What if you were given the choice between a primary care physician (PCP) who provides care only when it is convenient for his/her schedule and a doctor who is available for same-day appointments at your convenience?
You do have that choice, which is why an increasing number of patients are opting for the benefits of concierge medicine. Also known as direct primary care (DPC), concierge medicine used to be common only among wealthier patients who could afford the annual membership fee. In recent years, however, concierge medicine has not only become more affordable, but preferable for adult patients of all ages and income brackets.
How You Can Benefit from A Concierge Doctor
Concierge doctors offer direct access to personalized care. They do everything a traditional PCP does – including conducting annual physical exams, administering lab tests, and providing diagnostic screenings and minor urgent care services – but limit the number of patients they serve.
There are several key benefits to having a concierge doctor that you won’t find with a traditional primary care physician. These include:
- Quicker access to your physician. A concierge doctor provides same-day or next-day appointments, as well as portal and phone/Zoom contact, which means speedier access to care. Unlike a traditional primary care practice, a concierge doctor can cap the number of patients enrolled in membership, and thus, he/she is better able to control his/her availability.
- Unlimited primary care services. The services you would ordinarily receive in a primary care visit, such as physicals or preventive screenings, are already covered by the membership fee you pay for concierge service. That way, you don’t have to worry about the costs of each individual visit. If you have a chronic condition that requires frequent visits, a concierge doctor can be more cost-effective over the long term. North Bethesda Primary Care includes 10 in-person visits and unlimited remote care per year.
- A more personal relationship with your primary care physician. A concierge doctor doesn’t see as many patients as a doctor at a traditional primary care practice, which means he/she gets to spend more quality time with you, gaining a better understanding of your medical history and making it that much easier to detect any issues that may arise.
A concierge doctor will provide you with the same services you expect from a PCP you would see through a conventional insurance plan, including annual physicals, lab work, and preventive screenings. The difference is that your wait to see a concierge doctor will be shorter and your access to that doctor extends to consultations via the patient portal, phone, and Zoom, as well as in-office visits.
Clearly, the typical primary care practice cannot provide the same level of personalized service as a concierge doctor, which is why the latter is a healthcare service alternative well worth considering.
VIP Concierge Doctor in North Bethesda, Maryland
Dr. Adam Possner at North Bethesda Primary Care is a board-certified internal medicine physician offering exceptional concierge VIP medical care services that focus on your wellbeing instead of billing.
To learn more about our membership-based practice and patient-centered primary care, call us at (301) 941-4414 to request a complimentary meeting with Dr. Possner. For your convenience, this visit can be conducted in person or via telehealth, so contact us today.
