Patient's Guide to Concierge Medicine
| Reviewed and edited by: MDVIP Editorial Team |
Concierge medicine is a membership-based model of primary care in which patients pay a practice an annual fee and the physician cares for far fewer patients, which allows the physician to provide more appointment options, easier scheduling, longer appointments, and help outside of business hours.
Key takeaways
- Concierge medicine is primary care supported by a membership fee. In return, the physician cares for fewer patients and has more time for each one.
- Membership medicine is the broader category. It includes concierge medicine, boutique medicine, direct primary care, hybrid practices, and preventive membership models like MDVIP.
- Concierge fees typically range from $3,000 to $5,000 a year. The membership fee works alongside health insurance, so patients keep their coverage for specialists, hospital stays, emergencies, and prescriptions. Medicare, Medicaid, VA health care, and TRICARE generally don't pay the membership fee, but they may still cover care at the practice.
- Concierge medicine tends to be most valuable for patients who manage a chronic condition, see a physician often, or want more time with their physician.
- MDVIP is a preventive primary care membership where the fee covers advanced diagnostics and screenings, not typically covered by insurance, through an MDVIP-affiliated doctor.
What is concierge medicine?
Concierge medicine is a form of primary care where patients pay a fee to become a member of the practice. Because membership-based practices set a membership or patient limit, it usually means the primary care physician (PCP) sees a much smaller number of patients than traditional PCPs. The structure creates more time for each patient, greater flexibility when scheduling, and other membership perks set by the individual practice.
Most concierge practices still bill health insurance or Medicare for covered visits and tests. The membership fee covers the additional time and services that insurance doesn't pay for [1], [2].
What is a concierge doctor?
A concierge doctor is a doctor who accepts a membership fee and serves a smaller panel of patients, allowing them to provide specific amenities and services often harder to achieve in traditional primary care.
Concierge doctors don't require any formalized, additional training to become a concierge physician.
How does concierge medicine work?
Joining a concierge practice is similar to establishing care with any new primary care physician, with the addition of a membership agreement and an annual fee. Most patients follow these steps:
- Find a practice welcoming new members. Because each physician cares for fewer patients, openings vary from practice to practice.
- Review the membership agreement. The agreement outlines the fee, what it covers, how billing works, and how to cancel [3]. If something feels unclear, ask the practice for clarity before signing.
- Pay the membership fee. Most practices bill annually, and many also offer quarterly or semiannual payment options.
- Transfer your medical records. Sending your records ahead of time allows your new physician to begin with your full health history.
- Schedule your first visit. Know that your first visit may run longer than a typical new-patient appointment, so your physician can get to know you and your health.
Who offers concierge medicine?
Concierge medicine is typically offered by doctors operating through one of three concierge practice types:
- Independent or small group practice. The physician determines the services, fee, and patient limit of the practice, so patients often find more variety here compared to the other options.
- National network. Physicians remain independent but affiliate with a national organization that provides a defined program and business support. Patients often find a more consistent experience from one practice to the next, and some networks offer support when patients travel.
- Hospital or health system. Some academic medical centers offer concierge programs connected to their own specialists.
What is membership medicine?
Membership medicine is any type of care in which patients pay a membership fee directly to their physician's practice. Concierge medicine is one type of membership medicine. Boutique medicine, direct primary care, hybrid practices, and preventive membership models like MDVIP are others.
The main differences between them come down to three factors that affect both your care and your costs:
- The membership fee: a set amount paid directly to the practice, either annually or monthly. It's separate from what you pay your insurance company, and insurance doesn't cover it.
- Whether the practice bills insurance: when it does, the practice sends the bill for each visit to your health insurance, the same way a traditional practice does. Your usual copay (the flat amount owed at each visit) and deductible still apply.
- Patients per physician: the number of people one physician is responsible for. With fewer patients, appointments are easier to schedule and the physician has more time for each visit.
Each type of medicine membership still relies on health insurance for specialists, hospital stays, emergencies, and most imaging, such as MRIs.
