Wellness

[msgb]

The last GP my husband saw is now concierge. My husband had to opt out. It is pricey.

[Witchy Woman]

@Mz iMac 

I have GEHA, Government Employees Health Association and have been enrolled for over 40 years.  It was the plan I used when employed in Washington, DC, at a Federal agency and took it with me into retirement. 

After doing some checking, I determined it was as good or better as any secondary insurance I could purchase outside of the Federal network.

With Medicare and GEHA, I rarely have any health care bills...thankfully.

[Witchy Woman]

@Carmie 

All good points.

Thanks for your thoughtful response.

[granddi]

@Witchy Woman I was watching the replies because I am also intersted.

I think the question is NOT if the forum thinks it is a good idea but rather asking if anyone has experiences. 

Conceirge is basically private pay health care. My clinic has a conceirge office within the regular care doctors. I have tried to get someone to answer if I could have a hybrid of both. The conceirge would/should eliminate the use of walk in clinics and long wait times for a PA.

[I am still oxox]

My brother does and he is very happy with the care he gets last year when he had lyme, he sent them a photo of the rash and had a telemed conference in about 20 minutes. He works in Manhattan and they have an office very close to his office. He says they are very prompt and rarely has a wait

[Bookplate]

I don't have it but a good friend does.  Last year she paid something over $1000, out of pocket, for the service.  When she does see the doctor, it is covered by Medicare and supplemental, like any other visit.  There were a few occasions this past year when she wanted to be seen by a doctor quickly, and she was.  So far she has been satisfied.  I should add that she is in her mid-80's with some serious, but not critical, health issues.

[Witchy Woman]

@granddi 

Yes, that was my question.  I know to some it might be a waste of money, and it might very well be for them.

However, while I'm mostly happy with my doctors, short notice appointments are difficult/impossible to get.  In this area, "urgent care" is a joke.  You can wait hours and will likely end up will little or no care.  The emergency rooms are often full all day long.

As I age, I'm just trying to make the best decisions I can for the kind of care I would LIKE to receive.  

[Witchy Woman]

@I am still oxox 

Sounds ideal.  I'm sure being in Manhattan helps.

I live in the Washington, DC, area, but over an hour outside the City in a small, rural community.

Part of the problem for me is I hate to drive into the city for ANY reason!

[Witchy Woman]

@Bookplate 

That cost does not seem unreasonable to me.

It sounds like it's a good fit for your friend.  Seeing someone quickly is a key advantage.

Sadly, most medical appointments are scheduled weeks/months out and getting worse.

[River Song]

I don't have concierge medical coverage, can't afford it.  I live in a Florida resort town with tons of multimillionaires and a few billionaires (not me, though).  A lot of doctors in my town have switched to concierge medicine because it's lucrative, decreases their workload, no insurance companies to deal with, and they can spend more time with the patient.  Wealthy people want what they want, when they want it and are willing and able to pay for it.  Wish I could have my doctor at my beck and call but that's never going to happen for me.  If you can afford the yearly membership fee, it's probably worth it to receive luxury care.  Membership fees in my area run $2,000-$5,000/year with some running $10,000/year.