Have you ever had a hard time getting an appointment with a doctor? When you finally got in, did you feel like the doctor didn’t have time to talk to you? If so, you may want to consider going with a concierge doctor.
What Is a Concierge Doctor?
A concierge doctor is part of a system where, in exchange for an annual fee, you gain access to a doctor 24/7. Not only can you call or text at all hours, but they usually also offer same or next-day appointments. At your appointment, your doctor will take the time you need to discuss your health concerns.
In addition to better accessibility and longer exam times, concierge medicine offers other benefits:
- Preventative as opposed to reactive care
- Cost-effective plans tailored to meet your needs
- Works with or without regular health care insurance
Concierge Doctors Are Accessible and Efficient
One of the reasons that concierge doctors are able to get you in right away and spend more time with you during your exam is that they have fewer patients. In exchange for that concierge fee, you get access to a doctor who has a lower patient load. This is why you can typically call or text them after hours, and they spend a lot of time reviewing your chart before each appointment. The better outcomes seen as a result of concierge medicine attest to its efficiency.
Concierge Practices Are Family Friendly
Concierge practices see the whole family in one place. And let’s face it: No parent wants to deal with a long wait in a lobby or exam room while dealing with a sick child. A concierge doctor takes you right in, and your time is spent with your doctor instead of languishing in a waiting room. The personal attention is worth the money, and it’s convenient when the whole family sees the same doctor.
Concierge Medicine Allows You to Get to Know Your Doctor
On average, a concierge doctor spends about 30 minutes with a patient during a routine appointment. This is a big difference from the usual seven or eight minutes spent by most doctors. The increased time spent with your doctor allows you to get to know them better.
Concierge Practices Just Make Your Life Easier
That personal touch is the reason why patients of concierge doctors tend to be more satisfied with their care. Not only that but concierge medicine simplifies the process of making an appointment and getting to the bottom of whatever health issue you have. This is because the same doctor typically handles all of your care. There’s also more of a focus on preventative care, which is an important benefit of concierge doctors versus health insurance.
Concierge Doctors and Health Insurance
For many families, a concierge medicine plan is an appealing alternative to traditional health insurance. For others, it makes sense to have both. A concierge doctor is often the perfect option for those who happen to have a low-cost, high-deductible health insurance plan. The money saved by having a high deductible can be used to pay the concierge medicine retainer fee. And your regular health insurance is there to cover things like emergency room visits.
If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and looking for a doctor who offers concierge medicine, contact Diamond Physicians today for more information on creating a customized plan to meet your specific health care needs.