Anti-agingdoctor: IS CONCIERGE MEDICINE RIGHT FOR YOU?

Is concierge medicine right for you?

In these days of medical strife I have had quite a few enquiries about our concierge program particularly since we are at the end of another year.

My staff is available to sit down and discuss the program with you but here are a few things to consider:

If you could have exactly what you wanted from your doctor what would your priorities be?

Rapport? Proactive, less waiting time? Same day appointments? Able to call directly to the doctor’s cell phone when you have a question? More face-to-face time? The ability to email directly? Honest opinions? Remote 24 hour monitoring for weight, blood pressure or blood sugar? Knowing that your office visit will never exceed $75?

In addition what is it that YOUR personal situation requires; you have unique issues to stay on top of. Is your emphasis on preventive care? Weight? A special health condition? Are you out of state?

All the above are managed with a concierge program. Concierge is a much more holistic approach in the sense that you are the center. Everything that affects you is important not just the one problem you have when you present to the office.

As examples, let’s look at some real life scenarios:

You had to go to an urgent care center and they are sending you home with a band aid prescription to “follow up with your PCP”. You don’t really understand what they say is wrong with you or whether the medication is good for you personally. Wouldn’t it be nice to call your personal physician directly and have them talk to the provider before you leave? I can ask what tests were done and how they came to that diagnoses (most of the time you will be seeing a PA or Nurse Practitioner). Maybe you need additional tests run while you are there. Perhaps you were told you had a UTI, I can order a test of cure in 2 weeks and save you an unnecessary follow up trip.

You end up in the ER. Once again, I can steer your management in a manner that is in your best interest and prevent unnecessary interventions and consequently time wasting because I know your history. Your chart is in front of me when I discuss your case. How often do you leave the ER and you are told “we will send your information to your doctor” and it never arrives? You simply call me on your cell phone and I speak with the nurse to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

Finally you are actually admitted, is it not comforting to know that I will speak with you regularly in the hospital and the staff who are taking care of you? You’ve been there: The nurse comes in and says, “ Here take your medicine”, 4 pills in a cup you have no idea what they are and she may not have the time to explain. Good patient gulp it down! :)

The last scenario is that you, or I, are out of state. You still have 24/7 access by phone and email. You get as much attention as you or your doctor deems necessary with time to discuss diet, exercise regimen, natural solutions and mental health issues.

It’s all about you. I am a text, email or phone call away.

And for busy professionals there is no wait time if you have to come to the office. We schedule 2 concierge patients an hour and a full hour for your annual physical.

Because you have a whole hour we can discuss labs and any other issues you want addressed, versus the standard physical dictated by the insurance company, which pays no more than 20 minutes. This is why you have to come back to discuss labs or issues when you have a physical.

If you have a condition that requires 3-month follow ups and refills it will save you a lot of time because we can do phone or video visits.

We accept HSA and cafeteria plans for the program and it is very affordable.

With no slight intended, some people spend more per month on their hair and nails and going out to dinner than they do to have customized caring health care. But as is always the case with health care, the time is now not after things go wrong.

Family plans are available and we offer up to 20% off through the end of the year.

When I have an opportunity I will make a You tube video about the whole concierge concept but if any of this resonates with you and you feel you would like to explore the options further please call and make a free, no obligation, appointment to discuss further.