Concierge
Medicine
What is Concierge Medicine?
Quite simply, it is a patient-first model of healthcare in which patients pay an annual fee in exchange for highly personalized and easily accessible medical services. The common goal of all concierge practices is to eliminate barriers between physician and patient to build a long-term relationship that provides a more comprehensive and proactive approach to total wellness.
But while concierge practices all share a common goal, the specific methods of achieving it – medical philosophy, included services, care delivery styles and methods, payment structure, etc. – vary widely from one practice to the next. Due diligence is needed when comparing concierge practices to best identify which group may best fit your healthcare goals.
Health care as it was intended
From a patient’s perspective, the concierge medical model is the optimal form of health care. The goal of concierge medicine is to enhance the quality of care and heighten the overall patient experience. Concierge care differs from traditional medical practices in that it strives for a stronger patient-to-physician connection while delivering the most comprehensive care experience possible.
It’s modern medicine and technology based in old-school medical philosophy. Back in the days of small-town physicians and house calls, doctors spent more time caring for patients. They took the time to thoroughly understand each patient’s life, as well as every aspect of their health. And isn’t that the kind of relationship each of us wants to have with our doctor?
Here are some common features and benefits:
A better patient experience
A concierge patient usually receives enhanced primary care services, often with added conveniences such as shorter waits, expedited or extended appointments, and more responsive follow-up.
Stronger patient-physician relationships
In most traditional medical practices, one physician may care for thousands of patients. In contrast, concierge physicians typically care for far fewer – commonly 600 or less. So instead of seeing 4-5 patients every hour, concierge physicians usually see only one, which results in more thorough, meaningful doctor patient interactions.
Care management
A single doctor will typically oversee all aspects of each patient’s care and serve as their personal physician, while being supported by other staff. Patients are welcome and sometimes encouraged to have direct and frequent communication with their concierge physician. The patient’s care team may also manage referrals to outside specialists, coordinate care across the healthcare spectrum, and act as the patient’s advocate in other medical scenarios.
Proactive vs. reactive medicine
Easy and convenient access to medical expertise encourages more engagement by the patient. This, in turn, allows concierge physicians to practice robust preventive medicine, rather than simply treating medical issues as they arise. Concierge doctors monitor the health status of their patients through regular communications, which enables them to establish and continually update a personalized health plan. This essentially serves as a road map outlining how the physician and patient will work together to achieve the patient’s optimum health.
Less bureaucracy
Some concierge medical practices submit insurance claims for their patients and others do not. Those that choose not to submit to insurance often cite reasons of saving time and eliminating complexity so they can quickly focus on what each patient needs.
Concierge care at
Priority Physicians
The founders of Priority Physicians operate under a customized concierge model that maximizes convenience and care for our members. Our structure reflects our values and the very reason we entered the medical field – to deliver high-quality, high-touch, individualized medical care to patients who prioritize an investment in their own health. We choose not to submit insurance claims because we prefer doctors and patients making decisions, not insurance companies. Although medical insurance is still used by many third parties we engage with on behalf of our patients (i.e., labs, imaging centers, pharmacies, hospitals, etc.), Priority Physicians does not submit any claims for our own payment from public or private insurance carriers.
Let us introduce you to concierge medicine
We’d like to show you all the benefits of the concierge care model at Priority Physicians so you can decide if it’s right for you and your family.