Concierge medicine is a growing medical model in the United States where physicians charge patients an annual fee in exchange for personalized medical services like same-day appointments and in-home visits. This addresses issues in the traditional healthcare system like increasing costs and physician stress. Some key points about concierge medicine include that over 5,000 physicians have adopted this model since 2005, annual patient fees typically range from $1,500-2,000, and 64% of physicians believe it has the greatest financial success potential.

1. Concierge MedicineThe U.S. healthcare system is in a state of rapid change. Escalating costs, increasing
numbers of uninsured Americans and inconsistent healthcare delivery have patients
worried. Increased patient load, decreased reimbursement and overall career stress has
led to a shortage of primary care physicians. To address many of these concerns,
many providers are turning to Concierge medicine. Concierge medicine, or retainer-
based medicine, is a medical model in which the physician charges each patient an
annual fee in exchange for personalized medical services.
Where is it?
Does it offer better care?
“64% of physicians believe a concierge
medicine practice that does not take
insurance has the greatest chance of
financial success in the age of health
system reform.”
~Deloitte Center for Health Solutions
Physicians Perspectives Survey
What is the difference?
17,000
5,000
500
2005 2009 2012
Explosive growth
M A J J o s h u a T h o m p s o n
joshua.c.thompson@us.army.mil
S o u r c e s : S o c i e t y f o r I n n o v a t i v e M e d i c a l P r a c t i c e D e s i g n & G o v e r n m e n t A c c o u n t i n g O f f i c e S u r v e y
Number of Concierge
P h y s i c i a n s i n U S
The analogy that comes the closest is airline travel. Passengers in both first class and
coach arrive at their destination at the same time, but first class conveys more
amenities. Concierge medicine does not offer any higher quality of care, but instead
offers amenities like in home visits and same-day appointments. Concierge physicians
will even accompany you to appointments with a specialist.
Concierge Care = First Class
Traditional Primary Care = Coach
Amenities Offered
The American Academy of Private
Physicians estimates that some one
million U.S. residents have joined
concierge medical practices, and
roughly 5000 physicians have
converted their practices to some
form of concierge
medicine since
1996.
“annual patient membership fees ranged
from $60 to $15,000 a year, with half of
the respondents reporting fees of $1,500
to $1,999.”
~Government Accounting Office Survey
Tufts Medical Center in New England recognized the opportunity to capture
additional revenues by creating a hybrid, offering concierge care services in a new
facility while at the same time continuing to operate a traditional primary care clinic
at the old facility. Tufts has received rave reviews from patients and physicians alike
because the hybrid model addresses the ethical concerns that come along with
increase revenues. By directing the revenues toward the traditional clinic, Tufts is able
to improve care for the second tier (non-concierge care), pay salaries for medical
residents, and pay to have three extra physicians on staff. By using a concierge
practice model to fund a regular medical practice, both doctors and patients are cared
for. Wealthy patients receive the care they are willing to pay for and ordinary patients
receive at least the level of care they have already been receiving—if not better care—
thanks to the concierge medicine retainer fees.
Can you use it at your hospital?