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Concierge Medicine – The Basics
Personalized healthcare has disappeared in America. From heavy reimbursement limitations to the secondary effects of recent healthcare regulations, most doctors can no longer afford to spend quality time with their patients. Concierge medicine aims to reverse this trend. The concept behind concierge medicine is simple – physicians provide enhanced services and more personalized care to their patients in exchange for a retainer fee. Typical “enhanced” services include after-hours phone, email and other electronic communications, extended office visits, easier scheduling and faster access to in-office appointments, house calls and an array of other customization options. The services offered by a doctor depend on his or her specific concierge program. It’s also important to understand that concierge medicine is not a substitute for insurance and it does not replicate services already covered by insurance.
Now that you’re familiar with the basics of concierge medicine, you might be asking yourself, “Is concierge medicine for me?” The answer to this question depends on whether you desire or require the highest level of access and care from your physician. Many patients with chronic illness opt for concierge program membership to take advantage of extended consultation and treatment. Instead of relying on weekly or monthly visits to their doctors, these patients improve the quality of their healthcare experience through daily communication with their doctors. On the other hand, healthy patients utilize concierge medicine as a means of maintaining their favorable health through nutritional counseling, health education and disease prevention. Whatever your needs may be, as a member of a concierge program, your doctor is just a phone call or email away. The bottom line is – if you’re looking for more access, time and focus from your doctor, then concierge medicine is for you.
How MDprime fits into the picture
As concierge medicine has grown in popularity, physicians around the country have begun to rely on the services of third-party concierge medicine managers. Through expert guidance and program administration, these companies help ensure that doctors and patients get the most out of the concierge medicine experience.
MDprime is not your typical concierge medicine management company. Unlike most other management companies, MDprime was co-founded by a physician. Leveraging MDprime’s physician co-founder’s insights into the medical field, we’ve modeled our concierge program to directly counteract the epidemic of poor patient satisfaction in America. We offer our affiliated doctors an opportunity to transform their practices and provide their patients with a truly personalized level of care.
As a member of an MDprime-affiliated concierge program, you’ll experience the following advantages over other concierge programs:
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Concierge medicine with your doctor
Many concierge medicine companies advertise to patients through each patient’s primary care doctor, however, patients are often randomly placed with other doctors in the network. At MDprime, you’ll be partnered with your doctor, as long as your doctor is one of our affiliated physicians.
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Focus on tech
MDprime places great emphasis on the integration of technology in healthcare. Members of MDprime concierge programs benefit from the latest HIPAA compliant messaging and email, online health education materials and more.
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Hybrid model
You’ll be happy to hear that some MDprime affiliated doctors utilize the “hybrid” model of concierge medicine. The hybrid model allows doctors to maintain their regular practices while offering concierge medicine as an additional practice feature. What this means for you is that there’s no pressure to join and if you ever feel like discontinuing your membership, you’ll be able to continue seeing your doctor as you had in the past.
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Options
At MDprime, we understand that people like options. Most doctors affiliated with MDprime offer two levels of membership – the standard option, for patients that simply desire more access to their doctors, and the extended option, for patients that require the ultimate level of contact, including house calls (see below).
Membership options
The majority of doctors affiliated with MDprime offer two levels of membership – the standard option and the extended option.
Questionnaire
If you’re interested in learning more about the services offered by our affiliated physicians, please provide us with the following information. (Note: Do not use this questionnaire to transmit Protected Health Information or any other private health information. We disclaim all warranties regarding the privacy and confidentiality of any information submitted through this questionnaire.)
FAQs
Will insurance cover my membership fee?
No. Medicare and private health insurance will not reimburse you for your membership fee. The services you’ll receive as a member are separate from and not covered by insurance. If you have an FSA or HSA, please consult your tax adviser to determine if the membership fee may be covered by your plan.
Can I cancel my membership?
Yes. MDprime and its affiliated physicians are fully committed to providing patients with a superior concierge medicine experience. If you would like to cancel your membership at any time, contact MDprime directly. Please keep in mind that cancellations are subject to 30 days prior written notice. However, once your cancellation is processed, you will be provided a refund of the remaining portion of your pre-paid membership.
How do I renew my membership?
MDprime will automatically renew your membership on an annual basis. If you would like to terminate your membership prior to renewal, please contact MDprime.
Whom should I contact if I have a question about membership fees and billing?
As the manager of your doctor’s concierge program, MDprime is best suited to take care of any billing inquiry you might have. Contact MDprime directly and we’ll handle any questions you have related to membership fees and billing.
What is the typical price of membership?
The price of standard membership usually falls within an $1800-$2200 range, depending on the particular doctor’s program and the services provided. Extended membership rates tend to vary more significantly. Interested patients should speak with their physicians or contact MDprime directly for specific details. While the price of membership may seem high to some, keep in mind that membership in a concierge program represents a valuable investment in one’s health. Some people spend thousands per year on gym memberships and fitness products, while others choose to protect their health and enhance the care they receive through round-the-clock access to their physicians.
If I become a member, will my doctor continue to accept my health insurance?
It’s important to note that membership in a concierge program is not an insurance plan. The amenities and enhanced services you’ll receive as a member are separate from and not covered by insurance. At office visits, your doctor will continue to accept health insurance as he or she would with any other patient.
Describe a typical concierge program member?
Concierge program members represent a diverse population. It’s a common misconception that concierge medicine is only for specific groups of patients (i.e., the sickest or wealthiest patients). We’ve found that it’s fairly difficult to describe a “typical” concierge program member. However, all program members share a common desire to improve their health and healthcare experiences through the highest level of access to their doctors.
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