How to Become a Concierge Doctor

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Key Takeaways

With high physician burnout rates and a desire for smaller patient panels, some doctors are switching from the traditional primary healthcare business model to concierge medicine.
Concierge doctors follow the same medical school education and medical licensing requirements as other primary care physicians.
There are several ways to shift into a membership-based practice, including transitioning an existing practice or starting a private practice.

Some physicians transition from the traditional healthcare business model to a membership-based practice, and there are a few ways to do so.

How to Become a Concierge Doctor: What You Need to Know

Today, more and more physicians are making the switch to membership-based or concierge medicine. With fewer patients, concierge doctors can focus on providing more personalized patient care while achieving a better work-life balance. Making the switch from a traditional primary care model takes careful consideration, planning, and support.

Discover different ways to become a concierge doctor based on your physician career path.

Complete Medical School Education Requirements

Concierge doctors have the same education and medical licensing requirements as traditional primary care doctors, including:

  • Undergraduate degree
  • Medical degree (MD or DO)
  • Residency training or internship in a specialty
  • Optional fellowship in a subspecialty

After completing, on average, 11 years of medical education, doctors must also pass the licensing exam to practice medicine in their specific state. Many concierge doctors also become board-certified in internal medicine, family medicine, geriatrics, or other specialties. Board certification means a doctor has met requirements in their specialty and is capable of operating at a high level.

Licensed physicians have a few options for how they pursue a concierge or membership-based practice.

Transition an Existing Practice to the Concierge Model (More Common)

Transition an Existing Practice to the Concierge Model (More Common)

If you have an independent practice, you may decide to switch to the concierge model. Though you don’t have to build your business from scratch, the process can still be complex.

When transitioning to the concierge or patient retainer fee model, it helps if you:

  • Specialize in internal medicine, family medicine, or another specialty in which you work closely with patients
  • Have practiced in your area for five years or more
  • Have developed long-term relationships with patients
  • Live in an area where people are interested in concierge medicine
The concierge conversion process usually takes around 16 weeks to complete. You’ll need to decide:
  • How many patients will I see?
  • Will I need to train or recruit new staff to provide more advanced services?
  • How will I shift scheduling and communication to follow the concierge model?
  • In what ways will I update billing and marketing?
  • How will I share practice changes with existing patients?
One of the hardest parts of transitioning your practice is losing patients, since you won’t be able to keep all your patients if you switch to the concierge model. You’ll also have to help your patients make the switch to concierge if they agree.

Start Your Own Concierge Practice (Less Common)

Another option for becoming a concierge doctor is starting a private practice of your own. This approach can be slightly more complex depending on your current employment situation and goals.

Some physicians want to have more control over how they practice medicine, so they decide to open an independent practice. Because you’re starting a new business, there’s a lot of planning, paperwork, and setup involved, including:

  • Drafting a business plan and practice guidelines
  • Finding a location and negotiating a lease
  • Designing and furnishing an office
  • Hiring staff
  • Marketing your services
  • Confirming your credentials
  • Getting the appropriate electronic health records system

While starting a new practice offers more flexibility, it also requires more work and carries a higher risk.

If you’re currently employed by a health system or another provider, you’ll need to review your current employment contract to see if there are any non-compete clauses or other non-solicit and geographical restrictions. Even if allowed, some of your patients may not be willing or able to pay for services. Additionally, as part of concierge medicine, you have a smaller patient panel overall, so the number of patients you see will decrease.

Find Employment with Someone Offering the Concierge Model (Uncommon)

Joining an existing practice that uses the concierge medicine model can be an easier way for physicians to become concierge doctors, but it’s uncommon. There aren’t many opportunities to join an existing practice, and when there are, the application process can be competitive.

The main benefit of joining an existing practice is that it’s already established. If the practice is recruiting a new doctor, it’s likely successful, with full patient panels and a good reputation. They may have a patient waitlist, so you won’t have to worry as much about building your patient panel from scratch.

Existing practices usually have staff who can help you with the concierge transition — from credentialing and marketing to transferring patients and following other legal requirements.

In some cases, you may be able to acquire the concierge practice of a retiring physician. This may require substantial upfront investment, but you won’t have to build the practice from scratch. Often, you can take over the lease and existing staff will stay with the practice and help you transition.

Find the Right Healthcare Business Model for You

If you’re experiencing physician burnout and are ready to transition into or start a concierge medical practice, know that you have options.

Each approach has pros and cons. Transitioning an existing practice may improve patient experience, but it takes time and may not work for all your patients. Starting a new practice gives you more control but also involves a lot of risk. Finally, joining an existing concierge practice or acquiring one from a retiring physician may take out some of the risk.

Whatever approach you take, there are resources available — including MDVIP. We go beyond concierge medicine to support physicians who want to offer more personalized patient care. Talk to us today to see how we can help you successfully transition your practice. MDVIP works with all kinds of physicians and can help you transition an existing practice, start up an independent practice or acquire an MDVIP-affiliated practice from a retiring physician.

People Also Ask

A concierge doctor typically sees a smaller patient panel of between 300–500 patients, compared to 2,000–3,000 patients at a traditional practice.

There are no guarantees that you will make more money operating in a membership-based model. Most doctors don’t make the switch for money, but for personal and professional reasons. By seeing fewer patients, they are able to have a better work-life balance. One major financial benefit of these types of models: doctors aren’t completely reliant on third-party payments. Membership fees help keep revenue flowing and make practice finances more reliable.

Yes, some doctors operate in a hybrid model. A physician might use a traditional primary care model but reserve several hours each week to care for patients using concierge medicine. However, most physicians who practice in concierge-style practices typically avoid this approach due to regulatory and customer service issues.