Have you ever called your doctor to get an appointment and they told you it would take a few days? Maybe a few weeks? A recent study showed that the average wait time for a primary care appointment was 18 days. In some areas, patients waited an average of 32 days. This is where concierge healthcare comes in. Concierge healthcare is a model of medical care that allows patients to pay a monthly fee for access to their doctor.
Because concierge doctors care for far fewer patients than a traditional primary care doctor, typically between 400 and 600 compared to 2000 to 3000, they have more time for each patient. In addition, since the COVID-19 pandemic, most offices have adopted telehealth so that you can see your own doctor from the comfort of your home with a smartphone, tablet or computer. If you choose the concierge model, you have the flexibility to create a doctor's office specific to the needs of your community and your own professional goals. Direct care doctors don't accept insurance money, but many concierge offices do.
Concierge services tend to have a higher monthly cost, but that higher price also leads to more time spent providing personalized health care. Finally, concierge services offer more premium services, such as tests and the ability to consult specialists in case of medical problems. Direct primary care has a lower rate and focuses on saving money. Most concierge health care offices continue to accept insurance, but the advance fee is currently a burden for the patient.
We believe that you can have a better healthcare experience if you choose concierge care, but you should understand the fees and limitations of the system. Patients seeking the concierge model of care expect to receive the additional benefits offered by most concierge offices. Patients willing to pay a concierge fee for medical care expect a high level of service in return. Some additional out-of-pocket costs remain (but could be covered through health insurance). Depending on the services you provide as part of the concierge fee and whether you continue to accept insurance, your office may reduce billing and collection costs.
For example, if standard office visits are included in the monthly fee and a patient comes several times a month, the billing department will only send one bill instead of several. Because each doctor's office is unique, it can be difficult to set up a successful concierge healthcare structure. It is important to understand all of the pros and cons before making this decision. Concierge healthcare offers many advantages such as shorter wait times, longer appointments, 24-hour access, premium services, and more personalized care. However, there are also some drawbacks such as higher monthly fees and additional out-of-pocket costs.
