My doctor belongs to MDVIP and I pay $2,100 year. I've been with him for 17 years and when he went the concierge route 2 years ago I was hesitant, but finally decided to do it. I'm not sorry. Just went through my annual physical, which took 2 visits. They took 9 vials of blood on first visit, plus EKG, and myriad other tests. Second visit he spent 1 1/2 hours with me going over all the lab results, that were sent to 3 different labs, including the Cleveland Heart Lab. So far, it has not cost me a cent over the annual fee. I do have Medicare. He also has me go through a slightly less abbreviated physical at 6 months, due to my age. No additional cost. And, if need be, I can get an appointment within a day or two. To me, the additional $175/mo is worth it.

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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.

In my area, it's also called concierge medicine but it's in addition to your insurance. There's a shortage of medical providers where I'm at, so some doctors and practices have switched to this concierge system where you pay to be a patient.

I can't blame them. It's a way to price the market as a provider according to your ability to supply your services. The ones who don't want to pay the extra fee go to "shitty" doctors or PAs or Nurse Practitioners. I think the PAs and NPs are much better be4cause if the non-concierge doctors were any good, they would charge concierge fees.

I used to have an MD instead of a PA but he would cancel appointments because he was sick and the reschedules were months out. The first few times after the nurse did the prelim, he'd come in and put his stethoscope on me. Then walk to the far wall of this 20 by 20 foot room. He would sit down at start talking. I thought he was talking to me the first few visits; turns out he's dictating his notes to his laptop.

I think it's an acceptable way for the market to match demand. Those who can pay for better quality treatment do so which frees up more capacity in the non-concierge providers.

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Originally posted by Black92LX:
^^^^^^^^^^
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.

Good deal! At first the zinc didn't do much more me but I was taking zinc oxide which I later found out is not known to be very absorbable compared to some other forms of zinc, at least with some people. I switched to the Now brand zinc/vitamin C combo and that has been working much better for me and as you I take it daily.

MIL was offered a VIP membership when she was 83. I encouraged her to take advantage of the offer - not that she was a hypochondriac or similar - but she was getting up in age. Her experience was outstanding. The staff and MDs were great, responsive, compassionate and the 24/7 did come in handy a few time. I believe that arrangement helped her live until she was 95. When we moved to NC, my wife signed up for Concierge Care (same deal) and in my opinion, its been a benefit for her - not sickly, but when she is - needs aide ASAP - and they are managing her HBP and osteoporosis to her satisfaction. Five years later I joined when an opening occurred and have benefited from the call/text and get in service.

10 years ago my wife was seemed in poor shape from her cancer. I called the specialist who was treating her and he said it could wait until he could see her the next day. I called my VIP doctor on his cell phone and he told me to take her immediately to the ER. It turned out to be so serious she was in the hospital for 10 days.

Every penny I have paid to my VIP was worth it.

I've been with concierge care for years now, at 90$/month. I get same or next day appointments, all the time I need, and have been taken care of like you'd hope you would be.

I’ve had to switch doctors a couple of times because of stuff like this, and it’s always a pain. I get why they do it, smaller patient load, less insurance hassle, and they get to spend more time with each person. But for patients, it’s tough because not everyone can (or wants to) pay extra just to get basic care without long wait times.

If you really like your doctor and can swing the cost, it might be worth it for the convenience. But if not, there are still plenty of solid primary care options out there. I’ve had good experiences with community-based clinics and places like MFM Clinic, where you can still get quality care without a membership fee.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mac_220,

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I've been with concierge care for years now, at 90$/month. I get same or next day appointments, all the time I need, and have been taken care of like you'd hope you would be

I'm not that terribly old, but I recall a time where that was normal from your doctor, and at zero monthly/yearly expense. Of course that was back before insurance companies and large hospital systems "fixed" healthcare.

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Originally posted by a1abdj:

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I've been with concierge care for years now, at 90$/month. I get same or next day appointments, all the time I need, and have been taken care of like you'd hope you would be

I'm not that terribly old, but I recall a time where that was normal from your doctor, and at zero monthly/yearly expense. Of course that was back before insurance companies and large hospital systems "fixed" healthcare.

Yup, me too. My current doc is still pretty much like that (although the office part of his practice has become a bit of a headache due to being managed by the larger network system). Unfortunately he's nearing retirement, so we're going to have to find somebody else soon. I have no idea where we're going to go, but it sure isn't going to be to somebody who charges $3k+/year just to get in the door.

There are benefits already mentioned for routine care and convenience but these are not a replacement for real insurance if you have something major and catastrophic.

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Originally posted by 92fstech:

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Originally posted by a1abdj:

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I've been with concierge care for years now, at 90$/month. I get same or next day appointments, all the time I need, and have been taken care of like you'd hope you would be

I'm not that terribly old, but I recall a time where that was normal from your doctor, and at zero monthly/yearly expense. Of course that was back before insurance companies and large hospital systems "fixed" healthcare.

Yup, me too. My current doc is still pretty much like that (although the office part of his practice has become a bit of a headache due to being managed by the larger network system). Unfortunately he's nearing retirement, so we're going to have to find somebody else soon. I have no idea where we're going to go, but it sure isn't going to be to somebody who charges $3k+/year just to get in the door.

It goes far beyond just getting in the door. That is just one of the added benefits.