| Type of care | How it works | Patients per physician | What you pay | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concierge medicine | Patients pay a yearly fee, and the practice still bills insurance for visits, labs, and tests that insurance covers. | Usually 300 to 600 | Typically $3,000 to $5,000 a year [2], plus your usual copays and deductible | Longer visits, same- or next-day appointments, and a direct way to reach your physician, often after hours |
| Boutique medicine | Similar to concierge medicine, but with even fewer patients and more services included. Some boutique practices don't bill insurance. | Often fewer than 300, sometimes fewer than 100 | Usually $10,000 or more a year. If the practice doesn't bill insurance, visits are paid out of pocket. | The most time with your physician, plus additional services such as home visits and help scheduling specialists |
| Direct primary care | A monthly fee covers everyday care, such as checkups, sick visits, and managing conditions like high blood pressure. The practice usually doesn't bill insurance for that care. | Usually 400 to 800 | Often $50 to $100 a month [2]. Most visits have no copay, though some labs or medications cost extra. | Simple, predictable pricing for everyday care, with health insurance still needed for everything else |
| MDVIP | The yearly fee covers the MDVIP Wellness Program, an in-depth annual exam with advanced screenings and tests insurance typically doesn't cover. Most practices still bill insurance and Medicare for regular visits. | No more than 600 | Starting at $2,500 a year, plus your usual copays and deductible | Advanced diagnostics each year across metabolism, heart, brain, and more, with a physician-led plan based on your unique risks and concerns, plus longer visits, same- or next-day appointments, after-hours contact for urgent concerns, and other benefits. |
Physician insight:
In traditional medicine, a doctor will have a panel of 2000+ patients. In membership based medicine, that panel math changes completely with panels of closer to 500 patients. The result is that the doctor has more time to get to know each patient and create a personalized plan of care. It makes primary care much more relationship oriented rather than transactional.
- Jeff Lin, MD, FACC | Chief Medical Officer at MDVIP
What services are included in concierge medicine memberships?
Concierge medical services center on more time with your physician and easier ways to reach them. Because each practice offers its own mix of services, it helps to understand which services the membership fee covers and which ones are still billed to insurance.
| Usually covered by the membership fee | Still billed to your insurance or Medicare |
|---|---|
| Longer appointments | Covered office visits, if the practice bills your insurance |
| Same- or next-day appointments | Lab work and screenings your insurance covers |
| After-hours contact with your physician for urgent concerns | Specialist visits |
| An extended annual exam, sometimes with screenings insurance doesn't cover | Imaging, such as X-rays and MRIs |
| Help arranging specialist appointments | Hospital stays, surgery, and emergency care |
| Additional services at some practices, such as health coaching, nutrition counseling, or home visits | Prescriptions |
Does concierge medicine work with insurance?
Yes, insurance works with concierge medicine by working alongside it. Patients pay the membership fee to the practice, and the practice bills insurance or Medicare for covered care, the same way a traditional practice does.
For most patients, insurance continues to work the way it does today:
- Covered visits, labs, and screenings are billed to your plan.
- Your usual copays and deductibles remain the same.
- Specialists, hospital care, emergencies, and prescriptions are covered by your plan as usual.
Concierge medicine vs. traditional primary care
The biggest difference between concierge medicine and traditional primary care is the number of patients each physician is responsible for. That number shapes nearly every part of the patient experience, from the length of each visit to how quickly an appointment is available.
Traditional primary care schedules rarely leave physicians enough time for everything patients need. A physician caring for a typical group of 2,500 adults would need about 26.7 hours a day to provide all recommended preventive, chronic, and acute care [4]. For patients, that time gap often appears as:
- Short visits: The average primary care exam lasts about 18 minutes [5].
- Long waits: New patients in large U.S. cities wait an average of 23.5 days for a family medicine appointment [6].
- Less time for prevention: Recommended preventive care alone would take about 14.1 hours a day for that typical group of patients [4].
| Traditional primary care | Concierge medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Patients per physician | About 2,500 in a typical full practice [4] | Usually 300 to 600 |
| Membership fee | None | Typically $3,000 to $5,000 a year [2] |
| Typical visit | About 18 minutes [5] | Longer, often 30 minutes or more |
| Getting an appointment | 23.5 days on average for new family medicine patients in large cities [6] | Usually shorter [7], often the same day or next day |
| Reaching your physician | Through the front desk or a patient portal | Often directly, including after hours for urgent concerns |
| Insurance | Billed for covered visits | Still billed for covered visits |
In a short visit, the concern a patient comes in with is addressed first. Slower changes, such as blood pressure rising gradually over a few years, are often left for the next appointment. With more time, a physician can review the whole picture in a single conversation.
Physician insight:
When your doctor has time they are able to listen more closely, catch things earlier, and build a plan with you. When your health does have an issue, your doctor also knows everything about you and can help you navigate the issue at hand.
- Jeff Lin, MD, FACC | Chief Medical Officer at MDVIP
What to expect at a doctor's concierge practice
At a doctor's concierge practice, patients can expect longer visits, timely appointments, and a physician who follows their health between visits. A typical year often includes:
- Your first visit. Know that your first visit may last an hour or more, so your physician can gather all the details they need, including your health history, medications, family history, and goals.
