Concierge Doctor

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gauss Sounds like your Doc may have traded one bureaucracy for another. I hope it works out for you and your Doc but I certainly hope that this does not emerge as the main DPC model.

It hadn't occurred to me that this model would be a business opportunity for consultants who would help docs set them up and ten rake off an administrative fee, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

Wonder if they tell docs to drop patients who have too many issues and need too much attention.

[marko]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gauss Wow -- I always thought one of the advantages of DPC was to get all the administrative stuff off the table and just practice medicine for a reasonable monthly cash payment. Sounds like your Doc may have traded one bureaucracy for another. I hope it works out for you and your Doc but I certainly hope that this does not emerge as the main DPC model. -gauss

This isn't the model my doctor uses. He's entirely free-standing without any 'agency' involved. He did use a consultant specializing in this to get everything set up but now he reports to no one.

[braumeister]

My doc is on sort of a hybrid concierge plan. He still bills insurance for everything, but I pay him a separate fee every year. It started out at $350 about 8 years ago and is now up to $500 a year.

For my fee, I get:

• same day appointment whenever needed, or next morning if I call late in afternoon
• as long as I need for any appointment, which usually means about 30-45 minutes
• phone consultations when I'm traveling
• email access for routine questions
• various other services as needed

Very happy with this arrangement, and so is the doc. He commented to me that it completely took the stress out of his life (which had been considerable), and he enjoys coming to work now. He actually likes 95% of his patients (not sure which group I'm in ).

So it's not exactly a concierge practice, but a good plan that works for us.

[athena53]

Quote:

Originally Posted by braumeister So it's not exactly a concierge practice, but a good plan that works for us.

What you described is exactly what I'd go for once I get a few things that need monitoring. Not there yet.

[braumeister]

Quote:

Originally Posted by athena53 What you described is exactly what I'd go for once I get a few things that need monitoring. Not there yet.

Yes, it's good for us, since DW has a couple of permanent prescriptions that should be monitored. Fortunately, I don't fall in that category yet, but we both really like our doc so it's money well spent.