What Does Concierge Medicine Cover?
Imagine medical cover without the waiting or the co-pay or the deductibles – sounds like a dream, right? That's the promise of concierge medicine. Once solely the domain of the wealthy, concierge medicine has expanded significantly in recent years, becoming a popular alternative to the insurance system.
Concierge medicine – also known as retainer medicine, membership medicine, or boutique medicine – is a primary care service that pairs patients with doctors. For a flat monthly fee, patients receive unlimited visits with their doctor – without any co-pays or hidden charges. Also, all simple diagnostic and blood tests are included in the price.
Better still, if you wish to see a specialist physician, many concierge doctors can refer you ahead of other patients – though there may be some additional costs.
Small wonder that so many patients and doctors are going to concierge medicine. However, despite its growth, there remains much confusion about what concierge medicine covers. That's what we're answering in this post.
What does concierge medicine cover?
Under the concierge medicine system, patients are covered for all their doctor's visits – including telephone calls, emails, texts, and other forms of communication. Concierge doctors don't have as many patients under their name, meaning they've got more time for each one. That's why they can offer next-day appointments that last longer than a rushed 15 minutes.
Patients in the insurance system often see multiple doctors; in contrast, the concierge model delivers unrivaled personalized medicine. Your doctor knows your conditions and medical history, ensuring you receive a much higher standard of care.
In addition to the same-day or next-day appointment, common standard care, including wound treatment, blood work, physicals, and preventive screening, are all part of the monthly fee – no extra payments are required.
Common medications are offered at a discount price in some practices, e.g., antibiotics or antidepressants. Others work closely with specialist physicians to deliver reduced prices for high-level care, including tests like x-rays or MRIs. That's not standard across the industry, however, differing on an practice-by-practice basis.
The pros and cons of concierge medicine
Concierge medicine sounds a far better option than traditional insurance-based care – and often, it is. However, nothing is perfect; it's important to balance the pros and cons of this popular medical care model.
Pros of concierge medicine
Unlimited access to primary care services. Easy access to a doctor or nurse is what most people wish for out of their medical care, excluding the co-pay or fee. With same-day or next-day appointments available on-demand, concierge medicine can help all patients, particularly those with chronic conditions.
Personalized medicine. Endlessly explaining your medical history is as tiring as it is monotonous. Patients need a doctor who understands their case. In fact, concierge doctors have the time to go away and read about the latest treatments, delivering tailored medical care.
No hidden costs. In the insurance system, paying to see a doctor is standard. Not so in concierge medicine; there are no co-pays or deductibles.
Standard care is covered. Even basic medical care, such as blood tests, screenings, and wound treatment, are included within the monthly or annual fee.
Cons of concierge medicine
High cost. Despite the reduced price of concierge medicine, it's still an expensive option for some people. Membership fees can vary between practices. And many still require regular insurance. However, concierge medicine can mean significant savings for people with chronic conditions.
Health insurance is still required. While some people opt to go solely with concierge medicine, insurance is still needed for hospitalizations and specialty referrals. Some plans allow you to include concierge medicine alongside these options.
Why are doctors going to concierge medicine?
Most doctors didn't get into medicine to charge patients a co-pay for a rushed 15-minute appointment. They want to help patients, spending time devising treatment plans and improving the quality of care.
Concierge medicine allows doctors to spend longer with patients. Having fewer patients under their name cuts down their caseload from thousands to hundreds. No more time constraints. No more excessive payment.
Indeed, with more time to spare, doctors can deliver better quality care. Whether it's a chronic heart condition or a mental illness, spending longer delving into the details almost always leads to better outcomes.
Perhaps the most alluring reason is the simplest: less paperwork. Doctors go into medicine to see patients, and while paperwork is part of the job, it shouldn't drown out everything else. In past decades, medicine has drifted farther and farther away from treating patients. More time is spent doing insurance paperwork, ensuring the patient pays.
If you're considering switching to concierge medicine, OSRA Medical should be top of your list. We're a personalized medical provider, delivering unparalleled LGBTQ+ care. Speak to our team for details about joining.