Concierge medicine

Concierge medicine (also known as retainer medicine) is a relationship between a patient and a primary care physician in which the patient pays an annual fee or retainer. This may or may not be in addition to other charges. It is a form of Direct Primary Care.

Overview

In exchange for the retainer, doctors provide enhanced care, including principally a commitment to limit patient loads to ensure adequate time and availability for each patient. The practice has been referred to as concierge healthcare, retainer medicine, boutique medicine, cash-only practice, direct care, and direct practice medicine.

While all concierge medicine practices share similarities, they vary widely in their structure, payment requirements, and form of operation. In particular, they differ in the level of service provided and the amount of the fee charged. There are an estimated 5,000 concierge physicians in the United States.

History

The concept of concierge medicine has its roots in the early 1990s with the establishment of the first concierge practices. It has since evolved and grown significantly, with a notable increase in the number of concierge practices in the past decade.

Benefits and Criticisms

Concierge medicine offers several benefits, including more personalized care, longer appointments, and increased accessibility to the physician. However, it has also been criticized for potentially widening health care disparities by providing superior care to those who can afford the retainer fee.

See Also

• Direct Primary Care
• Healthcare Disparities
• Primary Care Physician