In recent years, the healthcare environment in conjunction with the insurance industry has been subject to considerable criticism. However, this criticism is valued because the United States spends more money per capita on health care than any other country in the world. As a country, we spend more than 15% of our GDP on health care. Based on these statistics, it can be assumed that the United States has the best quality medical care in the world. Unfortunately, we all know what that suggests. The World Health Organization is ranked 37th in the world, behind countries such as Costa Rica (36), the Dominican Republic (35) and Saudi Arabia (26th), to name a few. With the adoption of the health care bill: HR3590 - Law on the Protection of Patients and Affordable Medical Care, people are concerned that their insurance premiums will skyrocket. In addition, due to the additional burden of patients to be covered by the plan, the quality of care may be further compromised due to longer waiting times. This eloquently reflects the bleak picture of the current healthcare environment in the United States. However, relatively unknown to many Americans, there is another legitimate option: concierge medicine.
Concierge medicine is defined as the relationship between a patient and a primary care physician, in which the patient pays an annual fee or retention. In general, concierge doctors care for fewer patients than in normal practice. This is becoming more common, as many are concerned that traditional doctors will be stunned by the additional volume of clients who are insured under the new bill on health care. However, the main advantage of concierge medicine is the personalized care that the patient receives. You will no longer need to wait for the patient at the reception within 30 minutes after their appointment. In addition, most medical practitioners usually give out the numbers of their patients to their patients. This allows you to go to the doctor around the clock, that the patient is already feeling comfortable. In addition, most concierge doctors guarantee appointments on the same day or the next day. This emphasis on personalized attention is directed to drawing attention to the relationship between patient and patient, which seems to have been compromised by traditional doctors in recent years.
However, the advantages of a concierge are not limited to ease of access. The quality of treatment in most cases is exceptional. With a smaller number of patients in each practice, more time is given to each patient, which gives the doctor a deep understanding of health status, health risks, and specialized wellness programs to meet individual needs. Additional benefits include: More time for extra help when a patient needs a specialist or hospitalization. Numerous concierge doctors will meet with patients in the emergency room and exceed their care, both in the emergency room and after admission. Concierge physicians will even accompany the patient to certain appointments with specialists, house calls when it is required, more time for the doctor to do research and continuing education, and more time for the office staff to keep track of patients to ensure that lab, x-ray and specialist visits.
Since most of us who have been doctors in recent years, this is a constant struggle with an intermediate link between patient and doctor; terrible insurance company. Some concierge methods do not accept any insurance. They are also referred to as cash-only or direct primary care. By refusing to participate in insurance companies, this practice can reduce overhead and administrative costs, thereby providing affordable medical care to patients. However, some concierge methods take insurance, even Medicare, but require an annual fee for services, with the exception of insurance plans. It is important to note that medical concierge doctors are usually not part of a HMO or PPO network, and it is important to note that concierge medicine is not a substitute for insurance. In addition to the physical exam services that may be included in the annual fee, the concierge doctor pays for his patients the medical services provided in their offices.
If the average service of traditional medical services is sufficient, then this service may be wrong for you. However, if this is the exceptional care you desire, you should consult a concierge’s medicine.
