Healthcare is Changing
ObamaCare law is being phased in and many physicians are responding to the new healthcare mandates by retiring early or reducing their hours in what the American Medical Association is describing as a “silent exodus. Health policy experts are also expecting a growing physician shortage, with the Wall Street Journal reporting an expected shortfall of 60,000 physicians in 2015 and 90,000 by 2020, a 10-15% decrease of practicing physicians. This is all forecasted to happen despite the millions of newly-insured patients who are entering the healthcare system through ObamaCare.
While this is happening declines in reimbursements are also evident, forcing primary care physicians to see as many patients as possible in rushed 10-15 minute appointments just to make ends meet. This reduction in the quality of healthcare is not fair to patients and is not conducive to helping them prevent or manage health issues. Doctors are not to be blamed for the short-winded appointments as the bureaucracy of the healthcare system forces them to work this way. Does a patient have any other options?
Enter Concierge Medicine
VIP or concierge medicine comes as a response to this frustrating situation and patients (and doctors) are finding relief in a new take on an old healthcare model- personalized healthcare. This model was popular before the advent of Medicare and modern insurance and establishes concierge medical services in exchange for annual payment for enhanced services.
Under concierge medicine patients are getting the care that they deserve, same or next day appointments, 24/7 access to their doctor, longer appointment times and personalized treatments. As there is no pressure to meet insurance restraints doctors are free to offer 45-60 minute visits allowing them to craft individualized diagnosis, treatment and management plans for the benefit of their patients.
How Do Concierge Doctors Manage Their Time?
Dr. Gilels, as a concierge physician, is able to dedicate ample time to his patients because he has a much smaller patient load. Unlike a typical physician with 2,000-3,000 patients, a concierge doctor has only 300-400 patients. With fewer patients, concierge doctors have more time for individual patients.
Concierge Medicine Can Actually Save Money
The American Journal of Managed Care published an article titled Personalized Preventive Care Leads to Significant Reductions in Hospital Utilization which illustrated that concierge medical services saved the average patient $2,551 per year due to decreased hospitalizations. Furthermore, the study revealed that concierge medical care also resulted in a 72-79% reduction in hospital re-admissions for serious illnesses.
The Choice is Yours
Primary care is likely to take two tracks according to Forbes:
Some patients receive high-quality care from happy, motivated concierge doctors, whereas others will have to make do with rushed assembly line care from overworked providers trying to get their patients in and out the door as quickly as possible.
Choose Concierge Medicine of Stuart. Contact us today for more information.