What Is a Concierge Doctor?
Concierge doctors offer a primary care alternative to traditional insurance-based healthcare. If you're looking for more personalized preventive care with easy scheduling and extended appointments, a concierge doctor may improve your patient experience.
Key Takeaways
The concierge medicine healthcare model, also known as "boutique medicine" or "membership medicine," tends to give doctors more flexibility than the more traditional health insurance model. Learn more about concierge doctors, what they do and how they might benefit your health.
What Does a Concierge Doctor Do?
A concierge doctor is just like a primary care physician who's in network with your health insurance, except they typically offer more benefits. They have the same education as other doctors, including medical school, internships, and residencies. They also can provide traditional primary care services — from physical exams to screenings. However, in addition to taking insurance for covered services, they may also charge a membership fee for services that aren't covered by Medicare or insurance.
Visits with your concierge doctor typically are longer, and they review your health more in-depth. For example, along with weighing you, your concierge doctor might use advanced technology to look at the percentage of muscle and fat you have. This information tells them more about your health and fitness than a traditional scale. It also measures your metabolism, so your doctor knows how many calories you burn at rest, which can help with weight loss.
While a concierge doctor may provide unlimited primary care services, any major medical issues, such as surgeries, usually still require a specialist and health insurance coverage.
When and Why Should I See a Concierge Doctor?
Have you ever been frustrated trying to see your primary care physician? Maybe you wait weeks to see them, only to spend more time in the waiting room than talking to your doctor. If this sounds familiar and a concierge medical plan is in your budget, you may want to try to find a concierge doctor.
Many people can benefit having a concierge doctor including:
- Busy professionals, who want on-demand, personalized care with minimal wait times
- Patients with complex or chronic health conditions who need more time with their doctor and preventive support
- Older adults, who want their doctor in the room for longer, offering proactive aging care and reducing the stress of navigating traditional primary care systems
You can think of concierge medicine as an investment in your preventive care. Concierge doctors give you:
Beyond Concierge Care
With a concierge doctor, you:
- Pay an annual fee. This fee covers services that aren’t typically covered by insurance, such as advanced testing.
- Receive primary care services from a physician who typically sees fewer patients.
- Still maintain health insurance for major medical issues, such as surgery, and sick visits with your doctor.
MDVIP offers a different kind of service that goes beyond concierge medicine. You may find our approach appealing—especially our personalized wellness program designed to focus on prevention and tailored to you. Our members love the patient experience, focus on prevention and benefits:
- Scheduling same-day or next-day appointments
- Having unhurried, extended visits
- Being able to reach their doctor after hours
- Benefiting from a comprehensive wellness program
- Receiving healthcare support while traveling
- Building a relationship with a doctor who cares