Concierge doctors offer personalized medical services or direct primary care services to patients. Instead of a monthly upfront fee, the patients pay a retainer or annual payments to the doctors. In previous times, concierge doctors offered these services to wealthy patients only as they could afford their fees. However, their services have become more affordable in recent times. Costs associated with concierge medical services tend to vary a lot. The services you depend on the amount you can shell out. The annual expense and the services of a concierge doctor are around $1500 for basic care. And the specialized services might cost you as much as $20,000.
What Are The Responsibilities Of A Concierge Doctor?
These physicians opt for a private practice to restrict the number of patients coming into contact with them. The number of patients they look after is usually less than the number in the case of a conventional office practice. One more reason behind limiting the number is to bring down the volume of paperwork linked to insurance payouts.
Concierge doctors have the eligibility and efficiency in carrying out things, the same as that of primary care physicians. They conduct physical tests every year and can monitor lab tests as well. Aside from that, they offer minor urgent medical care services such as stitches, treat skin conditions, and provide diagnostic screenings. A concierge doctor can’t provide major treatments or procedures such as surgery and stuff.
Reasons Why You Can Choose To Consult A Concierge Doctor
If you think you can shell out the monthly fee that’s a bit on the higher side, concierge medicines offer you certain benefits that you might not be entitled to when you consult a primary care physician within the insurance network.
Limited wait time is one of the plus points here. You can get access to your physician quicker than elsewhere. The benefits of same-day appointments and direct communication via phone or emails are there. Concierge doctors limit the patients they offer their services to. Therefore, they have a better ability to look after every patient with the utmost care.
The fee you pay to avail concierge services covers almost all the services offered to you as primary care. As a result, you won’t have to pay for every single visit. In cases where you need to visit a concierge doctor more often, you save money. You will need insurance coverage for major medical issues.
You share a more personal relationship with a concierge doctor. Since they don’t attend too many patients, they can devote more time to each individual. This leads to a better understanding and a better personal relationship between concierge doctors and their patients. They get to your medical history better, and that’s why it becomes convenient for them to diagnose your medical issues.
What Can You Expect From A Concierge Doctor?
When you visit a concierge doctor, you will be entitled to the same services people usually get from physicians via the traditional insurance plan. The services that are offered comprise blood tests, lab work, annual physicals, and preventive screenings. One huge advantage of this case is that the waiting time for a concierge doctor is shorter.
You can consult with them over the phone or via text messages and emails. You can contact them over video calls too. If you think you can pay the fee of a concierge doctor, incorporating an affordable concierge doctor plan into the health coverage you have for the time being. This is especially helpful when you are suffering from a chronic condition and frequently visit the doctor.
Remember that you can’t consider concierge care as a substitute for direct primary care even if your medical insurance covers the expenses. For example, you might have to consult a specialist if you have a serious condition. That’s because a concierge doctor might not be able to offer you the treatment that you require. Additionally, search for companies that offer concierge services as cheap medical insurance, in case you wish to add your concierge doctor to the club of health care providers that you visit. And remember, it is important to make an informed decision after evaluating the pros and cons of concierge care vs. primary care.