For Overworked Primary Care Physicians, Concierge Medicine Can Feel Like Breath Of Fresh Air
Concierge medicine is essentially a contract in which the patient pays an annual retainer to the physician. The model, which is becoming more popular, allows the patients more time with doctors and lets the doctors focus on about eight to ten patients a day instead of upwards of thirty.
Richmond Times-Dispatch:
'Back To The Future' Of Health Care: With A Higher Price Tag, Concierge Medicine Offers Patients Unique Care
Concierge medicine — also called retainer-fee practices, cash-only practices or membership medicine — is essentially a contract in which the patient pays an annual retainer to the physician. In return, the patient has much greater access to his or her physician, with no wait times, longer appointments and typically a more comprehensive physical exam. (O'Connor, 4/29)
