Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Oligopolies

“I really didn’t have any conflict over making the move to concierge medicine. I had fought the HMOs and insurance oligopolies for years. I knew that the system was corrupt, and I learned that I could not change that system.”(Dr. Steven Knope)

Concierge medicine is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee. This may (or may not) be in addition to other charges. In exchange for the fee, doctors agree to provide enhanced care including principally a commitment to limit patient loads to ensure adequate time and availability for each patient.

While all concierge 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 fee charged. U.S. doctor estimates practicing concierge medicine range from fewer than 800 to 5,000. If you’re considering signing up for this form of medical care, here’s what you need to know about concierge medicine: 

And get to know all about you. The opportunity to build a relationship with a doctor is a top selling point. Your annual physical may include preventive procedures that insurance plans are not required to cover under the Affordable Care Act, such as an expanded blood panel and screening for Alzheimer's disease. Concierge doctors are able to give patients quicker diagnoses.

They can order tests and read the results in a matter of days for a patient, then arrange then arrange the needed procedures for a serious condition. The process would likely have taken weeks at another practice—and left the patient anxiously waiting results for much longer.

Check your insurance. The relationship between health coverage and concierge care varies from state to state and practice to practice. Your health policy may cover procedures that the retainer doesn't cover, such as laboratory tests and diagnostic screenings. You'll likely have to pay out of pocket for the membership fee, although you may be able to use funds from a flexible spending account (or health savings account) to pay it.

Find the right doctor. Start with the American Academy of Private Physicians, which offers a search tool to locate concierge doctors by state. Or, search through a network of concierge phys­icians, such as Medical Doctor and Value in Prevention (MDVIP). Doctors affiliated with MDVIP charge a membership fee of $1,500 to $1,800 per year and limit their practices to no more than 600 patients. If you become ill while traveling, you may visit the nearest MDVIP doctor.

Is it worth it? If you’re exasperated with long waits or if enhanced preventive screenings will help you sleep better, concierge serv­ice may be for you. If, however, you already have strong relationships with high-quality doctors, concierge service may not provide much benefit. The Affordable Care Act will pull more patients into the health care system, and may result in more-crowded waiting rooms. Such overcrowding is unlikely in the affluent areas where concierge services operate.

Make a house call. Before you write a check, visit the doctor's office to see whether you like the practice. Ask how long appointments are and what services are included. Because concierge physicians limit the number of patients they see, you may end up on a waitlist for your doctor of choice.

The doctor will see you as soon as possible.  A small but growing number of doctors are using the concierge model to offer more-personalized care. Among the perks are the ability to contact your phys­ician at any time and to schedule same-day appointments. In return for this enhanced service, patients pay an annual or monthly fee, which often totals about $1,200 to $5,000 per year. Doctors who practice in expensive areas tend to charge a high fee may also mean, which means that they limit their practice to fewer patients.

 “When doctors talk about concierge medicine being “the oldest, new form of medicine,” they’re not speaking figuratively—they are trying to reframe the identity of their practice and an over-worked industry.” (Catherine Sykes) [i]





[i] Sources used:
·        “6 Things to Know About Concierge Medicine” By Lisa Gerstner

·        “Concierge medicine” From Wikipedia

·        “Pros and Cons of Concierge Medical Care” By Tracy Anderman

·        https://www.abbreviations.com/MDVIP

 

 Inspired by the show Royal Pains.

 

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