- An annual exam. The annual exam is typically more detailed than a traditional physical. Many practices include lab work or screenings.
- Visits when you're sick. Members can call or message the office and are usually seen by their own physician the same day or the next.
- Help after business hours. Many practices offer a direct way to reach your physician in the evening or on weekends for urgent concerns.
- Communication between visits. Your physician follows up on test results, monitors how medication changes are working, and answers questions by phone or message.
- Referrals when you need a specialist. Your physician can recommend a specialist, help arrange the appointment, and speak with the specialist about your care.
- Support while in the hospital. Your physician may stay in contact with your hospital care team and help plan your care after discharge.
How much does concierge medicine cost?
Concierge medicine typically costs $3,000 to $5,000 a year, and some practices charge more [2]. The fee varies based on location, the physician, how many patients the practice accepts, and what the membership includes.
For a realistic picture of yearly costs, add together:
- The membership fee
- Your health insurance premium
- Copays and deductibles still owed for care billed to insurance
The value of a membership depends on how you use primary care. Patients who are healthy and see a physician once a year may not use the additional time granted by a membership-based model. Patients who manage a chronic condition, take several medications, or help care for an aging parent often find that the additional time makes the fee worthwhile.
For patients interested in the benefits of concierge medicine, but hesitant about the cost, other types of medicine memberships are worth the consideration. Direct primary care often costs $50 to $100 a month, with physicians caring for a larger patient panel than concierge medicine [2]. MDVIP-affiliated physicians set fees starting at $2,500, which covers advanced labs and diagnostics insurance doesn't typically cover. When evaluating costs, it's important to weigh the membership fee against the physician's patient panel and other membership perks.
Physician insight:
I always acknowledge that it is a real consideration. But I would also point out that they should think of it as an investment in the most important thing in their life - their health, not dissimilar from an investment in education or in joining a gym for fitness. The goal is to find medical problems earlier so they are easier to manage or identify at-risk signals earlier so you can avoid the medical problem altogether.
- Jeff Lin, MD, FACC | Chief Medical Officer at MDVIP
How to pay for concierge medicine
Most patients pay the concierge membership fee out of pocket, while insurance or a public program covers care at the practice. Each payment option covers something slightly different.
Paying out of pocket
Many patients pay for concierge medicine memberships by using their personal checking or savings accounts. Most practices bill the membership fee annually, and many offer quarterly or semiannual payment options. If more than one person in your household plans to join, ask the practice whether spouses or family members have a different rate.
Private health insurance
Private health insurance typically doesn't cover the membership fee. If the practice is in your plan's network, covered visits, labs, and screenings are billed as usual. Out-of-network visits often cost more, so confirm which plans the practice accepts before joining.
HSA and FSA
Most concierge fees don't qualify for health savings account (HSA) payment, but other medicine memberships may be eligible. For example, an HSA and FSA can be used to cover MDVIP's membership fee.
But whether an HSA or flexible spending account (FSA) can reimburse a concierge fee depends on what the fee covers and on your plan's rules. You can request an itemized statement from the practice, and confirm eligibility with your plan administrator before paying.
Medicare
Medicare doesn't cover concierge membership fees, but it still covers Medicare-covered services at a practice that accepts Medicare [11]. For patients with Medicare:
- The membership fee can't include charges for services Medicare covers [11].
- If your physician recommends something Medicare won't pay for, you should receive a written Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) beforehand [11].
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that the practice is in your plan's network.
Medicaid
Medicaid doesn't cover membership fees, but it can still cover care at a practice that participates in Medicaid. Physicians who participate in Medicaid must accept Medicaid's payment, plus any required cost sharing, as payment in full for covered services [12]. Patients with Medicaid can ask the practice whether it accepts their coverage, and their state Medicaid agency can answer additional questions.
VA benefits and TRICARE
VA health care and TRICARE generally don't cover membership fees. Each works with a membership practice in its own way:
- VA health care: VA pays a community provider only when VA approves the care in advance and the provider is in VA's community care network [13]. Veterans can use VA alongside Medicare, private insurance, or TRICARE, so a practice may bill that coverage for covered visits [16].
- TRICARE: For patients with Medicare Parts A and B, TRICARE For Life works alongside Medicare [14]. Your TRICARE contractor can explain how your plan works with a membership practice.
Employer benefits
Some employers offer membership-based primary care as a benefit or allow employees to pay for it with pre-tax dollars. Your benefits team can explain which options are available.
Can you cancel a concierge medicine membership?
