Many of us have experienced frustration when trying to find a doctor who is accepting new patients, long waits to see a doctor, and rushed to get an appointment. Enter concierge medicine.
“Concierge medicine is where people pay an annual membership fee for a more personalized approach to their health,” says Bret Jorgensen, the company’s CEO. MDVIPlargest network of concierge providers with more than 1,100 primary care physicians.
Given the rise in chronic diseases and the rapidly growing older adult population, the need for health care services is increasing. As a result, the global concierge healthcare market is booming, with North America leading the way.
Although there is no national registry of physicians using the concierge model, one industry publication There are an estimated 12,000 to 13,000 physicians in the United States offering subscription-based medical plans.
This is a drop in the bucket compared to more than 500,000 primary care physicians in the United Statesbut the number of concierge doctors is growing at a rate 3-5% per annum.
Concierge Medicine: A growing option for older patients
“Most of our members are between 50 and 80 years old and are more focused on their health,” says Jorgensen. “They want a more personalized relationship with their doctor and delay, avoid or better manage chronic diseases.”
All MDVIP concierge physicians participate in the Medicare program, and more than half of its 400,000 members participate in the Medicare program.
How much does a concierge membership cost?
average cost of an annual concierge membership ranges from $2,000 to $5,000 per year. This allows concierge doctors serve fewer patientstypically ranges from 400 to 600 compared to 2000 to 3000 in traditional primary care practice.
What services included in a concierge membership?
According to Jorgensen, the membership fee typically covers:
- Same day or next day appointments (in person or virtually)
- Same day answers to questions
- Long visits sometimes 30 minutes or more
- Annual personal wellness plans
Some concierge doctors also include the following benefits in their membership fee:
- Direct access to your concierge physician via email and phone.
- Improved blood test
- Opportunity to visit other in-network concierge doctors while traveling.
- Reaching young people in the household
What does Medicare cover?
Like any healthcare provider, concierge doctors may or may not accept insurance, including Medicare.
“If a concierge physician participates in the Medicare program, the physician must accept Medicare-approved fees for all covered services for Medicare patients,” says Diane Omdahl, author of “Medicare.” Medicare for you and co-founder of the Medicare consulting firm 65 Incorporated. Medicare deductibles and copayments will also apply.
Typical services covered by Medicare include blood tests needed to make a diagnosis, MRIs and X-rays, and same-day surgery, Omdahl said.
“Membership fees charged by concierge physicians are not covered by either Medicare or Medicare Advantage,” Omdahl says.
“When physicians contract with Medicare Advantage plans, services and payments are based on coverage criteria, deductibles, and copays,” Omdahl says.