If you're considering concierge medicine, you're likely looking for something better: shorter wait times, more personalized care, and a stronger relationship with your doctor. But even with the best intentions, it's surprisingly easy to choose the wrong practice or misunderstand what you're signing up for.
At PartnerMD, we’ve helped thousands of people transition to concierge care, and we’ve seen the same mistakes come up time and again.
These missteps often lead to frustration, confusion, or wasted money. The good news is that they’re entirely preventable.
Here are the most common mistakes people make when choosing a concierge medicine practice:
Signing a contract without fully understanding it.
Assuming “better access” always means 24/7 access to your physician.
Selecting a practice based only on one doctor.
Not using HSA or FSA benefits strategically.
Misunderstanding the payment structure.
Overlooking the value of included wellness services.
Letting the membership go unused.
In this article, we’ll break each one down so you know what to watch for, what to ask about, and how to make the right decision for your health.
Your membership agreement outlines what you're paying for and what you can expect. It’s not exciting reading, but it’s essential.
Before signing:
Review the contract length. Is it month-to-month, quarterly, or annual?
Understand the termination policy. At PartnerMD, we require only 30 days’ written notice with no extra fees. Others are non-refundable.
Check how the practice handles your insurance and what happens if your coverage changes.
If anything is unclear, ask questions. Transparency up front prevents frustration later.
Understanding what you’re getting into and how to get out will ensure that you have accurate expectations for your partnership right from the beginning.Many concierge practices offer 24/7 access, but that doesn’t always mean you’ll reach your doctor every time.
Ask the practice:
Who responds after hours? Your doctor, another provider in the practice, or a third-party nurse line?
Will the person who responds have access to your medical records?
Know exactly what “24/7 access” means before you sign. At PartnerMD, our physicians rotate call coverage on weekends and holidays, so it may not be your physician, but it will be a PartnerMD physician.
Concierge doctors carry smaller patient loads, which means they’re not always accepting new patients. If your preferred doctor isn’t available, be open to learning about others in the practice.
Consider:
Communication style and values
Gender preference, if important to you
You might find that the best fit isn’t who you originally had in mind.
Membership fees are usually not reimbursable through HSA or FSA accounts, but many related expenses are.
That includes:
In-office visit copays
Preventive screenings
Certain lab work and procedures
Build a strategy around your spending accounts so you don’t miss out on tax advantages.
One of the most common points of confusion with concierge medicine is what the membership fee actually covers.
In most cases:
The membership fee pays for enhanced access, longer visits, and personalized services that are not typically covered by insurance.
Medical services such as office visits, lab work, and procedures, are still processed through your health insurance.
That means you may still be responsible for copays, coinsurance, or deductibles, depending on your plan.
This is a key distinction to understand. The membership fee is not a replacement for insurance, and it does not make every medical service free. If you assume otherwise, the billing process may catch you off guard.
Before joining any concierge practice, ask them to clearly explain how billing works. Knowing how your membership and insurance work together will help you avoid frustration later.
Some concierge practices include additional resources to support your long-term health. Others do not. For example, at PartnerMD, your membership includes:
Access to certified health coaches
Personalized wellness plans
If these services are important to you, make sure the practice offers them, and then take advantage of them. They’re often the most valuable and underused part of your membership.
Like a gym membership, concierge care only helps if you use it.
Make it a habit to:
Schedule wellness visits even when you feel fine.
Reach out between visits if you have questions or notice changes in your health.
Talk to your physician or health coach about personal goals.
You made the investment. Now it’s time to benefit from it.
Concierge medicine can be a powerful way to take control of your health, but it works best when you understand how it operates.
By avoiding these seven common mistakes, you’ll be in a better position to choose the right practice and get the most out of your membership.
At PartnerMD, we’re here to help you understand every aspect of your care and guide you through the decision-making process.
Ready to compare your options? Start by exploring what we offer at PartnerMD and see how it stacks up.
Complete this form, and one of our membership experts will reach out to answer your questions.