Yes, most concierge practices allow members to cancel, and the membership agreement outlines the process. Before joining, review the agreement for three details:
- How much notice is required. Some practices ask for written notice, often 30 days or more.
- Whether unused fees are refunded. If you paid for the full year up front, the agreement explains whether the unused portion is returned.
- When the membership renews. Many memberships renew automatically each year unless they're canceled before the renewal date.
After canceling, you can ask the practice to send your medical records to your next physician, so your care continues without a gap.
Is concierge medicine worth it?
Concierge medicine is usually worth it for patients who use primary care regularly or want a closer relationship with their physician. It may be harder to justify for patients who are healthy and rarely need to see a physician. To know if it's right for you, weigh the pros and cons of concierge medicine, evaluate how often you used your PCP in the last year, and take a look at your budget.
Concierge medicine may be a good fit if you:
- Manage a chronic condition, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease
- Take several medications or see several specialists
- Want more time to discuss prevention, screening results, and lifestyle changes
- Have felt rushed or unheard in past appointments
- Help care for an aging parent
It may not be worth it if you:
- Are healthy and see a physician once a year or less
- Would find the fee difficult to pay on top of insurance premiums and copays
- Live far from the nearest practice
- Mostly need care for occasional minor concerns
Physician insight:
Patients who want to be an active participant in their health and are interested in prevention, proactive medicine, and thinking about preserving their health well into their 80s, 90s, and 100s should consider a membership. Patients who have complex chronic conditions also benefit tremendously from membership based medicine through spending more time with a doctor who is able to help them connect the dots more holistically in their care plan.
- Jeff Lin, MD, FACC | Chief Medical Officer at MDVIP
How to find and choose a concierge doctor
Finding a concierge physician you trust is a straightforward process when you know what the process looks like. These eight steps guide you from the first search to the first visit:
- Consider what you need. Think about your health conditions, how often you see a physician, and your budget for a membership fee. Patients who want one physician for the whole family often choose a family medicine physician, while internal medicine physicians, or internists, focus on caring for adults.
- Search for concierge physicians near you. Concierge and membership network directories allow you to search by ZIP code and view affiliated physicians in your area. Your current physician or specialists may also be able to recommend someone. A practice near your home or work makes same-day appointments easier to attend.
- Contact the practices on your list. Ask whether the physician is welcoming new members and how many patients they currently care for.
- Review each physician's background. Board certification in family medicine or internal medicine can be confirmed through Certification Matters, the American Board of Medical Specialties' free lookup tool. Ask which hospital the physician works with as well.
- Compare membership terms. Each practice can share its membership agreement, which outlines how often the fee is billed, what it covers, how insurance is involved, and how to cancel.
- Learn how the practice works day to day. Ask the practice how to reach your physician after hours, who provides care when your physician is away, and how the practice works with specialists.
- Meet the physician. Most practices offer a free consultation, which gives you the opportunity to ask questions and see whether you feel comfortable with the physician.
- Join and get established. After signing the agreement and paying the fee, have your medical records sent to the new practice and schedule your first visit. Many practices offer annual or quarterly payment options.
Physician insight:
When choosing a doctor, it's important to look for one that spends time listening without interrupting, is good at communicating and understands your values and preferences, and is at the leading edge of medicine. You must have confidence that they are staying up to date on the latest.
- Jeff Lin, MD, FACC | Chief Medical Officer at MDVIP
What to do if your primary doctor moves to a concierge practice
If your physician is moving to a concierge practice, you can join, find a new primary care physician, or ask for more time to decide. Each option is reasonable as long as your care continues without a gap.
This can be a significant decision, especially after years with the same physician. A few steps can make it easier:
- Getting the terms in writing. Written terms should include the fee, what it covers, how it works with your insurance or Medicare, and the deadline to decide [3].
- Asking what happens if you don't join. Physicians who convert their practice should help patients who don't join transfer to another physician, and continue caring for them under their current insurance if no local physician can accept them yet [3].
- Weighing the relationship. A physician who already knows your history has real value, especially for patients managing ongoing conditions.
- Asking about a later enrollment window. Some practices allow patients to join after the initial deadline.
- Requesting your records either way. Your records allow your history to follow you to whichever physician you choose.
Physician groups have raised concerns that practice conversions can make primary care harder to find for patients who don't join [17]. A clear transition plan helps ensure every patient continues to receive good care.
Physician insight:
When patients switch to MDVIP, they feel like they have a partner and are no longer navigating their health or the healthcare system on their own. Patients also note that they feel motivated to make changes because they now have a plan built on a more comprehensive wellness program and someone is following up and holding them accountable.
- Jeff Lin, MD, FACC | Chief Medical Officer at MDVIP
Is MDVIP concierge medicine?
