Wellness

[Witchy Woman]

@River Song 

I'm far from "rich" but would consider more personalized care if I could find the right fit for my needs and could afford it.

In the end, it would likely be a matter of trial and error I think. 

[ninjawife]

@Witchy Woman I am looking into concierge care for my 23 year old daughter.  She has some unresolved medical issues that her current doctor seems to be ignoring.  The practice we are looking into does accept our insurance plus there is a fee of 750,00 annually.  In order to get the attention we think she needs we are going to follow through when the practice starts accepting new patients in mid September.  The first visit is a free meet and greet with the doctor then if we want her to join the practice, the office will set up her first appointment which will be a comprehensive review of her medical history.  The office will also request her medical records from her current doctor.   The next appointment will be a comprehensive physical.  Each and every appointment with the doctor is allotted an hour and half of time.  

[River Song]

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@Witchy Woman wrote:

@River Song 

I'm far from "rich" but would consider more personalized care if I could find the right fit for my needs and could afford it.

In the end, it would likely be a matter of trial and error I think. 

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"If you can afford it" is the operative phrase when it comes to concierge care.  I would love to have it, who wouldn't?  But it's completely out of my reach.  And I definitely can't afford self-pay for medical care unless I want to drown in medical debt, go bankrupt and end up living out of my car.  The wealthy folks that live on the beach in my town don't even bother with homeowners insurance, they are self-pay all the way. 

[Witchy Woman]

@ninjawife 

This sounds perfect and has all the elements I would want.  I hope your daughter gets the care she needs!

[gardenman]

Concierge medicine is pretty much how all medicine was when I was younger. Doctors used to know you and your history. You could get in to see them without a hassle. They took their time with you. They answered any questions you had.

Modern medicine is now more impersonal. They have no clue who you are until they read your name on the file. They're on the clock to process as many patients as possible. You're just the next one in the line.

Medicine is too much of a business and not enough of a practice these days. Many/most of the concierge docs are older docs who also miss the old days. They still try to practice medicine and not just process patients. If you can afford concierge medicine, by all means use it. You won't regret it. 

[Witchy Woman]

@gardenman 

Exactly.

On a recent hospital visit, my husband had a myriad of doctors for his snake bite, but none really fully addressed his issues.  

It's not just that, but the situation you described is how it is with most illnesses.

[Jrzgirl]

My husband & I have Medicare & a supplemental insurance, that has no co-pays.

We have chosen to have a Concierge doctor & "love" him.  We can always be seen the same day we call, he will call back after hours if we've left a general question with his office staff.  He saved my life- called for an appt because I felt "draggy",  saw me the same day, took my vitals, listened to my heart, called an ambulance & sent me to the ER.  I had my mitral valve replaced 3 days later.  Visited me every day in the hospital & called to check on me after I was released.  Our appts are no less than an hour long.  It is expensive & I'm grateful that we are able to afford it.  If you are able to I would definitely

do it.

[ceekay]

@Witchy Woman - My husband has it (Medicare and Fed BCBS secondary).  The practice went to concierge about 15 years ago and he has no issues (and no extra bills other than the not-cheap fee for the program).  The practice is part of MDVIP (DC metro area).  Coincidentally my mom (pushing 100) uses the same dr/practice with Medicare and TriCare for Life secondary.  I do not have concierge doctors and their concierge billing and costs are similar to mine without it.  Their doctor is available and refers as necessary to specialists.  For my husband and my mom it is a good choice.  Recently we went on vacation and my husband left his container of meds on the counter at home.  He emailed his doctor and within minutes the doctor had called in mini RX amounts for my husband to pick up locally to tide him over.  Hope this helps.

[Witchy Woman]

@Jrzgirl 

Your arrangement sounds wonderful.  I think my biggest challenge would be finding a doctor in my area that has such a practice.

A large practice has taken over most of Southern Maryland over the years and, while there are independent doctors, there aren't any concierge services without going considerably outside of our geographic area. 

Not that we couldn't do that, but we are an hour + away from Washington, DC, and/or Baltimore.  It's doable, but a challenge.

[Witchy Woman]

@ceekay 

I'm also in Southern Maryland, but considered the DC metro area.  My secondary insurance is GEHA, also a Federal plan.

However, my location is dominated by a large practice and it has been a challenge finding doctors outside of that group that might offer alternative care.

I haven't given up, but finding someone with personal experience with a doctor/practice in my area would be the ideal situation.

Your husband's arrangement sounds very convenient.