Tell it Like it Is

 THE FEELING OF OUTRAGE - an extremely strong reaction of anger, shock, and    indignation.  (Just look at that baby boy.  He is outraged after listening to this article.)

                                 
​                                 "CONCIERGE" ​

                   Is it luxury?             Or          Is it medical?

HEARING THE WORD "CONCIERGE" BRINGS TO MIND A CARETAKER FOR A HOTEL, OR BUILDING; AN EMPLOYEE WHO ASSISTS WITH THEATER TICKETS OR RESTAURANT RESERVATIONS, APPOINTMENTS, OR VIP CLIENTS. 

When I researched the term, I came upon categories such as, Personal, Hotel, Travel, Lifestyle, Corporate, Residential, etc.
To me, concierge falls within the walls of a luxury type service or industry.  At least, that is what I thought????? 

Our personal life includes outside services of firemen, bankers, computer firms, policemen, electricians, attorneys, insurance, hairdressers, car specialists, pharmacists, dental services, medical doctors, and medical facilities.  All professions that we require assistance from daily. It is true, that "IT TAKES A VILLAGE" to run our personal lives in this day and age. 

OMG,  what would happen if all of these categories and more, started requiring a membership or "concierge" fee before attaining their services? Mind you, this fee has nothing to do with the actual cost of their service, but is an EXTRA. How could we afford this?  Just not possible you say, even though it is necessary. 
                                                         
                                                                      SURPRISE !!!

THERE IS A NEW "CONCIERGE" SERVICE SLOWLY GROWING MOMENTUM IN OUR DAILY LIFE. IT IS CALLED:           
                                                      "MEDICAL CONCIERGE PRACTICE" 

In some circles, the word "BOUTIQUE" is used. NO •••••• boutique does not mean fancy hats, makeup, designer items! In this case, it is referring to our good, old, family doctor who just wants more money for his services because he is a "special" worker in your daily life.
Here is the definition of Concierge Medicine: 
                                      "A platinum practice for direct primary care. An extra fee is required
                                        for you to have personal access to your doctor."

("Gee Mom, I remember the doctor making house calls. I remember Saturday appointments. Typically, 
this profession made themselves available 24/7.") 

​Now if you call your doctor's office, you get a recording, something like this:

                          "Please listen carefully. You have reached the office of Dr. Primary.
                           We are available from 10 am to 12 noon.
                           We are closed from 12 noon to 2 pm for lunch. 
                           We are then available from 2 - 4:30 PM. 
                            ONLY MONDAY-FRIDAY. No weekends. 
                            Any emergencies, dial 911 or go to the emergency room! 

(As an aside, this might change if the doctor has a golf game one day). Exaggeration?? 

No, not really ! Is it a joke? If so, THE JOKE IS ON US !! 

QUESTION: How does a concierge, or more properly, "a fee for nothing" practice work? 
ANSWER: You pay an upfront fee for the ability to call your doctor when you are sick, or for a regular visit. It is usually between $1250 and $2500 per person per year. I am told there are many practices who charge up to $10,000 per person per year. If you cannot afford this, it is okay with the doctor because he can now be more selective when choosing his patients. He can choose a wealthier base and have a perfect remuneration practice. 

QUESTION: Sounds like bias to me! Does not sound like the Hippocratic Oath the doctor swore to. 
ANSWER: Sounds like it sounds. 

QUESTION: Is there a contract? 
ANSWER: Yes. Typically, you sign a contract for one year. When that year is up, you can sign the next year's contract, usually with a fee increase. Some calculate this fee by age. It has NOTHING to do with your personal Medicare and/or secondary insurance that you are still expected to keep, and YOUR INSURANCE DOES NOT USUALLY PAY THE CONCIERGE FEE. 

QUESTION: What do you get for this? 
ANSWER: Telehealth visits and office visits are usually unlimited. This is just between doctor and patient. You will get same day or next day appointments. Generally, they promise more personal service. 

Our patient ponders all this, and thinks, "Of course I know that the doctor has spent many years on education and invested beau coup dollars in doing so. But, Doc, you are not the only profession that people invest time and money preparing for. In the case of the legal profession, there is usually a retainer fee. The difference is that the retainer fee is used for upfront charges as the case progresses, for your benefit. In the case of medical concierge fees, it is just an additional expense to the patient." 

EXAMPLE OF A CASE IN POINT: 
Dr. Primary is charging $2200 a person and limiting his practice to 450 patients. Let's do the math: 
                                                 $2200 X 450 patients= $990,000 a year. 
                                         YES, ALMOST A COOL MILLION DOLLARS!
                                         WITHOUT EVEN TAKING OUT HIS STETHOSCOPE ! 
          Dr. Primary has been this couple's primary doctor for over 16 years. When requested by the doctor, they subscribed to a more expensive medical plan for the doctor to be paid more. Mr. & Mrs. Patient have now been told it was not enough for Dr. Primary. The problem with insurance is that he actually has to work to get paid. With concierge fees, he doesn't have to do anything but pocket the fancy fee.  Dr. Primary even told Mr. & Mrs. Patient that, after the country club all day, his poor wife had to help him with paper work at night.
          Mr. & Mrs Patient received a formal letter informing them of the new practice. Two days later they called and were told that the practice was now "filled up". They were shocked! To make matters worse, other patients and doctors informed them that their doctor had been working on this sneakily for a whole year, securing and choosing his best financial patients. 
                                                         WHAT A SCAM!!! 

          Mr. & Mrs. Patient found that there were still other doctors out there who make a good living and yet care about their patients without a fancy "Concierge Fee."   Perhaps you would like to think of this as a tip, as you do in a restaurant?  There is a New York expression, "HE THINKS WHO HE IS."  IS IT ARROGANCE, CONCEIT, ENTITLEMENT ???

Take a stand.  It is all up to you. You can continue being scammed by these doctors or you can: 
                                               TELL IT LIKE IT IS !  IT IS AN OUTRAGE!

          Good Health to all! With this phenomenon, we certainly need it. Good Luck and like Mom said,                                                           "Remember" to eat your fruits and vegetables!" 

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