No, MDVIP is not concierge medicine. MDVIP is a preventive primary care membership that offers members a wellness program that provides advanced labs and diagnostics not typically covered by insurance through an available, affiliated doctor of your choice.
MDVIP membership includes:
- The MDVIP Wellness Program. Your physician chooses tests based on your age, health history, and risk factors, then reviews the results with you and builds a personalized wellness plan [8].
- A smaller practice. Each MDVIP-affiliated physician cares for no more than 600 patients, which leaves time for longer appointments and a physician who wants to know you [9].
- Added conveniences. Members have same- or next-day appointments, after-hours contact for urgent concerns, and support from their physician when they're out of town.
- Continued use of your insurance. Most MDVIP-affiliated practices bill private insurance and Medicare for covered visits [18].
- Help with specialists. Your physician can speak with specialists on your behalf and may recommend and help arrange appointments.
Physician insight:
MDVIP is a national network of independent doctors who share a common practice model - a proactive clinical approach called the MDVIP wellness program which leads to smaller panel sizes and more time with each patient. Patients keep their insurance for covered services.
- Jeff Lin, MD, FACC | Chief Medical Officer at MDVIP
Learn more by exploring how to join MDVIP.
Patients also ask
What is concierge medicine in simple terms?
Concierge medicine is primary care supported by a membership fee. The physician cares for fewer patients, which allows for longer appointments, faster scheduling, and more time for prevention. The fee is separate from health insurance.
What is concierge care or concierge healthcare?
Concierge care and concierge healthcare are other names for concierge medicine, as is retainer-based medicine. Each describes primary care supported by a membership fee, from a physician who cares for fewer patients.
What is a concierge medical practice?
A concierge medical practice is a primary care practice that charges a recurring membership fee and limits how many patients each physician cares for, usually 300 to 600. Most still bill insurance or Medicare for covered care [2].
Is concierge medicine the same as boutique medicine?
Boutique medicine is a form of concierge medicine with even fewer patients per physician and more services included. It usually costs $10,000 or more a year.
Can I use my HSA for concierge medicine?
In most cases, a traditional concierge fee can't be paid with an HSA. Since 2026, HSA funds can be used for qualifying direct primary care arrangements that cost $150 a month or less for an individual [10]. Your plan administrator can confirm eligibility before you pay a membership fee. However, other medicine memberships may be eligible.
Is concierge medicine the same as direct primary care?
The two are related, but they work differently. Direct primary care usually doesn't bill insurance for primary care and often costs $50 to $100 a month, while concierge practices typically charge $3,000 to $5,000 a year and still bill insurance for covered care [2].
How is MDVIP different from concierge medicine?
MDVIP is a membership model that goes above and beyond concierge medicine. The membership fee covers the annual MDVIP Wellness Program, and most MDVIP-affiliated practices continue to bill insurance and Medicare for covered care [8], [18].
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical, legal, tax, or financial advice, or to create a professional relationship between MDVIP and the reader. Always seek the advice of your own physician, tax professional, or other qualified professional about your specific situation.
Sources
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2. Physicians Practice (2026, April 26). Concierge and direct primary care are booming, but corporatization and access questions are close behind [Interview with Jane M. Zhu, MD, lead author of the Health Affairs study]. https://www.physicianspractice.com/view/concierge-and-direct-primary-care-are-booming-but-corporatization-and-access-questions-are-close-behind
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6. AMN Healthcare (2025, May 27). 2025 survey of physician appointment wait times and Medicare and Medicaid acceptance rates. https://www.amnhealthcare.com/amn-insights/physician/whitepapers/2025-survey-of-physician-appointment-wait-times/
7. Rylands, K. S., Collins, C. M., & Collins, D. R. (2025). Maximizing the value of concierge medicine: A systematic review of cost, access, and outcomes. The American Journal of Medicine, 138(9), 1201–1213. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40158715/
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9. MDVIP (2026). Corporate overview: approved statistics
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11. Medicare.gov (n.d.). Concierge medicine coverage. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/concierge-care
12. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (2026). 42 CFR 447.15, Acceptance of State payment as payment in full. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-42/chapter-IV/subchapter-C/part-447/subpart-A/section-447.15
13. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (2025, September 11). Eligibility for community care outside VA. https://www.va.gov/resources/eligibility-for-community-care-outside-va/
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16. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (n.d.). Community care. VA Sheridan health care. https://www.va.gov/sheridan-health-care/programs/community-care/
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18. MDVIP (n.d.). Frequently asked questions: Patient memberships. https://www.mdvip.com/patients/faq