subject: All About Concierge Medicine [print this page] No one can afford to take his or her health lightly. Each one of us aims for the best possible treatment and result if we encounter a health problem. But sometimes, the healthcare system itself makes it very hard to find the right service, the right doctor, in the right time, to get the right treatment as quickly as possible. Even if you are covered with health insurance, you have to follow all the rules of that health plan, which could mean, going to a doctor thats in the network even though you wanted someone else, or opting for a lower quality service or diagnostic test because of cost reasons.
For this reason, patients are moving towards concierge medicine. This practice became popular in 1996. Since then people have gradually discovered the benefits of concierge physicians. According to the American Academy of Private Physicians (AAPP), there are about 3,500 concierge doctors in the nation currently.
With concierge medicine, the patient gets the undivided attention of the doctor they choose, at all times. The doctor offers personalized services and plans for patients to purchase directly. There are other benefits such as having the doctors cell phone number, having the doctor available 24/7 to contact avoiding unnecessary emergency or urgent care visits, and having longer visits with your doctor when you go for office visits. Appointments are same or next day. Your health records are updated and available online instantly after each visit. Essentially, concierge medicine works like a freeform healthcare marketplace, where patients decide what services and plans they want for their primary or specialty care. Then additionally, patients can purchase a high-deductible plan to cover for a catastrophic or chronic condition.
With all the benefits, that concierge medicine has to offer, this is being seen as a worthy investment. A few years back, it was thought that direct primary care is a luxury that only the super rich could afford. However, breaking the myth, a concierge physician can cost as less as $50 a year. For this simple cost, there are multiple advantages that come along with it.
The concierge doctor normally attends to a less number of patients than a regular doctor. Doctors are therefore, able to spend more time on your health and give more personalized attention to your healthcare needs. You can have more frequent check-ups done reducing the possibility of a serious ailment starting in the first place. The lab work is taken care of by the doctor himself. You do not need to wait for days and weeks to get your appointments; your doctor is always available for you.
When you have decided to go for a concierge physician, the next step is to choose the doctor. From a doctors point of view, concierge medicine does not mean less work, but more satisfying work. In fact, doctors and their offices spend 50% of their time simply dealing with the insurance companies. With concierge medicine, doctors can reduce this time spent dealing with administration, allowing them to spend more time on their patients. Not only is it more rewarding for them on the financial front but also the work that they do is more fulfilling. Make sure that you go through the profile of the doctor carefully before coming to a conclusion. Compare the direct primary care or specialty care services and plans offered by various concierge physicians, to choose what is best for your needs. A true healthcare marketplace also allows you to rate your experience, so be sure to review others ratings and rate your own experience.
