You’ve probably been through the aggravation of waiting for weeks or months to see a doctor, only to be forced to wait in a reception area for hours after you finally get an appointment.
A recent study of physicians found that the average wait time for new patients to visit a doctor in the United States is roughly 24 days. This represents a 30 percent rise since 2014. And once they’ve arrived, would-be patients should plan to wait for an average of roughly 18 minutes before being seen by a medical professional.
It should, therefore, not come as a surprise that an increasing number of people in the United States are signing up for tailored medical services, which are sometimes referred to as either concierge medicine or direct primary care (DPC).
As per the American Academy of Family Physicians, the typical cost of these sorts of practices, in which patients pay a fee on a monthly or annual basis in exchange for direct access to their physician, can range anywhere from $77 to $183 each month. Still, it’s worth it as soon as you see its benefits.
Advantages of Utilizing Concierge Medicine
There will be no more waiting around for appointments.
According to research conducted by Vitals in 2018, patients wait an estimated 18 minutes and 13 seconds to see a physician.
These inconveniences are eliminated with concierge medicine. The vast majority of concierge medical practices offer sick care appointments on the same day or the following day, with virtually no queuing at the office. You get consultations quickly, and your sessions start on time.
Obtaining care anytime, day or night, brings comfort and a sense of security.
The no-waiting policy and the additional time spent with your doctor do not end when you leave the doctor’s office. Access to care is typically available around the clock at concierge offices.
We are not going to discuss voicemails or responses that are several days late. According to the practice, we are talking about communications on your health and treatment, which may take place over the phone or by email.
In what ways does that impact you? Aside from the fact that it is astonishingly handy, you also get the ease that comes with knowing that you will receive the treatment you require at the time you require it.
More time to concentrate on providing proactive and individualized treatment to patients
The average number of patients a concierge physician sees annually is between 400 and 600, whereas a standard primary care physician sees between 2,000 and 3,000 patients. As a result, concierge physicians can devote more time to each patient.
Most concierge practices guarantee meetings that can continue for at least thirty minutes. This provides you with the time to talk about your entire health picture and put into action a strategy that emphasizes sickness prevention as the primary concern. We won’t have to rush through our appointments anymore and end up leaving with more concerns than answers.
When it comes to your health journey, many concierge services also incorporate health services and health counseling to provide additional support and motivation.
The use of virtual correspondence eliminates the requirement to make an unnecessary journey to the office.
When we talk about phone calls and emails, we should mention that these forms of contact can occasionally save you the trouble of driving to the workplace. The majority of concierge services are proficient in resolving straightforward things in this manner at your request.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, most medical offices have used telehealth, enabling patients to consult their primary care physician from the convenience of their homes using a computer, phone, or tablet.
Coordinated Care
Simplifying communication between your primary care physician and any specialists you see so that everyone’s medication can work together in a good direction for you is referred to as “quarterbacking.”
Several concierge practices offer further assistance in the process of booking any necessary visits with specialists. Your concierge practice will make all the necessary appointments for you, so you won’t need to waste time calling other experts in the hopes of getting one during the day.
You won’t have to worry about making appointments, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your primary care physician will be informed of any suggestions made by your specialist. This allows your PCP to examine your health as a whole.
Concierge Medicine Drawbacks
Dues for memberships may be too expensive.
There is no getting around the fact that concierge medicine can be quite expensive. We would like it if American healthcare changed such that you could receive convenient, individualized treatment without paying more. Concierge doctors, however, make money under the current system by collecting a membership fee.
There are still a few extra out-of-pocket expenses.
A concierge membership does not fully replace health insurance. As a regular primary care physician, you should anticipate paying the same out-of-pocket costs for specialist appointments, medicines, and hospital stays.
Concierge medicine and conventional primary care are likely to function similarly regarding how your health insurance handles some of these costs. This means that you should ensure that your insurance policy covers the extent of your projected demand in these areas.
Some insurance companies limit collaboration.
To be clear, most concierge businesses accept insurance from various insurance providers – not for membership, but for services. Nevertheless, some practices take fewer insurance providers than a regular practice, and many concierge clinics don’t accept Medicare or Tricare.
Are you thinking about using concierge medicine?
If you choose concierge care, you will have a better overall experience with your healthcare, but you should be aware of the fees and restrictions associated with the system.
Your expectations can be more accurately set if you thoroughly study the business as a whole and your local physician. Reading articles like this one demonstrates that you are an informed customer, which is a wonderful indication.
Do you have more questions regarding the services that concierge care provides? Since Gentle Giant Care LLC is here to provide you with concierge medicine, you may not find it necessary to explore further for the answers you want. Call up the clinic to find out more information!
