations like:
- You wake up at 2 a.m. on a Friday feeling chest tightness and aren't sure if it's something serious.
- You develop a painful rash at 7 p.m. on a Thursday right as urgent cares are closing.
- It’s 3 p.m. on a Sunday and you feel flu symptoms setting in.
In any of these cases, concierge care gives you direct, on-call access to a doctor without waiting until Monday morning or guessing whether you should head to the ER.
4. Advanced testing, health coaching and wellness support (in some practices)
Some concierge practices go beyond primary care to offer advanced testing, health coaching, and personalized wellness programs focused on performance and longevity.
These services help patients take a proactive, in-depth approach to their health.
Important: Not all concierge practices offer these services. Some are strictly focused on time and access.
Example: At PartnerMD, members can work with certified health coaches on nutrition, stress, and fitness goals or undergo executive-level health screenings designed to detect early signs of chronic illness.
5. Easier specialist referrals and coordinated care
Concierge doctors often handle specialist referrals for you and coordinate your care across your entire health team.
This saves you time and helps reduce the frustration of navigating the healthcare system on your own.
Example: After being diagnosed with a complex thyroid condition, a concierge doctor can coordinate endocrinologist appointments, send records ahead, and even help schedule your visits ensuring seamless, faster care.
5 Cons of Concierge Medicine
1. Annual membership fees may be a barrier
Most concierge practices charge between $2,000 and $5,000 per year per adult, but in luxury practices in major metro areas, annual fees can climb north of $10,000.
This is an out-of-pocket expense not covered by health insurance.
Example: For a healthy adult who rarely sees the doctor, the fee may feel steep unless they value proactive health planning, advanced testing, or the convenience of immediate access
2. You still need insurance for other healthcare needs
Concierge medicine does not replace health insurance.
Many concierge practices, including PartnerMD, still accept health insurance for covered services like labs, imaging, prescriptions, and hospital care, and it often works just like it would at a traditional practice.
Important: The membership fee itself is separate, out-of-pocket, and not reimbursed by insurance.
Example: You see your concierge doctor for your annual physical, which is billed to your insurance just like at a regular practice. But the membership fee you pay is for the added time, access, and services that insurance doesn't cover.
3. Best value only if you fully engage and let your doctor use the time and access
Concierge medicine works best for people who want to build an open, honest relationship with their doctor.
It’s not just about how often you go to the doctor; it’s about how much you use the time and access for meaningful conversations, comprehensive prevention, and letting your doctor be part of your health journey.
Example: If you avoid going to the doctor or aren’t willing to openly discuss both the minor and major concerns, concierge care may not feel worth the investment.
The value comes when you lean into the relationship using the time and access to get ahead of potential issues, not just reacting when things go wrong.
4. Insurance coverage may be more limited in some practices
Some concierge practices don’t accept Medicare, Tricare, or certain insurance carriers.
Always confirm what plans your practice accepts before signing up.
Example: If you're a retiree on Medicare, make sure the concierge practice works with your plan otherwise, you may face higher out-of-pocket costs for services outside the membership fee.
5. Fewer options depending on location
While growing, concierge practices aren’t everywhere. Some areas have limited options or waitlists.
Example: In larger metro areas, you might have several concierge practices to compare. But in rural or suburban regions, there may be only one option or none at all
Is Concierge Medicine Right for You?
At the end of the day, many of us have struggled with the frustration of rushed visits and feeling overlooked in traditional healthcare.
Now that you understand both the benefits and limitations of concierge medicine, you can make an informed decision about whether it's the right investment for your health.
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