About Concierge Medicine
Whether you call it concierge, direct-pay or boutique medicine, the number of primary-care physicians making the transition to our type of healthcare delivery is growing rapidly. Below are some articles about our practice model from the press and academic journals.
Why The Future Of High-Quality Primary Care Is Concierge Medicine
Forbes November 27, 2017
“In the United States and across the globe, the need for high-quality primary medical care outstrips supply. This trend is very likely to not only continue, but also intensify. The answer is concierge medicine.”
Concierge Medicine is Reaching New Markets
USA Today January 23, 2016
"A growing number of primary care doctors, spurred by the federal health law and frustrations with insurance requirements, are bringing a service that generally has been considered “health care for billionaires” to middle-income, Medicaid and Medicare populations."
Doctors on Demand: Affordable and Getting More Popular
CNBC February 22, 2015
"Paying for concierge health care—no longer a just a perk for the super rich—is growing in popularity. With rising out-of-pocket costs, higher deductibles in their health plans and fewer doctors in provider networks, many consumers want to take more control of their health care. As a result, they are willing to pay a fee for immediate access and longer visits with their primary care physician.
Paying a retainer in addition to insurance premiums may seem to some consumers like they're paying twice. However, if you make some changes to your existing insurance plan, you may actually save money. . ."
The Case for Concierge Medicine
The Atlantic, July 16, 2014
“Physicians go into medicine because they want to make a difference, and it is the daily opportunity to help patients that keeps many of them going. Yet today many worry that their contribution is diminishing, and more and more physicians are reporting burnout. Many factors are responsible: increasing productivity demands, decreasing amounts of face time with patients, and a growing awareness that they are spending more time on activities such as record-keeping that don’t enhance their patients’ health.”
Personalized Preventive Care Leads to Significant Reductions in Hospital Utilization
American Journal of Managed Care, December 18, 2012
Academic journal article finding that the membership healthcare model allows physicians to take a more proactive, rather than reactive, approach, resulting in lower hospitalization rates and overall lower healthcare expenses.
Everyone Should Have a Concierge Doctor
Forbes Magazine, August 28, 2014
“Have you ever wondered why you doctor doesn’t talk to you by phone? . . . Have you ever wondered why the doctors who prescribe medications have no idea what they cost or where you can get the best price in the area where you live? All these questions have the same answer: doctors don’t get paid to do these things. . .
It starts with Medicare, which has a list of about 7,500 tasks that it pays physicians to perform. . .For all practical purposes, Medicare left the telephone off the list. It also over looked emailing. Ditto for advising patients on being wise purchasers of drugs. . .
One exception to this rule is what is sometimes called “concierge medicine” or “direct care.” This is practiced by doctors who step outside the traditional health insurance system. In most cases, they give their patients same day or next day service. They talk to their patients by phone and email. If their patients have to go to the emergency room, they are likely to meet them there. They serve as agents for their patients in dealing with the rest of the system: ordering tests, getting appointments with specialists, etc.”
The Rise and Further Rise of Concierge Medicine
British Medical Journal, October 28, 2013
“Examining the outcomes of 3088 of its physicians’ non-Medicare patients, Qliance [a private-pay medical practice] found that its patients have 35% fewer hospitalizations, 65% fewer emergency department visits, 66% fewer specialist visits, and 82% fewer surgeries than similar populations.”
Direct Primary Care: An Innovative Alternative to Conventional Health Insurance
Heritage Foundation, August 6, 2014
“Direct primary care could resolve many of the underlying problems facing doctors and patients in government and private-sector third-party payment arrangements. It has the potential to provide better health care for patients, create a positive work environment for physicians, and reduce the growing economic burdens on doctors and patients that are caused by the prevailing trends in health policy. With some specific policy changes at the state and federal levels, this innovative approach to primary care services could restore and revolutionize the doctor–patient relationship while improving the quality of care for patients.”
Is Concierge Medicine the Correct Choice for You?
Forbes Magazine, March 27, 2013
"[B]ecause of declining reimbursements, primary care physicians be forced see as many patients as possible each day in hurried 10-15 minute appointments, simply to make ends meet. In response to this frustrating situation, more doctors are seeking an alternative practice model. They are establishing “concierge” or “direct pay” practices, where patients pay a monthly or annual fee for enhanced services, including same day appointments, 24/7 access to their doctor, e-mail consultations, and longer appointment times. Instead of the usual rushed 10-15 minute appointments, these doctors typically offer 45-60 minute visits allowing them to really delve into their patients’ problems and craft individualized treatment and prevention plans.”
Why Concierge Medicine Will Get Bigger
Market Watch, January 17, 2013
“Concierge medicine’s perceived advantages will only grow in the coming years, experts say, as the traditional health-care system becomes even more strained. The full implementation of the Affordable Care Act next year is expected to bring more than 20 million formerly uninsured patients into the health-care system through 2022, exacerbating an existing physician shortage.”
