Concierge Medicine

[Epigonos]

On another thread it was mentioned how difficult it is to get into to see a doctor nowadays and how short appointments are once one finally does get in. Even then one is frequently shuffled off to a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner.

About five years ago my General Practitioner gave up his regular practice and changed over to a concierge practice. His practice is now limited to a maximum of six hundred patients, patients are guaranteed an appointment within twenty-four hours, appointments are scheduled for a minimum of thirty minutes, patients are given a very complete physical yearly, and all patients have the doctors direct contact number. It’s not cheap. Over and above my regular Medicare and my Anthem Blue Cross gap insurance it cost an additional $1,800.00 a year. After five years I’m convinced it is well worth the money and is the only way to go.

Do any others here have a concierge physician and if so what is your opinion of the system?

Edited July 15, 2019 by Epigonos

[samhexum]

Do any others here have a concierge physician and if so what is your opinion of the system?

https://www.companyofmen.org/threads/finding-a-new-pcp-has-anyone-tried-concierge-medicine.148492/

[+ purplekow]

600 x 1800 is 1.8 million dollars a year. The concierge company usually takes a hefty percentage but it still a lucrative situation for a primary care doctor who has enough patients and rich enough patients to afford that kind of care. For those patients, this is a high end exclusive means to obtain health care.

There are not enough primary care doctors to provide this service for everyone and since most primary care doctors usually have a panel of 2000 to 4000 patients, there is actually a decrease in the physician hours to see patients who do not have this care. This kind of practice is great for the patient's who can afford it and a burden on the system otherwise.

[+ nycman]

Jesus people....it's your health.

 

It’s worth a shit ton more to me than $1,800 per year.

 

I get a top of the line doctor who knows me, cares about me, and spends time with me......

 

Fuck yeah, it’s worth it.

 

The other option?...”the PA can see you in 2 weeks”.....fuck that nonsense!

[+ purplekow]

I’m a big fan of concierge. @purplekow - I don’t view it as a high end means to obtain healthcare. I view it as an indirect tax to get the access I had before aca flooded the system with insured patients without increasing the supply of providers. For my dr, he views it as a way of keeping balance in his life while practicing medicine the way he chooses...

 

So you do not see it as high end means to healthcare but a tax, which by definition it is not as you are obtaining a service for your money, so it is a purchase. I am not against it. I considered doing it myself. Ultimately, I continued to see all comers.

By the way, not all doctors take the ACA insurance, so I am sure you could have found one who did not and thus not be caught up in the "flood" of all THOSE people who previously could not afford health care. Glad you were not drowned in the flood.

No sure why you are not willing to admit you are on the luxury liner while others are out with leaky life preservers.

[+ azdr0710]

many here on the forum are among those who can pay the surcharge and have top medical care......

 

though I'm very definitely no bleeding heart liberal, I don't forget there are many, many millions of US citizens who don't have that option....I volunteer to deliver meals-on-wheels on the poor side of town and you wouldn't believe the stuff I see.......

[+ purplekow]

Jesus people....it's your health.

 

It’s worth a shit ton more to me than $1,800 per year.

 

I get a top of the line doctor who knows me, cares about me, and spends time with me......

 

Fuck yeah, it’s worth it.

 

The other option?...”the PA can see you in 2 weeks”.....fuck that nonsense!

Not everyone has an extra $150 dollars a month per person in the family. At times we need to be reminded of that, especially on this forum where most spend $250 or more regularly for an hour's worth of fun.

Edited July 15, 2019 by purplekow

[+ Autumnal]

many here on the forum are among those who can pay the surcharge and have top medical care......

 

though I'm very definitely no bleeding heart liberal, I don't forget there are many, many millions of US citizens who don't have that option....I volunteer to deliver meals-on-wheels on the poor side of town and you wouldn't believe the stuff I see.......

 

Caring for the sick and downtrodden used to be a core Christian tenet, but now when it comes to health care for all, too many shade their eyes and look to their own pocketbooks.

[LookingAround]

$1800 a year is cheap. At Northwestern the concierge program is $5k a year.

[+ purplekow]

$1800 a year is cheap. At Northwestern the concierge program is $5k a year.

As with almost everything else, supply and demand will fix the price. I have residents leaving NJ to go to NM or Wy to start a practice with the town guaranteeing a 350,000 a year salary with a signing bonus and other perquisites. In NJ, primary care doctors get a lot less, usually about 1/2 that.

[+ tassojunior]

Forward is opening in DC with $100/month fees. But I'm in Kaiser on Medicare Advantage so I don't think I'm eligible. Kaiser is $35/mo.

[+ WilliamM]

So you do not see it as high end means to healthcare but a tax, which by definition it is not as you are obtaining a service for your money, so it is a purchase. I am not against it. I considered doing it myself. Ultimately, I continued to see all comers.

