As concierge medicine becomes increasingly popular, patients are enjoying longer doctor’s appointments, better relationships with their physicians, and higher-quality care. For a recurring monthly fee, patients receive direct, quality access to their physicians. Combined, these factors enable concierge doctors to take a holistic approach to their patients’ health concerns, treating them with individualized health plans that don’t just minimize presenting symptoms but improve all-around health. In this blog, we’re diving into these factors and other reasons why concierge medicine is a smart investment for patients.

In a 2018 study, it was determined that the average wait time for patients in a conventional medical practice was about 18 minutes. This doesn’t take into account, of course, the days or weeks it can take to actually book an appointment. Interestingly enough, the average appointment time with conventional medicine physicians is 15 minutes, meaning that patients are likely to spend more time waiting for their physician than actually seeing them. When you take into account that the average patient only speaks for an average of 5 minutes during a doctor’s visit, the situation seems even more imbalanced. Extreme time limitations in conventional care mean that patients can pay high costs, even after insurance, for less than 20 minutes of time with their doctor.

Concierge medicine rejects this rushed model of care. Patients in a concierge medical practice can book same-day appointments with their doctors, and the average concierge visit at Robinson MD, for example, provides approximately 45 minutes of face to face time with the physician if needed.

With most insurance driven practices, it’s necessary to go through a bureaucratic process in order to get in front of your doctor: booking an appointment with an office administrator over the phone or online, filling out a series of forms in-office, spending time with a PA or nurse at the beginning of your appointment, and then – maybe – getting to see a physician.

Concierge medicine offers patients invaluable direct access to their physician. Rather than having calls or messages fielded by office administrators, patients in a concierge plan can communicate with their physician via text or phone regarding any questions or concerns about their health. This means having quality care in the palm of your hand.

Of course, more time with your physician and more access to him or her outside of appointments lends itself to higher-quality care in general. Specifically, this opens new doors when it comes to your preventive care. Working with a concierge physician means having access to sophisticated medical technology, such as genetic mapping, in order to outline your unique medical roadmap. This means that your concierge physician knows not only which symptoms you’re experiencing, but the genetic susceptibilities that may be at play in causing these symptoms. Genetic testing is also extremely valuable for lifestyle recommendations, such as which diets and activity regimens will prove most effective for you. Most importantly, genetic testing is perhaps the most effective way to determine which health issues you may be facing in the future, allowing your physician to make a plan for the most effective preventive care possible.

In the concierge medical model, patients pay a monthly fee in exchange for round-the-clock care. The monthly fee will depend on a variety of factors, including your physician, their location, and the services offered in your concierge program, among others. That said, the direct attention, personalized care, and uninterrupted time that comprise the concierge model of care are valuable parts of the program.

When you work with a concierge physician who takes a functional approach to medicine, you’re working with a doctor who is committed to getting to the root of any issues you’re experiencing. This means that, rather than isolating your symptoms and writing you a prescription in minutes, your concierge physician digs deep. They examine your symptoms in tandem with your lifestyle habits (diet, exercise level, stress, sleep, etc.), medical history, genetic information, psychological health, and a variety of other factors in order to find long-term solutions – and, even more importantly, catch potentially serious health issues early.

There are so many reasons why concierge medicine is a smart investment in your health, but they all amount to this: uninterrupted access to your physician and effective holistic treatment. To learn more about concierge medicine and get started with your health plan, schedule a consultation with us.