Charlotte Doctors Open MDVIP-Affiliated Primary Care Practice
Alvin Abaqueta, M.D., and William Long, M.D., Bring Personalized Patient-Centered Care to the Queen City
MDVIP, the national leader in affordable personalized healthcare, announced today that Alvin Y. Abaqueta, M.D., and William J. Long, M.D., have opened an MDVIP-affiliated primary care practice in Charlotte, North Carolina, to deliver a better healthcare experience with an emphasis on prevention, not just the treatment of illness.
With a combined 50 years of experience practicing in the Charlotte community, Drs. Abaqueta and Long are both board certified in family medicine and maintain a relationship with Novant Health and Carolinas Medical Center. The opening of their practice grows the MDVIP network to five affiliated physicians in Charlotte.
“The high volume of patients typical in a traditional primary care practice makes it nearly impossible for physicians to focus on the individualized needs of each patient,” said Dr. Long. “By affiliating with MDVIP, we have the time to partner with our patients on building a customized wellness plan that helps them achieve their current and long-term health goals.”
“As primary care physicians, we’re focused not only on treating patients when they’re ill, but also on helping them prevent new health issues,” added Dr. Abaqueta. “This new practice model reinforces our commitment to promoting prevention and wellness in the Charlotte community.”
Personalized Preventive Care
MDVIP-affiliated physicians have significantly smaller practices, which allows them to spend more time with each patient and provide highly individualized primary care compared to traditional practices. Each patient receives the MDVIP Wellness Program, a comprehensive annual health assessment that includes advanced diagnostic tests and health screenings to give a more complete view of the patient’s overall health. Using the results, physicians provide one-on-one coaching and tools to help patients make healthier lifestyle choices, prevent disease and achieve their personal wellness goals.
Proven Health Outcomes
Published research supports the MDVIP model. Medicare patients in MDVIP-affiliated practices were admitted to the hospital 79% less than patients in traditional practices, and commercial patients were in the hospital 72% less, notes an American Journal of Managed Care study. This significant reduction in hospitalizations yielded a $300-million savings for Medicare in one year. Readmission rates for Medicare patients suffering heart attack, congestive heart failure, and pneumonia were dramatically lower than readmission rates for non-MDVIP Medicare patients.
Smaller Practice, More Time
Other benefits of an MDVIP-affiliated practice include same- or next-day appointments that start on time and last an average of 30 minutes. Physicians are reachable 24/7 by cell phone. If patients have an emergent need while traveling, their physician can help arrange care with a local hospital, pharmacy or doctor, which may include an MDVIP-affiliated physician. Demonstrating the value of the MDVIP model, patient satisfaction and annual membership renewals consistently exceed 90 percent.
About Alvin Y. Abaqueta
Dr. Abaqueta received his medical degree from Fatima College of Medicine in Manila, Philippines. He completed his internship and residency in Family Medicine and was Chief Resident at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Ill. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine and the Illinois Academy of Family Medicine. Dr. Abaqueta serves as Medical Director of several local rehabilitation facilities and is a clinical professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine.
About William J. Long
Dr. Long received his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Athens, Ga. He completed his internship and residency in Family Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. He is a member of the American Academy of Family Medicine and is also board certified in Geriatrics. Dr. Long serves as Medical Director for several Charlotte rehabilitation facilities. He has twice been named Top Doctor Charlotte.
About MDVIP
MDVIP is the market leader in retainer-based medicine with a national network of more than 900 primary care physicians focused on prevention and personalized healthcare. Learn more at www.mdvip.com.