Concierge Medicine

[Anonymous]

I can rationalize paying $200/month for my cell phone and cable.
But no chance I am going to pay for that to care for my self and body. Right?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am so opposed to this trend.

They are charging you a retainer to be their patient.

Trying to work less and make more.

Cutting out all but wealthy patients..

Reeks of greed, but around here they can get away with it.

I’m not wealthy. The PCP I see has been dismissive a few times (including a tick bite and ear ringing)and I’m still paying for the service because it’s hard to find a PCP who reviews your lab test results immediately. I keep looking for a different doctor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can rationalize paying $200/month for my cell phone and cable.
But no chance I am going to pay for that to care for my self and body. Right?!

Well the thing is, most of us already pay hundreds each month just to have basic health coverage, and then it turns out that it’s still hard to access doctors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not in the DC area but my nephrologist just moved to a concierge practice. They accept no insurance. He said he could no longer deal with not having enough time for his patients and being micro managed by a big corporation. He was apologetic but said he has to make decisions about his career that are best for his family and that allowed him to give his patients the kind of care all should get.

I can't follow him because I can't afford it. It is definitely elite healthcare for those with money.

I understand, but this also means patients who can’t afford it aren’t getting care at all.

[Anonymous]

They keep using the excuse of insurance companies but many providers refuse to deal with them even before going concierge (i.e., they make the patient pay in full at time of service, and have to hound the company for reimbursement). So, that is BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m not comfortable with Amazon owning One Medical.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I loved one medical until I developed a serious medical condition. I was misdiagnosed, had bad side effects from meds they put me on and couldn’t reach my specific doctor because of their weird model, and was given advice that could have seriously harmed me. Fortunately I had two specialists at other practices who were highly responsive and helped undo the damage. I switched to a concierge doctor after all this and value that I can reach her specifically when I need her. One medical is really good for healthy people.

I agree with this, as a physician. One Medical may be fine for routine care but I wouldn't trust a one stop shop for all medical needs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can rationalize paying $200/month for my cell phone and cable.
But no chance I am going to pay for that to care for my self and body. Right?!

Well the thing is, most of us already pay hundreds each month just to have basic health coverage, and then it turns out that it’s still hard to access doctors.

But I bet you pay baggage fees for airlines that squish you into seats with crowbars and still have delays, right? Airlines charge a fortune now for what used to be included and still delivery crappy service and yet people use them … but think their medical care should be top flight and also low cost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can rationalize paying $200/month for my cell phone and cable.
But no chance I am going to pay for that to care for my self and body. Right?!

Well the thing is, most of us already pay hundreds each month just to have basic health coverage, and then it turns out that it’s still hard to access doctors.

But I bet you pay baggage fees for airlines that squish you into seats with crowbars and still have delays, right? Airlines charge a fortune now for what used to be included and still delivery crappy service and yet people use them … but think their medical care should be top flight and also low cost.

Your what-about-ism is getting loonier by the minute.

[Anonymous]

Okay continue to expect that your doctor will do more and more for no compensation and get back to use on your satisfaction with the care you’re receiving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay continue to expect that your doctor will do more and more for no compensation and get back to use on your satisfaction with the care you’re receiving.

Doctors get paid plenty.

[Anonymous]

Those of you who are happy with your concierge doctors, do you mind sharing names and their practice?

Over the last 15 years, I have been using concierge PCPs who were mainly Internists and I had mixed experience.

At first (15 years ago), you could really tell the difference between concierge and regular doctors (same day/next day appointments), no wait time, no rush appointments, 24 hr access to their emails, phone and text. They also helped get appointments with specialists in less time than you would get on your own.

Lately, I am seeing a different trend. Most highly regarded concierge doctors are not accepting new patients. The ones that are accepting new patients are hardly worth the extra money i a m paying. I am with MDVIP right now, appointments can take anywhere from couple of hours to couple days to schedule, long wait times in doctor’s office, no regular phlebotomist on premises, access to doctor via portal (can take 24-48 hours for doctor to reply). Recently, I had a test and it it took my doctor 2-3 weeks to get back to me after test results were available. No help with speeding up appointments with specialists either. I am hoping that this just one bad experience, so I am looking for a new good concierge doctor in Vienna/McLean/Fairfax area. Please post names if you know any who are taking new patients.

[Anonymous]

Correction for the above post. I am with PartnerMD now … my previous doctor was affiliated with MDVIP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm in the same boat with my PCP going concierge.

I have a rare condition being managed by specialists who respond quickly to questions.

The primary care doctor is not going to mess around with treatment for those conditions, which are well beyond her pay grade, so I wondering what value I'd get from paying such a large annual fee.

My specialist isn’t so easy for me to reach, but it’s easy for my concierge PCP to reach him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, my husband and I use one - $2k per year.

I love just breezing into her office to get my blood drawn without having to go to a hospital with all of it's sign-in's and insurance registrations. I love having access to her 24/7 by text or phone.

Her office is old-fashioned and cozy - not "clinical" - she also makes house calls. If I need a specialist she takes care of all of the referrals.

The health care system in this country is going to collapse eventually - I'm glad to have a relationship with a dedicated doctor beforehand.

There's plenty of regular Dr practices that offer blood draw. It's not just a fancy concierge thing. I've always had that at my basic PCPs.