If you've ever wished you could have more time during your regular doctor's appointments or wonder why you can't email a question after hours, an increasing number of doctors are now offering more access to more services. These special services come at an increased price, however.
In what's often referred to as concierge medicine, a doctor provides extra services, but you'll pay an extra annual, quarterly or monthly fee in addition to what your insurance pays.
Would you be willing to pay extra for these special services?
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Increased access
If you have health-related concerns on the weekends or after 5 p.m., your options are usually limited to locations such as urgent care centers or emergency rooms. They're usually more expensive than a traditional doctor's office visit, and you also may have to follow up with your regular doctor afterward.
Some doctors, however, give patients their email address and cell phone numbers, so they're available virtually around the clock. Among other things, they'll answer questions, give instructions and clarify information you received at an earlier appointment.
More time for appointments
Many doctors feel pressed for time, trying to fit in a certain number of patients per day. Their reimbursements from insurance companies may not have risen as fast as costs, or they may even have been declined. As a result, the average doctor's visit lasts just 13 to 16 minutes, according to a survey of more than 19,200 doctors.
Doctors who participate in concierge medicine limit their practice to fewer patients, so they're able to devote more time to each one. Instead of scheduling appointments in 15-minute blocks, a doctor in this type of practice often schedules 30 to 45 minutes for routine follow-up visits and an hour or more for annual exams or for new patients.
House calls
The idea of a doctor making house calls sounds like a thing of the past, but some doctors now offer this option. It's not appropriate in every circumstance, of course, since a doctor won't have access to more advanced equipment outside an office or hospital setting.
In some cases, a doctor can provide the level of care you need without making it necessary for you to leave home. This saves time and effort for any patient, but it's particularly valuable for those with mobility issues.
Extended annual physical
A basic annual physical usually involves a discussion of your health history, as well as a physical examination. It doesn't include any laboratory tests, but many doctors will routinely order tests such as a complete blood count and urinalysis.
A doctor who practices concierge medicine will often offer an extended annual exam, which may include extra testing. For example, your doctor might conduct an Hs-CRP test, which checks for inflammation that can indicate an infection, chronic inflammatory disease or an increased risk of heart disease.
The following are a few of the metro Atlanta area practices that provide concierge medicine:
Buckhead Concierge Internal Medicine
91 W Wieuca Road NE, Atlanta. 404-257-5585. bcimonline.com.
Personal Care Physicians of Atlanta
5673 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 404-256-3135. pcpatl.net.
Sandy Springs Internal Medicine
755 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Atlanta. 678-252-6395. ssim.com.
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