Why The Future Of High-Quality Primary Care Is Concierge Medicine
Forbes November 27, 2017
“In the United States and across the globe, the need for high-quality primary medical care outstrips supply. This trend is very likely to not only continue, but also intensify. The answer is concierge medicine.”
Concierge Medicine is Reaching New Markets
USA Today January 23, 2016
"A growing number of primary care doctors, spurred by the federal health law and frustrations with insurance requirements, are bringing a service that generally has been considered “health care for billionaires” to middle-income, Medicaid and Medicare populations."
Doctors on Demand: Affordable and Getting More Popular
CNBC February 22, 2015
"Paying for concierge health care—no longer a just a perk for the super rich—is growing in popularity. With rising out-of-pocket costs, higher deductibles in their health plans and fewer doctors in provider networks, many consumers want to take more control of their health care. As a result, they are willing to pay a fee for immediate access and longer visits with their primary care physician.
Paying a retainer in addition to insurance premiums may seem to some consumers like they're paying twice. However, if you make some changes to your existing insurance plan, you may actually save money. . ."
The Case for Concierge Medicine
The Atlantic, July 16, 2014
“Physicians go into medicine because they want to make a difference, and it is the daily opportunity to help patients that keeps many of them going. Yet today many worry that their contribution is diminishing, and more and more physicians are reporting burnout. Many factors are responsible: increasing productivity demands, decreasing amounts of face time with patients, and a growing awareness that they are spending more time on activities such as record-keeping that don’t enhance their patients’ health.”
Personalized Preventive Care Leads to Significant Reductions in Hospital Utilization
American Journal of Managed Care, December 18, 2012
Academic journal article finding that the membership healthcare model allows physicians to take a more proactive, rather than reactive, approach, resulting in lower hospitalization rates and overall lower healthcare expenses.
Everyone Should Have a Concierge Doctor
Forbes Magazine, August 28, 2014
“Have you ever wondered why you doctor doesn’t talk to you by phone? . . . Have you ever wondered why the doctors who prescribe medications have no idea what they cost or where you can get the best price in the area where you live? All these questions have the same answer: doctors don’t get paid to do these things. . .
It starts with Medicare, which has a list of about 7,500 tasks that it pays physicians to perform. . .For all practical purposes, Medicare left the telephone off the list. It also over looked emailing. Ditto for advising patients on being wise purchasers of drugs. . .
One exception to this rule is what is sometimes called “concierge medicine” or “direct care.” This is practiced by doctors who step outside the traditional health insurance system. In most cases, they give their patients same day or next day service. They talk to their patients by phone and email. If their patients have to go to the emergency room, they are likely to meet them there. They serve as agents for their patients in dealing with the rest of the system: ordering tests, getting appointments with specialists, etc.”
The Rise and Further Rise of Concierge Medicine
British Medical Journal, October 28, 2013
“Examining the outcomes of 3088 of its physicians’ non-Medicare patients, Qliance [a private-pay medical practice] found that its patients have 35% fewer hospitalizations, 65% fewer emergency department visits, 66% fewer specialist visits, and 82% fewer surgeries than similar populations.”
Direct Primary Care: An Innovative Alternative to Conventional Health Insurance
Heritage Foundation, August 6, 2014
“Direct primary care could resolve many of the underlying problems facing doctors and patients in government and private-sector third-party payment arrangements. It has the potential to provide better health care for patients, create a positive work environment for physicians, and reduce the growing economic burdens on doctors and patients that are caused by the prevailing trends in health policy. With some specific policy changes at the state and federal levels, this innovative approach to primary care services could restore and revolutionize the doctor–patient relationship while improving the quality of care for patients.”
Is Concierge Medicine the Correct Choice for You?
Forbes Magazine, March 27, 2013
"[B]ecause of declining reimbursements, primary care physicians be forced see as many patients as possible each day in hurried 10-15 minute appointments, simply to make ends meet. In response to this frustrating situation, more doctors are seeking an alternative practice model. They are establishing “concierge” or “direct pay” practices, where patients pay a monthly or annual fee for enhanced services, including same day appointments, 24/7 access to their doctor, e-mail consultations, and longer appointment times. Instead of the usual rushed 10-15 minute appointments, these doctors typically offer 45-60 minute visits allowing them to really delve into their patients’ problems and craft individualized treatment and prevention plans.”
Why Concierge Medicine Will Get Bigger
Market Watch, January 17, 2013
“Concierge medicine’s perceived advantages will only grow in the coming years, experts say, as the traditional health-care system becomes even more strained. The full implementation of the Affordable Care Act next year is expected to bring more than 20 million formerly uninsured patients into the health-care system through 2022, exacerbating an existing physician shortage.”