Health care industry has undergone constant evolution in a bid to improve competence in service delivery and innovation. On the top of the list of micro-hospitals, retail clinics among other specialized care sites, come the concierge medicine. The concept of concierge medicine has recently gained momentum. It is a unique form of medical care that is marked by higher patient financial responsibilities. It is a newer system that seeks to defer membership healthcare alternative to provide premium healthcare delivery where patients receive quality time with their highly experienced doctors.
A typical concierge medicine program has the following features
- Lengthy appointment times that entails a comprehensive review of test results.
- State-of-the-art medical testing with cutting-edge equipment.
- Availability of same day and next day appointments
- 24/7 access to your doctor
- Wellness coaching, as needed, which may include medical weight loss.
Concierge Doctors Provide Longer And Frequent Appointments
Concierge medicine models allow physicians to arrange for more frequent appointments with their patients. This help to build a closer relationship between a doctor and his or patient, giving physicians ample time to focus on the needs of a single patient at a time. This model gives physicians more time to carry out preventive and diagnostic testing. Subsequently, they will have more time to keenly review test results and therefore maintaining a better chance of detecting chronic diseases and potentially fatal conditions at very early stages. More time for patients is the most frequently stated benefit of this model. It delineates how improved medical services that go beyond regular membership healthcare plans can not only allow generation of more income per patient but help physicians to avoid having to rush patients under critical conditions in and out of hospitals.
Concierge Medicine Is Cost-Effective
Physicians practicing concierge medicine have a more conducive environment to focus on fewer patients compared to traditional physicians. It allows them to focus more on preventive care with better insight and detailed diagnostics into each patients health. Such practice is bond to reduce health care costs to the patients under the program. Traditional doctors have many patients to attend to and hence less time to spend with each patient. They may rely on ordering several tests and procedures before they diagnose current issues. Such additional tests and treatments increase patients’ healthcare costs.
Concierge Doctors Are Readily Accessible
Concierge medicine is designed to provide premium services. Part of what a patient pays for when enrolling in this program is to have doctors who are more available. Many concierge physicians have adopted the culture of being in touch with their patients all the time. They can call, text, skype, or email the patients as needed. They are accustomed to availing themselves to answer health-related questions and concerns, often even after business hours. Most concierge physicians can have impromptu appointments, as needed.
Concierge Physicians Can Manage All Aspects of Patient Health Care
When switching to concierge medicine, you gain access to a doctor who will spend more time with you. He or she will create time to talk about health-related issues and how they are related to your general health. The doctor will dig deep to get an in-depth insight of your overall health and be familiar with your full medical history. This can help them make meaningful connections to specific health issues and conduct informed diagnosis and treatments. They can also manage your health, coordinate, and recommend specialists and carefully track your progress.