When it comes to finding the best medical care for you, finding the right doctor can feel overwhelming. But one increasingly popular option is concierge care, a patient-first philosophy in which a comprehensive range of medical services designed to meet an individual's health needs are offered under one roof — lab tests, exams, wellness treatments and more.
Dr. Linsey Atchison, an internal medicine specialist at Concierge Care of Naples, joined Gulf Coast News to debunk some common myths surrounding concierge medical care.
Concierge medicine allows patients to pay directly (often referred to as non-insurance or out-of-pocket) to have better access to care and better access to their doctors. Because concierge medicine physicians are not restricted by insurance and visit length, they are able to keep their patient population more intimate. It’s a similar concept to an educational setting; the smaller the class size, the more direct access students have to a professor or educator.
In addition to regular office hours, Atchison says it allows doctors to provide 24/7 direct access to patients. This removes the need for urgent care visits or an after-hours answering service. Doctors can also visit your home or your home away from home if you’re a seasonal resident or frequent traveler via telehealth.
The largest misconception about concierge care is that it is too expensive and only available to the wealthy. Patients who are considering trying a concierge model for the first time often evaluate what they are paying monthly for insurance, additional costs required to reach their deductible or out-of-network costs and how that sum compares to a flat fee or membership at a concierge practice.
When comparing costs, Atchison says it is important to factor in time savings as well. Having a doctor on call all the time means you don’t have to go to urgent care at 10 p.m., spend hundreds of dollars and still have to go back to a different provider the next day or week. Insurance can still cover lab, equipment fees, etc. (e.g. MRIs, CT scans) at Concierge Care of Naples.
For more information about concierge medical care, check out Concierge Care Naples online. You can also call the office at 239-566-1577.
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