Oh boy, time for me to find a new primary doctor again. I like mine a lot but he is switching to something called MDVIP Wellness Program Plus which has a lot of advantages including no wait time, same day/next day appointments, being able to contact him via phone, being able to spend much longer time with him during appointments, and a bunch of extra tests during yearly physical as a preventative measure but that isn't covered by insurance for some reason. I wish him well and letter states the program is limited and on a first come first served basis but not sure how many of his existing patients will want to do that but his office is located near some suburbs of high income folks so he probably will attract a lot of those. Never heard of this before.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients...b26f7b7&gclsrc=3p.ds

"Each year your physician will take you through the MDVIP Wellness Program, which is paid for by your annual membership fee.* This comprehensive health assessment program includes advanced medical tests and health screenings typically not covered by commercial insurance or Medicare. You and your doctor will use these test results to create a personalized wellness plan to help you achieve your health goals."

The MDVIP Wellness Program Measures:
Heart Health Diabetes Nutrition and Fitness
Bone Health Sleep Emotional Well-Being
Vision & Hearing Weight Management Brain Health*
Sexual Health Respiratory Health Personalized Medication Program*

I pay $1200 per year for a wellness doc. Does not include blood tests or meds, but those are not expensive. So less than $2k per year total for sure. Easy to schedule appointments, she spends plenty of time with me at each appointment.

Your doc sounds expensive.

I pay $800 a month for my insurance. I think this would be well worth it, if I understand it correctly. I think some medical professionals are getting tired of being dictated to by insurance plans and are trying to come up with something that will work for them. I know dentists do this. My mother pays a dentist an annual fee for regular visits throughout the year. It’s really not a bad idea if you can get patients on board with it.
There’s still too many sheeple in our area, willing to follow their plan wherever it leads.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: irreverent,

It is called concierge medicine. Leave insurance paperwork and authorizations behind. As a patient I would ask if he had hospital privileges. You still need insurance to cover hospital stays and expensive tests such as MRIs.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
It is called concierge medicine. Leave insurance paperwork and authorizations behind. As a patient I would ask if he had hospital privileges. You still need insurance to cover hospital stays and expensive tests such as MRIs.

Not to mention:

$3200 per yr/12 mo = $267/mo average cost to add on top of whatever you pay for a monthly premium for full health insurance that covers you across the US, hospitals, doctor/surgeons, labs, outpatient facilities, etc. to an unlimited maximum benefit.

This is all a result of Obama and his ridiculous so-called "Affordable" Care Act.

Look at how many doctors are now part of these "medical groups" and affiliated with hospitals now instead of being private practices.

Affordable my white ass!

I should have clarified that the $3200 does not include doctor's visits or any associated costs like labs, X-rays, shots,etc. Last year I went to him twice and my out of pocket cost was $25 for physical and 6 month follow up.

MDVIP Wellness Program Plus is a concierge medical service. They are becoming more popular but often do not provide specialized treatments or major medical services but many include in-office visits and labs.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
This is all a result of Obama and his ridiculous so-called "Affordable" Care Act.

Look at how many doctors are now part of these "medical groups" and affiliated with hospitals now instead of being private practices.

Affordable my white ass!

Don't forget his partner that sanctimonious piece of dog pile McCain

Works for me. $3k per year and the annual bill is the only bill I've received in the 3 years I've been a member. I pay my medicare deductible and the practice collects what it can from my insurance.

My doctor is a cardiologist from a family full of cardiologists. He has hospital privileges at the best area hospital and his patients get vip service as the hospital has a wing named after his family.

Sig Forum member GGF is my gun show table partner and one of my best friends. He is a retired respiratory therapist and tells the story of walking along the sidewalk in Louisville's hospital corridor - said he was walking along and heard someone yelling "Hey donkeydick" GGF looked around but saw nothing - heard it again and looked up and there was Doc Bickers busting his balls from the upper level parking garage. I like having a redneck cowboy for a doctor (big players in horse business) and I like the practice - 1st class all the way.

https://www.conciergecaresi.com/

quote:

It is called concierge medicine. Leave insurance paperwork and authorizations behind...

I love the concept.
Big .gov, big pharma, big insurance, and big hospital buying up all the practices have destroyed medicine.
People want simpler and easier to understand. Cut out the middle man.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
It is called concierge medicine. Leave insurance paperwork and authorizations behind. As a patient I would ask if he had hospital privileges. You still need insurance to cover hospital stays and expensive tests such as MRIs.

