What Is “Concierge” or Membership Medicine?
Membership Medicine (also commonly called Concierge Medicine) refers to those primary care and family practice physicians who have chosen to provide healthcare services in a more convenient, accessible and cost efficient manner to their patients. These physicians charge patients a membership fee ranging from $600 to $1,800/year and higher. In exchange for this fee, membership medicine practices generally include 24/7 access to a personal physicians’ cell phone, same-day appointments with no waiting, personal coordination of care with specialists, personal follow up when admitted to a hospital or ER, house calls, and more.
While a typical physician can carry a patient load of 2,500+ patients, a membership medicine physician generally limits their practice to between 300-600 patients or more. Membership medicine is also referred to as: concierge medicine; boutique medicine; retainer-based medicine; concierge health care; cash only practice; direct care; private medical home; and direct practice medicine. While all membership medicine practices share similarities, they vary widely in their structure, payment requirements, and form of operation. In particular, they differ in the level of service provided and the amount of the fee charged.
