Why Concierge Family Practice?
In a time when private insurance companies dictate more and more strictly how physicians can practice, concierge medicine is a viable and necessary shift back to how medicine should be practiced: with you, the patient, at heart.
Q: What is the difference between typical and "membership" Family Practice?
A: Nationally most typical family practice doctors have patient panels of between 1800 to 2000 (or more) people. With an average daily schedule of 20 patients or more, each appointment is limited to fifteen or twenty minutes. This only gives time for one or two patient issues. Often, doctors run late trying to balance between meeting patient's expectations and "productivity" requirements. Appointments can take many days or weeks to be scheduled, it's more difficult for doctors to return phone calls, and prescription refills can take up to three days or more to be sent to the pharmacy. As a consequence, people see their family practice doctor for routine visits and then over-utilize acute care clinics and emergency rooms when they are sick. This is more expensive and more likely to result in overuse of antibiotics or other treatments.
A: Nationally most typical family practice doctors have patient panels of between 1800 to 2000 (or more) people. With an average daily schedule of 20 patients or more, each appointment is limited to fifteen or twenty minutes. This only gives time for one or two patient issues. Often, doctors run late trying to balance between meeting patient's expectations and "productivity" requirements. Appointments can take many days or weeks to be scheduled, it's more difficult for doctors to return phone calls, and prescription refills can take up to three days or more to be sent to the pharmacy. As a consequence, people see their family practice doctor for routine visits and then over-utilize acute care clinics and emergency rooms when they are sick. This is more expensive and more likely to result in overuse of antibiotics or other treatments.
- Membership family practice with me guarantees that you're only one of 400 patients.
- Visits 30 to 60 minutes long allow you to address however many issues you want.
- Having 24/7 access by email or text means you can communicate and receive a response quickly from your doctor, often within the hour, including nights, weekends and holidays.
- Same day or next day appointments facilitate being seen when you need care.
- When safe to do so, prescriptions may be called in after telephone consultation, saving you a visit.
- Emphasis on preventative care and counseling is more likely to be done when you have the time, and the focus is on tailoring the visit to the specific needs of each individual.
Q: Why pay for a concierge membership?
A: It's about quality and getting your money's worth. Limiting the practice to 400 people would not be sustainable if not for the membership fees paid by the smaller number of patients seen. In exchange, less hassle, more time with your doctor, better quality, and better access to care is guaranteed.
A: It's about quality and getting your money's worth. Limiting the practice to 400 people would not be sustainable if not for the membership fees paid by the smaller number of patients seen. In exchange, less hassle, more time with your doctor, better quality, and better access to care is guaranteed.
Q: Can I use my insurance?
A: While our membership family practice doesn't submit bills to any insurance, what we do provide are receipts for care that you can submit to your private insurance for reimbursement for services rendered.
A: While our membership family practice doesn't submit bills to any insurance, what we do provide are receipts for care that you can submit to your private insurance for reimbursement for services rendered.
Q: Are payment plans available?
A: Yes.
A: Yes.
- Payments can be made quarterly or lump sum for the year.
- Other payment options can be discussed.
- The plans are affordable and tailored to meet your needs - comprehensive plans for people who need more care or frequent follow up, less expensive plans for people who want ready access but don't have chronic conditions that require frequent visits to the office.
- Family discounts are also available!