My clinic is switching to concierge - innovative or rip-off?

[TFW46]

Originally Posted by Travelassie

Around here those "annual membership fees" for concierge physician practices range from $1500-3000 annually. Not sure what all those fees cover, though.

My doctor offers a concierge program that costs $1,800.00/year. For that, you get his private cell phone number and are encouraged to call him 24/7 with any question or problem. You also get preferred scheduling when you need an appointment, whether on an emergency basis or not. You dont get a discount on office visits or any services. Most of his clients dont participate in the concierge program.

[gentlearts]

I won't comment on the holistic part, because I don't know what that means as far as what's included, but the concierge part sounds great.
Patient goes to doctor....patient pays doctor a fee for services that is mutually agreed to in advance. Done.
My family practitioner, who was a family friend, once told me how demoralizing it was for him to be a doctor. All he wanted was to see a patient, help them get better, and get paid a reasonable amount. He owned his building, had huge overhead, and a constant hassle with insurance companies. This was well before ACA.
He now is an employee of a huge hospital system, so has no worries. He just sees patients, refers, if necessary, and gets a paycheck.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

My family practitioner... once told me how demoralizing it was for him to be a doctor. All he wanted was to see a patient, help them get better, and get paid a reasonable amount. He owned his building, had huge overhead, and a constant hassle with insurance companies. This was well before ACA.

Our experience exactly, and also many years ago. Our doctor said that the pressure from health insurance companies to shorten time for visits, bill certain ways, or cover only certain procedures made practicing medicine much less satisfying. (He retired.)

[pink caddy]

Let's put it this way: BEST $2000 I'v ever spent.