Concierge medicine
Filed in archive Miscellany on October 29, 2005
The realities of conciege medicine. The next part of the NY Times' excellent "On being a patient" series:
Dr. Kaminetsky was in daily touch with her doctors in Beijing. E-mail messages, X-ray reports and digitalized images flew back and forth. When the bleeding was stabilized and Mrs. Lipson returned home, Dr. Kaminetsky immediately connected her with a local specialist for a biopsy of her diseased lungs, and then with infectious disease experts for treatment of the unusual infection that was found.
Mrs. Lipson's long convalescence was seamless, with none of the snags that can magnify the misery of serious illness: no long hours in strange waiting rooms, no lost X-ray or culture reports, no contradictory pronouncements by specialists confused by missing information. Dr. Kaminetsky's office coordinated all her appointments, tests and treatments. He personally telephoned her with all results and saw her as often as necessary to make sure everything went smoothly.
Now, still on medication over 18 months later, Mrs. Lipson applauds her foresight in signing up for this deluxe model of medical care. The yearly expense, she points out, is far smaller than more traditional luxuries like cruises or late-model cars. "I highly recommend it," she said. "It's well worth the money."
Mrs. Lipson's long convalescence was seamless, with none of the snags that can magnify the misery of serious illness: no long hours in strange waiting rooms, no lost X-ray or culture reports, no contradictory pronouncements by specialists confused by missing information. Dr. Kaminetsky's office coordinated all her appointments, tests and treatments. He personally telephoned her with all results and saw her as often as necessary to make sure everything went smoothly.
Now, still on medication over 18 months later, Mrs. Lipson applauds her foresight in signing up for this deluxe model of medical care. The yearly expense, she points out, is far smaller than more traditional luxuries like cruises or late-model cars. "I highly recommend it," she said. "It's well worth the money."
Permalink: Concierge medicine
Tags: medicine concierge
Vote for Concierge medicine:
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Rating: 9.33 out of 3 vote(s) cast.
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Response from:
Alex bell
(10/03/07 11:02pm)
i agree i am glad u have touched the reality bytes about concierge medicine.
Response from:
Zola Ivy
(03/05/08 12:13am)
Don’t forget the negative image of the practice, which can be summarized as ‘doctors maintaining/increasing cash flow by charging fewer customers more money for the same services’. The most cited reason for switching to this model is ’so that I can practice medicine the way I want to’. This is not a reason which resonates with customers. To make this switch work, one must sell the concept aggressively.
Response from:
Dr Andy
(04/07/08 4:34pm)
I left a busy group practice in Fort Myers, Florida in 2005 to start my house-call based concierge practice. Originally I tried to deal with insurances but since none pay for house-calls, and Medicare only reimburses minimally, I couldn't make it viable. In our area it's not uncommon for me to drive 30-45min between visits and I typically spend 45-60min with a patient. Hence I was drawn to the concierge business model. I am still the ONLY concierge physician in South-West Florida exclusively making house-calls in Lee and Collier counties.
No mistake, my services are a luxury item and convenience for most of my patients. I charge $2000-$6000 a year per person, depending on age, size of family, and location.
I know it's not the answer to our health care crisis, but I certainly love my job again! Besides I get to see my kids more.
Two other key points for the lay-person to understand. Just because I charge above what insurance pays, doesn't make me rich. I actually made less than our city pays bus drivers for the past 2 years, although admittedly the potential is significant. Also, even though most of my patients are the "rich and famous" of our area, doesn't absolve me or any concierge physician of our responsibility to the community. In fact this is a responsibility of each of my patients as well.
I continue to be an active office in the US Army Reserve, chair the Health Advisory Committee of the Lee County School District, volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem serving abused and neglected kids, teach Head Start program moms about child care, etc...
No, concierge medicine isn't for everyone, but it certainly has worked for me and my patients.
Andrew Oakes-Lottridge, MD
Personalized Health Care, Inc.
(239)694-6246
www.DrAndy.us
No mistake, my services are a luxury item and convenience for most of my patients. I charge $2000-$6000 a year per person, depending on age, size of family, and location.
I know it's not the answer to our health care crisis, but I certainly love my job again! Besides I get to see my kids more.
Two other key points for the lay-person to understand. Just because I charge above what insurance pays, doesn't make me rich. I actually made less than our city pays bus drivers for the past 2 years, although admittedly the potential is significant. Also, even though most of my patients are the "rich and famous" of our area, doesn't absolve me or any concierge physician of our responsibility to the community. In fact this is a responsibility of each of my patients as well.
I continue to be an active office in the US Army Reserve, chair the Health Advisory Committee of the Lee County School District, volunteer as a Guardian ad Litem serving abused and neglected kids, teach Head Start program moms about child care, etc...
No, concierge medicine isn't for everyone, but it certainly has worked for me and my patients.
Andrew Oakes-Lottridge, MD
Personalized Health Care, Inc.
(239)694-6246
www.DrAndy.us
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