Concierge medicine offers swift access — for a price

For $3,000 a year, a concierge patient can contact one area doctor 24/7 and get same-day or next-day appointments.

As insurance companies have come to dominate health care services, frustrated doctors and patients have turned with increasing numbers to a different kind of practice known as concierge medicine.

“It’s a style of medicine where there is a relationship between the physician and patient. The patient gets an enhanced level of service for a retainer fee,” said Dr. Delicia Haynes, owner of Family First Health Center in Daytona Beach.