6 Things to Know About Concierge Medicine

The doctor will see you ASAP. A small but growing number of doctors are using the concierge model to offer more-personalized care. Among the perks are the ability to contact your phys­ician at any time and to schedule same-day appointments. In return for this enhanced service, patients pay an annual or monthly fee, which often totals about $1,200 to $5,000 per year, estimates Michael Friedlander, of Specialdocs Consultants. Doctors who practice in expensive areas tend to charge the highest fees; a high fee may also mean that they limit their practice to fewer patients.