A really private practice

Thursday, March 16, 2006

A really private practice

So-called concierge doctors charge an annual retainer so they can spend more time with a limited clientele.

By COURTNEY PERKES
The Orange County Register

(snip)

For a price, typically $1,500 a year, patients are treated like customers. They receive same-day appointments without a wait, their doctor's cell-phone number, and comprehensive physicals that emphasize prevention and lifestyle coaching. Most of the practices still accept Medicare and private insurance.

(snip)

The retainer model was born out of frustration with the hurried nature of modern medicine. Doctors complain that they must see more and more patients to keep up with rising costs and diminishing insurance payments. Sick patients feel resentment when they can't get appointments or when doctors are rushed.

Nationwide, about 300 doctors have opened retainer practices, with a handful in Orange County. The idea also has a corporate model, Florida-based MDVIP. The company, which helps doctors transition their practices and collects a portion of the annual fee, has one affiliated doctor in the county and will add a second next month.

Some health-care watchdogs worry that the trend will create inequities in care based on income. They say all people should be entitled to quality, thorough care. Lawmakers have asked federal officials to monitor concierge doctors and have expressed concern about patients who lose their doctors to others who agree to pay the retainer.

(snip)


http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/money/abox/article_1052006.php

and a doctor who will really listen to you, work with you on wellness/diet/etc, you don't have to pay this retainer. I know of one doctor who is doing this right now, as part of her non-profit foundation.

Some health-care watchdogs worry that the trend will create inequities in care based on income.

As if this doesn't happen now?

I typically only go for:

1. Yearly visit
2. When something is seriously wrong

If I had paid 1.5K, wouldn't I be more likely to go for any reason to get my money's worth?

Does having an attorney on retainer mean one seeks more legal advice? I'm not in this bracket, so I couldn't say.

Those who sign up may have a chronic condition or life-threatening illness and they want to make sure they get treatment as soon as they need it.

And then there are the chronically wealthy who will pay anything not to have to mingle with the masses. I read a story last year about the "lux" market - all the goods and services being developed for the wealthiest 3%. Private ATMs are in the works. First-class-only flights are being tested. Maybe this is another variation on that theme.

I shouldn't have to pay them more in order to get what I already pay for!!!!

This shit pisses me off.

I am really embarrassed when I see how much they cut the doctor's bill, while their CEOs are collecting millions.

I think that I would love to have this kind of arrangement if I knew that the health care providers: doctor, nurses, medical technicians, are the one who get it, not the insurance bureaucrats.

I worked in the medical billing industry for 5 years as a consultant regarding insurance and medical reimbursement. The physicians, pharmacists and medical providers all work the system to their advantage.