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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]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.[/quote]

I'm OP and the thing is, I'm not wealthy.  This would be a big financial sacrifice.[/quote]

Doctor here. I am not a concierge doctor but it makes a lot of sense to me. The fee covers all the work doctors have historically been unfairly asked to do for free (and for which other professions, like lawyers, charge by the hour and much more): phone calls, talking to pharmacies, arguing with your insurer, completing disability and other forms, consulting other doctors we know, and more. In addition these are some diseases and some patients that require a lot of hand holding and are very labor intensive. There are still others who are entitled and expect to be treated as the exception and like VIPs. For all these people, concierge medicine is appropriate. And frankly, knowing what goes on behind the scenes, and how difficult access is right now PSLF-COVID, $2K annually is a bargain in these times.[/quote]

Would much rather skip eating out 3-4 times per month and pay the $250 for better service/care and a doctor who is not rushed and overworked.  We think it is worth the cost and realize that insurance sucks and doctors do not get paid much relatively speaking, hence the 5-6 appts per hour.

When my kids were little (15 years ago), the Ped would charge $120 for a well baby visit, and our insurance would pay $35--the negotiated rate. So $35*4=$140.  $140/hour for the nurse responsible for you, the front desk staff, the IT staff, the office costs and HVAC/utilities, and the doctor and their malpractice insurance, etc.  In the grand scheme they are NOT making very much for their education levels.  [/quote]

Except many concierge practices do not do these things.  I've been a patient at Foxhall Internists, and I can guarantee you they are not calling pharmacies or arguing with insurers.  Most concierge docs like FH won't even take insurance or even Medicare.  So, you are paying out of pocket AND paying a yearly retainer.

As far as "coordination," my experience has been that when something is hard, they give you a referral to a specialist just like any other doctor would give you.  I have filled out so many hipaa forms but my concierge doc has never actually picked up the phone to discuss my condition, disease, etc. with another provider (even when she said she would because it was so serious).  The more money they make, the less they work for you.  Concierge is like an income floor that is super high-takes away any incentive.[/quote]

It’s safe to say you don’t know what they do. [/quote]

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