I'm curious to know if anyone here has experiences to share (positive or negative) with this fairly new model for doctor access. For those unfamiliar with the model, here's a good concise explanation:
"What Is Concierge Medicine?
Concierge Medicine is a form of membership in which doctors provide medical care to Patients generally providing 24/7 access, a cell phone number to connect directly with their physician, same-day appointments, visits that last as long as it takes to address their needs and varying other amenities. In exchange for this enhanced access and personal attention, the Concierge Doctor receives a fee (most fees average between $135-$150/mo., which enables them to increase the amount of time they spend with patients."
Source: ConciergeMedicineToday.com, 2014)
Friends of ours in Portland, OR have been very happy with their doctor's switch from a more typical group practice to the concierge model. Looking at how hard it is to get access to primary care doctors in the two U.S. states we've lived in most recently (Colorado and Arizona), due largely to huge increase in demand due to ACA's Medicaid expansion, I've been wondering if signing up for a concierge doc and then managing taxable income to keep within Medicaid eligibility limits and using the latter for hospital/emergency care only might not be a good way to deal with the current state of health insurance madness.
"What Is Concierge Medicine?
Concierge Medicine is a form of membership in which doctors provide medical care to Patients generally providing 24/7 access, a cell phone number to connect directly with their physician, same-day appointments, visits that last as long as it takes to address their needs and varying other amenities. In exchange for this enhanced access and personal attention, the Concierge Doctor receives a fee (most fees average between $135-$150/mo., which enables them to increase the amount of time they spend with patients."
Source: ConciergeMedicineToday.com, 2014)
Friends of ours in Portland, OR have been very happy with their doctor's switch from a more typical group practice to the concierge model. Looking at how hard it is to get access to primary care doctors in the two U.S. states we've lived in most recently (Colorado and Arizona), due largely to huge increase in demand due to ACA's Medicaid expansion, I've been wondering if signing up for a concierge doc and then managing taxable income to keep within Medicaid eligibility limits and using the latter for hospital/emergency care only might not be a good way to deal with the current state of health insurance madness.