Many of us have had the frustrating experience of finding a physician who accepts latest patients, has long wait times for an appointment, and rushes appointments. This is where concierge medicine is available in.
“Concierge medicine means that people pay an annual membership fee for a more personalized approach to their healthcare,” says Bret Jorgensen, CEO of MDVIPthe most important network of concierge providers with over 1,100 affiliated general practitioners.
With the rise in chronic diseases and the rapid growth of the elderly population, the necessity for healthcare services is increasing. As a result, the worldwide marketplace for concierge medicine is booming, especially in North America.
Although there isn’t any national register of doctors who use a concierge model, an industry publication It is estimated that there are between 12,000 and 13,000 physicians within the United States who offer a subscription-based medical program.
This is a drop within the ocean in comparison with over 500,000 primary care physicians within the USAhowever the variety of concierge doctors is growing at a rate of 3% to five% annually.
Concierge medicine: A growing option for older patients
“Most of our members are between the ages of 50 and 80 and are more concerned about their health,” says Jorgensen. “They want to develop a more personal relationship with their doctor and delay, avoid, or better manage chronic diseases.”
All of MDVIP’s concierge physicians accept Medicare, and over half of its 400,000 members are covered by Medicare.
How much does a concierge membership cost?
The average cost of an annual concierge membership is between $2,000 and $5,000 per 12 months. This allows concierge doctors to take care of a smaller variety of patientsgenerally between 400 and 600, in comparison with 2,000–3,000 in a conventional primary care practice.
What Services are included in a concierge membership?
According to Jorgensen, the membership fee typically covers:
- Same-day or next-day appointments (in person or virtually)
- Answers to questions the identical day
- Longer visits, sometimes half-hour or more
- Annual personalized wellness plans
For some concierge physicians, the next services are also included within the membership fee:
- Direct access to your concierge doctor via email and phone
- Improved blood testing
- The opportunity to go to other concierge doctors within the network while traveling
- Coverage of young adults within the household
What Medicare covers
Like any medical provider, concierge physicians may select whether or not to just accept insurance (including Medicare).
“If a concierge doctor accepts Medicare, then the doctor must accept Medicare-approved fees for all covered services to Medicare patients,” says Diane Omdahl, writer of Medicare for you and co-founder of Medicare consulting firm 65 Registered. Medicare deductibles and copayments also apply.
Typical services covered by Medicare include blood tests related to a diagnosis, MRIs and X-rays, and outpatient surgeries, Omdahl says.
“The membership fees charged by concierge physicians are not covered by Medicare or Medicare Advantage,” Omdahl says.
If doctors have contracts with Medicare Advantage plans, services and payments are based on the plans’ coverage criteria, deductibles and copayments, Omdahl says.
