The first concierge medicine practice was started in Seattle in 1996. The model has only been around 25 years, so it's not surprising that many people still have questions about concierge medicine.
As a leading concierge medicine practice since 2003, we've been answering these questions from patients for years. And we're more than happy to answer them for you, too. Questions like:
And probably many more.
Keep reading below to find all the answers, or download a free copy of our Understanding Concierge Medicine Guide to read on your own time.
The first concierge medicine practice was started in Seattle in 1996. The model has only been around 25 years, so it's not surprising that many people still have questions about concierge medicine.
As a leading concierge medicine practice since 2003, we've been answering these questions from patients for years. And we're more than happy to answer them for you, too. Questions like:
And probably many more.
Keep reading below to find all the answers, or download a free copy of our Understanding Concierge Medicine Guide to read on your own time.
Concierge medicine is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays a fee, often referred to as a membership fee.
At its heart, concierge medicine is about building a personal relationship between physician and patient — a relationship that keeps the patient’s specific wellness needs in mind along with their likes, dislikes, goals, and dreams.
The membership fee enables this personal relationship to form by allowing doctors to drastically shrink their panel size, usually from 2,300+ patients to somewhere between 400-600 patients.
Concierge medicine goes by many other names, including retainer medicine, membership medicine, subscription-based medicine, and boutique medicine, among others. Hybrid models exist as well.
The most important thing to keep in mind as you evaluate different options is that not all concierge practices are the same. Terms, costs, and benefits vary widely.
What's included in a concierge medicine membership varies from practice to practice. Generally, you'll see some form of these three features:
1. Enhanced access to a primary care physician.
2. Advanced Physicals
3. Wellness
A relationship with a doctor who truly knows you and your goals.
Peace of mind from knowing you'll get the care you need, when you need it.
Convenience from handling the simple matters the way you prefer, whether that's over the phone, via telehealth, or electronically.
A quarterback for your care, streamlining conversations among your various doctors and specialists. Oh, and handling scheduling for your specialist appointments.
Membership fees can be prohibitive for some. No way around that.
Not a solution for all out-of-pocket costs. Expect to have the same out-of-pocket expenses for specialist consultations, prescriptions, and hospital visits that you would expect with a traditional primary care doctor.
While most concierge practices do accept many of the major insurance plans (for treatment, not the medicine fee), there are some practices that accept fewer carriers than a traditional primary care practice. Many practices do not work with Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare. We recommend checking with each practice if you are under one of those plans.
While concierge medicine is gaining popularity, there’s still a chance, depending on where you live, that your nearby options are limited.
Since its launch in 1996, the cost of concierge medicine has come down significantly. Yes, you will continue to hear about the outlier, like the so-called “elite” practice that costs $20,000 or more a year, but we tend to call that VIP medicine or luxury medicine. Most concierge practices cost considerably less.
As a leading concierge medicine practice, our research has shown that annual fees for concierge medicine membership now tend to fall between $2,000 and $5,000 per year.
At PartnerMD, our fees definitely fall in this range. We transparently provide our costs through our online cost calculator.
Most concierge practices work with health insurance the same way a traditional practice would. Here are a few things to know about insurance and concierge medicine.
So be sure to double-check that a concierge office works with your specific carrier. See if they take government plans, like Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare, that you might use now or in the future.
Before we go any further, you’re probably wondering…ok, so what’s the difference from the traditional primary care that we all grew up with? And it’s a good question.
Nearly 20 years have passed since the first concierge medicine practices opened and it’s still not a well-known or understood concept in healthcare.
First, it’s important to understand the difference is not in the doctor. Primary care doctors, regardless of the type of practice, are typically family or internal medicine physicians and can be either medical doctors or doctors of osteopathy.
Within both 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 practice. See the chart below for a comparison of the big differences.
Pretty much everyone who thinks about joining concierge care has something in common: They’re ready to ditch 7-minute medicine. The question is, why now? Why is now the time to make the jump?
Let’s look at the 5 top reasons for joining a concierge practice.
PartnerMD provides membership-based concierge medicine as an alternative to traditional healthcare, which meaningfully improves the lives of members through personalized medical care. Members are empowered to take their health into their own hands through education, accountability, and support.
No matter your specific health goals, the PartnerMD team will help you achieve them. Through a focus on proactive health and education, the PartnerMD team helps you live your fullest, most rewarding life.
PartnerMD members can answer “yes” to every question below. Can you?
Can I always get in to see my physician when I need to?
Does my physician know (and remember) my first name?
When I have an appointment, is my wait time less than five minutes?
Can I contact my physician’s office 24 hours a day and get a quick response?
Does my physician seem calm, relaxed, and unrushed during my appointment?
Do I have access to wellness resources to help me improve my life?
Has my physician taken the time to know me as a person, not just a list of symptoms?
Has my physician helped me identify my health goals and does he/ she actively help me achieve them?
Relationships begin with a conversation. We invite you to visit your local PartnerMD office for a tour, to meet your care team, and to have a conversation with one of our physicians. There’s no cost and no obligation for this visit, and it can be done either virtually or in person.
It’s simply an opportunity to see what we’re all about and what it feels like to have a personal physician who wants to get to know you, not just your symptoms.
Relationships begin with a conversation. We invite you to visit your local PartnerMD office for a tour, to meet your care team, and to have a conversation with one of our physicians. There’s no cost and no obligation for this visit, and it can be done either virtually or in person.
It’s simply an opportunity to see what we’re all about and what it feels like to have a personal physician who wants to get to know you, not just your symptoms.