Dr. Kirk Pikari received a medical degree from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, which included several prestigious foreign trade services abroad. He then completed internal medicine training at the Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Picari is a well-known doctor, and the author has written several books. His medical textbook is used by doctors throughout the country as a training tool for certifying ABIM internal audits.
After 10 years of leading positions at Baylor Medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Picari decided to change course and opened solo practice. Being born and raised in Dallas, he always felt a strong connection with the local community. A few years later, he turned to concierge-style medical practice.
With concierge style practice (also commonly called boutique or inpatient medicine), patients are paid a monthly or annual fee. Insurance is not accepted. This, according to Dr. Pikari, eliminates a number of problems faced by a typical physicist. Dr. Paykari usually takes no more than 200 patients in his practice and spends at least 30 minutes with each patient per visit. This allows personalized care. Most doctors see 30-50 patients per day. Patient satisfaction in this type of setting is predictably higher.
Although this model tends to favor those with higher incomes and people with more difficult medical conditions, the model has been successful in places like Seattle where Quliance has not accepted insurance payments for more than 15 years. Patients pay a single monthly fee for unlimited access to 13 doctors. This model was extremely effective, as usually 40-50% of the overhead in the medical office is spent on invoicing and fees. According to Dr. Picari: “Everyone who is in the health sector is in a transitional phase, the market eliminates traditional practices that go bankrupt.
Fortunately, we took quite a few minutes from Dr. Picard's schedule and asked him to answer some of our questions about concierge-style medical care.
Kevin: Dr. Pikari, one of the main complaints of most patients, is that they observe an increase in waiting time and a decrease in individual attention from their doctor. Concierge care is a trend that is growing in popularity. Could you explain the basic business model and why more doctors choose this type of practice?
Dr. Peikari: concierge practices or “cash only” change medical care to how Markus Wellby practiced it on TV. Until now, third parties, such as insurance payers and the government, have overfilled themselves in the exam room. The concierge takes care of that close, private and personal care. Again you have a trusted doctor, exactly the same as you grew up.
Kevin: How can a patient expect that this type will be treated differently?
Dr. Picari: Concierge medicine allows enough time to fully discuss your concerns. Often I do not understand what the real problem is, up to 30-45 minutes in conversation with the patient. It is so refreshing that you can get these major breakthroughs in the field of health. This is what you miss in a 3-minute visit.
Kevin: Do you think that now it will become a viable alternative to traditional medical services based on insurance, and the Accessibility Act will now come into force?
Dr. Picari: This is viable because in the practice of cash, the market determines prices. Although the nature of our specific services puts us at a higher cost spectrum, you can now find concierge services at a great price ... thanks to free market forces at work.
Kevin: Can you explain how this type of practice gives you the opportunity to spend more time on your patients?
Dr. Pikari: By eliminating third-party payers, our labor time is reduced by 90%, which allows our face with our patients to increase by 1000%. Thus, a 3-minute casting visit automatically becomes a leisurely 30-minute visit.
Kevin: How can a patient get individual attention to care for a concierge and at the same time be prepared for a catastrophic illness?
Dr. Picari: We recommend higher deductible catastrophic insurance. In fact, this is what the “insurance” was originally created: to “insure” you from a catastrophe.
Kevin: In order to wrap this up with Dr. Pikari, what is the biggest consideration you should take when choosing which type of care for your doctor best suits their needs?
Dr. Paykari: Your personal opinion on healing is important. If you think that a prescription for drugs and a 3-minute visit are all you need, then the current system works well for you. However, others believe that it is the relationship with the doctor, and not just medicine, that helps unlock your inner healing abilities.
Dr. Kirk Pikari conducts medical practice in Texas in Dallas, Texas. It can be reached at 214-739-6100. His business website is texasmd.com.
Kevin Nimmo is an online strategist and writer. He talks with subject matter experts and educates his readers on the basis of information provided by experts in relevant fields.
