Why More People Are Opting For Concierge Medical Care
When we hear the words "concierge medicine," we often think of medical care that is for CEOS, celebrities and the top 1% of income earners. This is a misconception. Concierge medicine is becoming more mainstream for busy individuals who need more than what the average insurance-driven medical model has to offer. It's for those who insist on a higher level of service, don't have time for limited appointment times and who want to put their health first.
Traditional Medicine
Traditional medical practices operate on the model of volume, often seeing over 30 patients per day, per provider. Even with providers seeing such large numbers, the demand is still exceptionally high. On average, Americans wait roughly 24 days to see a new doctor, a 30% increase since 2014. Once patients arrive at their long-awaited appointment, they can expect to sit and wait to be seen for at least 20 minutes (AARP). The pandemic has increased wait times for first-time appointments to weeks, if not months, as well as wait times for individual appointments thereafter.
In the traditional model, appointment length varies by physician, but often 10-15 minutes is allocated per patient. Physical examinations, which can be the lengthiest, are still only given 30-45 minutes and contain routine orders, which may include an EKG and a few lab tests. After the appointment, the results may be placed in a patient portal for online viewing or there may be a follow-up visit scheduled. Also in this model, after-hours are usually split between the doctors within the group and are for emergencies only. How emergencies are handled vary from clinic to clinic.
A traditional medical practice can set fees that are dictated by the insurance contracts they have entered. These fees are due at the time of service. Those fortunate enough to have health insurance will often pay a copay or a coinsurance balance. If there is a high deductible, the deductible must be met before the insurance company will contribute.
The traditional model is designed to treat the masses in a one-size-fits-all way. Because of constraints placed on the medical practices by the insurance companies they contract with, some services may not be offered. Insurance companies are notorious for discounting their reimbursement to doctors, which means less time with the doctor for the patient and more patients for the doctor to see.
What Is Concierge Medicine?
Concierge physicians see fewer patients by design. Many concierge doctors have left the traditional model of medicine because of burnout or a lack of professional satisfaction. Since they don’t answer to insurance companies, they can practice medicine in a more individualized fashion and without the expense of a billing and coding office.
The goal of the concierge physician is to develop a relationship with the patient so that they can offer a level of service that is missing in the traditional model. These physicians are often focused on solving the patient’s problem by determining the root cause. At its core, the concierge model is designed to help people live longer and healthier lives.
“Staying on the cutting edge of medicine is rewarding," says J. Mark Anderson, M.D., M.P.H., a founding partner of Executive Medicine of Texas. "In the traditional model of health care, both patients and doctors are unsatisfied. What we’re able to do at Executive Medicine of Texas is a win/win. We enjoy our work and patients get as much attention as they need.”
Some concierge practices, like Executive Medicine of Texas, have patients come in for an executive-style physical exam prior to starting a concierge program. These types of exams last a half-day and include a multitude of tests.
“Our goal is to teach our clients as much about their individual health as we can," Dr. Anderson says. "Sometimes we’re testing micronutrient levels, food sensitivities, or even DNA sequences for weight loss and aging. No two people are the same, so my advice varies based on the dictates of the individual’s needs and biological makeup. It’s amazing what we can do when we have the time and resources to do it.”
The concierge model may differ from practice to practice, but they are mostly based on cash pay and they don’t involve insurance companies in their process. Some practices include a physical exam, office visits, lab work, imaging and more, while others may only include access to the doctor. A few concierge practices provide coded receipts to the patient for possible reimbursement from their insurance provider.
Benefits Of Concierge Medicine
Perhaps the greatest benefit of concierge medicine is a higher level of service. Most concierge doctors, like those at Executive Medicine of Texas, give their cell phone number to the patient, thus making them "on call" for their needs. This can be especially important for patients who travel internationally or have specific medical needs over the weekend.
Concierge medicine focuses on preventative care while also addressing episodic care and disease management. Being proactive can potentially save the patient future health care costs. Since most diseases are reversible if caught early or in some cases preventable altogether, preventative measures can save the patient not just money, but the heartache of chronic disease. Even if a patient doesn't have any major health concerns, research shows that those who stay abreast of their health live longer.
The Big Problem Concierge Medicine Solves
Access to quality health care has been increasingly hard to find. The pandemic has only amplified this deficit. Since the availability of a primary care physician has a direct correlation to the overall lifespan of a patient, this is a problem that must be addressed. The system, which for far too long has hindered the patient/doctor relationship, isn’t going to be fixed any time soon, if at all. Concierge medicine offers patients a workaround to the system and puts them back in the driver’s seat.
Overall, concierge practices like Executive Medicine of Texas provide access and personalization that restores the bond necessary for an individual, proactive approach. If you haven’t yet explored the concierge model of medicine, now is a good time to do so.
