Concierge medicine, also known as (retainer, boutique, membership, retainer medicine) membership medicine, is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer. In exchange for the retainer, doctors agree to provide enhanced care, including commitments to ensure adequate time and availability for each patient.

Concierge medicine, according to commentary in The American Journal of Medicine, the concept first appeared more than 50-years ago; but the number of concierge medical practices has grown significantly in the past 2 decades.

Concierge Medicine vs. Traditional Healthcare

Concierge practices often serve 400 – 600 patients. This is far less than a traditional practice, which may serve 2,000 – 3,000 patients. That means each day, a concierge doctor may see 6 – 8 patients, while a doctor in a traditional practice may see more than 20 patients.

Therefore, doctors in concierge medicine typically have more time to spend with each patient and more time to communicate with patients through phone calls and email.

Proponents of concierge medicine point to the positive effects it can have for both physicians and patients:

For Patients:

For health consumers, some of the benefits of concierge medicine include:

• You have more time with your physician.
• You have increased access to your physician by email or phone.
• You have the ability to schedule same- or next-day appointments when needed.
• Your doctor provides assistance coordinating care with specialists.
• Visit our website for further information on “Benefits”: https://exclusivevipmd.com/what-is-concierge-medicine/.
• Visit our website for further information on “Services”: https://exclusivevipmd.com/clients-patients/.

For Doctors:

For doctors, some of the benefits of concierge medicine include:

• Doctors have the opportunity to spend more time with each patient.
• The practice has less paperwork.
• Doctors earn similar or higher incomes while seeing fewer patients.
• Doctors experience lower stress.
• Visit our website for further information on “Physicians”: https://exclusivevipmd.com/physicians/.

Summary:

Concierge medicine is a model of care in which patients pay an annual fee to a physician’s practice. This allows doctors to limit the number of patients they accept, which in turn can allow them to spend more time with patients. Patients can receive access to same-day or next-day appointments, as well as, expanded availability of doctors after hours.

If you are deciding whether concierge medicine is right for you, remember it is a personal choice. Choosing any physician is a personal decision, and the same is true for whether or not concierge medicine is right for you.

Ultimately, the decision to see a doctor who provides concierge medicine is a personal one. By weighing the pros and cons in the context of your own healthcare needs and preferences, you can determine if a concierge medicine practice is right for you.