Hospital privileges really aren’t pertinent any more. As a medical practitioner myself, the reality is health car3 today is very fragmented and it is exceedingly rare to find an “office doc” that also cares for hospitalized patients
In primary care the new reality is:
Have a primary for scheduled routine preventative medicine care ( hypertension, diabetes etc)
If you get sick and need acute care, the primary can’t see you, so depending on severity you go to ER or urgent care.
If admitted to a hospital, a different doctor takes care of you in hospital ( the “ Hospitalist” ) in the hospital I work the inpatient team is even broken up between an admitting doctor and Hospitalist doctor.

Specialists work somewhat differently ( I spit my time between hospital / operating room one day a week and office 3&1/2 days per week, rounding on my admitted patients as a consultant, not as an admitting )

The old days of primary care cradle to grave medicine are gone, and there are lots of reasons, but Medicare / insurance billing/ heaps of regulations are the prime drivers

WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!!
My PCP retired a number of years ago and I switched to an MDVIP provider, then my wife, and recently my father in law.
The annual fee is well worth it to actually see your doctor when you need. My prior PCP would be weeks if you needed in.
I have 24/7 access to my PCP when needed. Visits are great, staff is excellent.
It was a weird/tough hurdle knowing the annual fee was out of pocket. But almost everything else is handled through insurance as a normal provider.
There is one set of annual labs my insurance does not cover but cost like $86. The network that these MDVIP folks have are excellent.

My MDVIP PCP is an active member here, I won’t out him directly but I am sure he will see this thread and likely chime in.

Learn to take care of yourself and stay ahead of new findings to increase your life span by subscribing to the Life Extension magazine. The magazine is listed at the bottom of the page in PDF form.

https://www.lifeextension.com/

You can get a complete blood test for $299 if a Lab Corp is in your area.

https://www.lifeextension.com/...test&t=coveo4A2453FD

Depending on your age and health, you can get a screening at Life Line Screening:

Life Line Screening is a company that offers non-invasive health screenings to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other chronic illnesses. Screenings include ultrasounds, blood tests, and EKGs.

What they do

Ultrasound: Uses color flow ultrasound to examine the carotid arteries in the neck for plaque buildup

Blood tests: Checks for elevated levels of creatinine in the blood, which can indicate kidney problems

EKG: Analyzes heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation

Bone density scan: Scans the shin bone to assess risk for osteoporosis

Ankle brachial index: Evaluates blood pressure in the arms and ankles to assess blood flow in the legs

https://www.lifelinescreening.com/?sourcecd=WGBS111

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
It is called concierge medicine. Leave insurance paperwork and authorizations behind. As a patient I would ask if he had hospital privileges. You still need insurance to cover hospital stays and expensive tests such as MRIs.

Uh no. Still need the insurance and authorizations (for needed procedures) for everything, in this case. The $3200 does NOT include his doctor fees or any other related costs like labs, xrays, shots, procedures. Still need authorizations too for certain stuff.

I am going to get a new primary at a big office about 2 miles from my house in my primary network. They have labs, diagnostic imaging, rehab, and PT with a lot of doctors and specialists. They have enough doctors I could always get into same/next day even if my MD is too busy. My primary used to be located there but moved about 20 minutes away where there is never parking within half a mile of the building due to never ending construction so this is a good time to switch anyway. Also have a HUGE top notch orthopedic located in same area who can always see us within a business day if needed so this will put is in a great position for most health care needs.

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!!
My PCP retired a number of years ago and I switched to an MDVIP provider, then my wife, and recently my father in law.
The annual fee is well worth it to actually see your doctor when you need. My prior PCP would be weeks if you needed in.
I have 24/7 access to my PCP when needed. Visits are great, staff is excellent.
It was a weird/tough hurdle knowing the annual fee was out of pocket. But almost everything else is handled through insurance as a normal provider.
There is one set of annual labs my insurance does not cover but cost like $86. The network that these MDVIP folks have are excellent.

My MDVIP PCP is an active member here, I won’t out him directly but I am sure he will see this thread and likely chime in.

