Concierge medicine, sometimes called membership medicine, is an alternative to traditional primary care.
Patients pay a membership fee to be a part of the practice. This allows their doctor to see fewer patients, spend more time with each individual, and deliver a much better experience.
You’re probably wondering…ok, so what’s the difference from the traditional primary care we all grew up with? And it’s a good question.
First, it’s important to understand the difference is not in the quality of the doctor.
Within traditional and concierge practices, you’ll find capable doctors who strive to provide the best possible care to their patients.
The big difference is the environment in which the primary care physician practices.
We're big believers in the benefits of concierge medicine. But we also recognize there are some problems with concierge medicine. Here are the biggest drawbacks.
Membership fees can be prohibitive.
There’s no way around this one – the cost of concierge medicine can be prohibitive. The average cost of concierge medicine is usually somewhere between $2,000-$3,500 per year.
Some additional out-of-pocket costs remain (but could be covered by health insurance). Concierge membership is not a complete substitute for health insurance. Your health insurance will still cover some medical expenses but expect similar out-of-pocket costs for specialists, prescriptions, and hospital visits.
Limited insurance cooperation for some.
Most concierge practices do accept insurance from many insurance carriers. That said, some practices accept fewer carriers than a traditional practice might, and many concierge offices aren’t working with Medicare or TRICARE.
Low investment will equal low return.
Concierge medicine makes the most sense for people who want to see their doctors. If you’re not going to use your membership, then you’re letting your investment go to waste.
If you still have questions about concierge medicine, you aren't alone. That's why we put together a comprehensive guide that answers the FAQs we get most often, including:
Simply fill out this brief form, and we'll deliver your guide to understanding concierge medicine straight to your inbox.
If you still have questions about concierge medicine, you aren't alone. That's why we put together a comprehensive guide that answers the FAQs we get most often, including:
Simply fill out this brief form, and we'll deliver your guide to understanding concierge medicine straight to your inbox.