By the way, not all doctors take the ACA insurance, so I am sure you could have found one who did not and thus not be caught up in the "flood" of all THOSE people who previously could not afford health care. Glad you were not drowned in the flood.

No sure why you are not willing to admit you are on the luxury liner while others are out with leaky life preservers.

 

THOSE people. Ugh

 

Thanks, @purplekow

[maninsoma]

Before I switched to Kaiser several years ago, I was aware of its not so stellar reputation. My experience has been quite the opposite, though. No, my doctor doesn't spend a half hour with me every visit but I do feel like he spends enough time to address my needs. He's typically available within a day or two. I have had to wait for some specialist visits, but when I get to those visits I feel like I receive excellent care -- not the revolving door approach that some allege. I also like that many routine issues that don't require an in person visit don't cost me anything extra since routine matters can be addressed via phone or email.

 

I suppose that I could choose to buy into a concierge service, but at this point I don't feel the need to do so. It would also certainly cost me a lot more than an extra $150 per month.

[+ FrankR]

I can certainly see why concierge service would be beneficial to some. As I age and my needs for easier and longer access to a physician increases, I will certainly consider the cost/benefit as it will likely lead to better outcomes - more time and attention when needed can certainly beneficial. Same is probably true for those that suffer from chronic illness. ?

[+ Pensant]

Fortunately, my primary care physician treats me like a concierge doc, so no need for the extra expense now. He’s also in his 30’s, so should be around a lot longer.

[+ Charlie]

As I mentioned in the thread linked by @samhexum, when my spouse's doctor converted to a concierge practice, he considered it worthwhile to spend the money to stay in it, because his medical conditions need plenty of monitoring. Eventually I joined the practice, too, because of dissatisfaction with the limited availability of my longtime primary care physician. $1800/yr seems like a bargain to us, since we pay $2200/yr per person.

[gallahadesquire]

Any suggestions on how to find a concierge practice? I’m in Central Massachusetts and Boston is a long schlepp

[Epigonos]

My doctor is affiliated with MDVIP which I believe is headquartered in Florida. Here is the web site where you may be able to obtain information regarding a physician in your area:

 

www.mdvip.com

[craigville beach]

Any suggestions on how to find a concierge practice? I’m in Central Massachusetts and Boston is a long schlepp

 

I'm interested also. I am a member of Tufts Medicare Preferred. I use UMass for many issues and Stewart for others. I have been very happy with Tufts.

[Epigonos]

I think, although I'm not positive that to qualify for a concierge physician one must have a PPO Medical Plan not an HMO. Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about this.

[gallahadesquire]

I'm interested also. I am a member of Tufts Medicare Preferred. I use UMass for many issues and Stewart for others. I have been very happy with Tufts.

I worked at UMass for about 24 years. If you have any question, please PM. The got a one-star rating from the Medicare people ... just consider that. Some of their departments are very good.

[gallahadesquire]

I think, although I'm not positive that to qualify for a concierge physician one must have a PPO Medical Plan not an HMO. Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about this.

I think they take whatever they can get from insurance, and bill you above and beyond. And you're right, an HMO would never stand for a concierge.

[Epigonos]

I'm on Medicare which pays 80% of my medical expenses. I have an Anthem Blue Cross Gap Policy which pays for the additional 20%. I have no medical copay although I do have a copay for Medicare "D" my prescription drug plan. I also have no deductible.

Because I have a California Teacher's Pension my Social Security benefit is pro-rated and isn't sufficient to cover my Medicare "B" premium so I'm billed for the balance once a year in July. My Medicare "D" (prescription drug plan) premium is also out of pocket and the cost is determined by my pension income.

The $1,800.00 for my Concierge Plan comes on top of that. All together my monthly medical insurance costs are considerable.

Edited July 16, 2019 by Epigonos

[+ purplekow]

My doctor is affiliated with MDVIP which I believe is headquartered in Florida. Here is the web site where you may be able to obtain information regarding a physician in your area:

 

www.mdvip.com

MDVIP has been around for a bit. I discussed joining them in 2008. They have very strict criteria for the practices that they will allow to join so as to prevent doctors from leaving. They had an amazing retention rate back when I spoke with them.

[maninsoma]

I think, although I'm not positive that to qualify for a concierge physician one must have a PPO Medical Plan not an HMO. Someone PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong about this.

 

Well, my HMO (Kaiser) won't work with a Concierge Physician, and that's definitely something that increases the cost for me. I could have dual coverage -- the luxury of longer visits and more immediate care with a concierge plan and then Kaiser benefits for more expensive things or routine coverage -- and, in fact, that's the way some concierge plans have been marketed to me. But you have to remember I live in a place where a lot of people are making a whole lot of money, so I suppose some people might actually be willing to pay for a concierge plan even though the doctor isn't part of their HMO network.