Glad it works out for you but for me even at 73 I rarely need to see my primary doctor and he is pretty limited in what he can do anyway and I do my own research for needed specialists and being in PPO don't need referrals. I only went to him for physical and 6 month follow up due to BP meds by I don't need any prescription drugs anymore anyway. Last 4 years going to him my out of pocket cost was $25 per year.

quote:

Originally posted by grumpy1:

quote:

Originally posted by Black92LX:
WORTH EVERY PENNY!!!!!!
My PCP retired a number of years ago and I switched to an MDVIP provider, then my wife, and recently my father in law.
The annual fee is well worth it to actually see your doctor when you need. My prior PCP would be weeks if you needed in.
I have 24/7 access to my PCP when needed. Visits are great, staff is excellent.
It was a weird/tough hurdle knowing the annual fee was out of pocket. But almost everything else is handled through insurance as a normal provider.
There is one set of annual labs my insurance does not cover but cost like $86. The network that these MDVIP folks have are excellent.

My MDVIP PCP is an active member here, I won’t out him directly but I am sure he will see this thread and likely chime in.

Glad it works out for you but for me even at 73 I rarely need to see my primary doctor and he is pretty limited in what he can do anyway and I do my own research for needed specialists and being in PPO don't need referrals. I only went to him for physical and 6 month follow up due to BP meds by I don't need any prescription drugs anymore anyway. Last 4 years going to him my out of pocket cost was $25 per year.

You may be very surprised. It also likely can depend on the individual provider. But our fella and his staff is amazing and is far more involved than any PCP I have had.
They have a lot of patients your age and beyond.

My wife and I have been with an MD VIP Physician for over 20 years. He has saved my life twice by being available 24/7!

I am now 83… well past my “Use by…” date, mainly because of his excellent care!

If affordable, there is simply nothing better!

quote:

Originally posted by 41:
Learn to take care of yourself and stay ahead of new findings to increase your life span by subscribing to the Life Extension magazine. The magazine is listed at the bottom of the page in PDF form.

https://www.lifeextension.com/

You can get a complete blood test for $299 if a Lab Corp is in your area.

https://www.lifeextension.com/...test&t=coveo4A2453FD

Depending on your age and health, you can get a screening at Life Line Screening:

Life Line Screening is a company that offers non-invasive health screenings to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other chronic illnesses. Screenings include ultrasounds, blood tests, and EKGs.

What they do

Ultrasound: Uses color flow ultrasound to examine the carotid arteries in the neck for plaque buildup

Blood tests: Checks for elevated levels of creatinine in the blood, which can indicate kidney problems

EKG: Analyzes heart rhythm for atrial fibrillation

Bone density scan: Scans the shin bone to assess risk for osteoporosis

Ankle brachial index: Evaluates blood pressure in the arms and ankles to assess blood flow in the legs

https://www.lifelinescreening.com/?sourcecd=WGBS111

Thanks and have already taken many steps including intense strength training three days a week and some cardio too. Don't smoke and never have and same with drinking other than very occasional small quantity of wine. Changed diet years ago and am on high protein diet, eat very little processed foods and very little sugar. I am maybe 10 pounds overweight but my metabolism is so high I can lose it fast and I don't want to be in calorie deficit too long anyway at risk of losing some hard gained muscle mass. My BP and resting heart rate are good and cholesterol well within range. Get regular blood work from my oncologist four times a year and yearly abdomen MRI. Plan on getting a DEXA scan this year too.

I wish doctors however weren't so paranoid about taking vitamin D. I told my primary guy I was taking 7000 IU daily and he said that was way too much. When test came back I was low at 25 LOL so I am taking even more now. Also take additional zinc glycinate, magnesium glycinate, vitamin C, and vitamin B complex plus fish oil rich in EPA and DHA. Also take creatine and HMB supplement with a lot of research showing possible benefits for seniors including brain health. My primary guy before him tried to put me on statin prescription because my HDL was a couple points low even though my total cholesterol was 129, WTF. I challenged him on that and he backed off. Too many doctors seem to go overboard when a "number" is just a bit out of range without looking at the big picture.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: grumpy1,

^^^^^^^^^^
I alternate daily between 10,000 IUs and 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D at my Dr’s advice. I forget why but I don’t think you are supposed to take the same dosage each.


Back when COVID started to rear its ugly head my MDVIP PCP told me to add zinc, vitamin c, vitamin d daily. I never got Covid and I am in law enforcement so I was out and about every single day in close contact with COVID folks frequently.
I have also not had much of a serious cold or the flu since.
Even when the entire family had pneumonia or the flu. I did not get it I also don’t get the flu shot.