For some years now, I've been taking my elderly mother to her various medical appointments. She's pretty healthy--at least, physically. However, as I tell her, she has a "touch" of Alzheimer's. In the past year, she's seen a regular eye doctor, an eye specialist, an emergency room doctor, a cardiologist, a neuropsychiatrist, a dentist, a variety of imaging technicians and, of course, her family doctor or general practitioner. Many of these folks we've seen more than once. Some more than twice.
My mother loves, LOVES, her family doc. She's been going to him for over 20 years now, and feels really comfortable with their relationship. My mother is a former registered nurse from a time when nurses were expected to stand when doctors entered a room and to give up their chairs to them. She rather idolizes doctors in much the same way she is awed by Catholic priests. Additionally, her doctor is of Irish extraction and left-handed; both big bonuses in her mind.
Honestly, I've grown fond of Dr. H, as well. He's 60-ish, handsome, kind, fashionable in the corduroy slacks/turtleneck/cool eye-wear kind of way, and best of all, he has a wonderful bedside manner with my mother. He takes time to answer her questions. Sometimes, two or three times. He patiently has the same conversation with her each time we see him--the conversation about how she is mostly Irish, is left-handed, how she used to be a nurse, how she had to walk-to-school-when-she-was-young-and-that's-why-she-has-such-good-health, blah blah blah. He is measured, considerate and pleasant. He takes time to meticulously check her medications list, to fill out forms required by her assisted living facility. Really, he's the best.
Today, I got a letter from the practice he shares with some five or six other doctors announcing that he and another one of the docs are leaving the group to form a "concierge-type practice."
Huh? What the hell is that?
Reading further, I learn the details of this business arrangement. The new practice will not have any relationship with health insurance groups or Medicare/Medicaid. Here's what you get for an annual retainer fee of $1,500:
- A comprehensive annual physical exam
- All routine lab work associated with your annual physical
- Same or next day appointments when you are sick
- Our experienced and professional staff answers the telephone personally when you call, no answering machines or voice mail and no buttons to push
- Access to Drs. H and M 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- Telephone, e-mail or fax communication as you prefer
- Unhurried on-time appointments, none less than 30 minutes
- Prescriptions can be phoned or faxed in to your pharmacy to reduce waiting time
- Most routine immunizations are provided at no additional charge
- Travel consultations will be included (travel immunizations at cost or by prescription)
- You will be provided with a statement suitable to be sent to your insurance company for possible reimbursement directly to you
- Practice is limited to the first 400 adults who register for each doctor; after that names will be placed on a waiting list
The exam includes an EKG when medically indicated, and the following laboratory tests: a CBC (complete blood count), chemistry panel, full cholesterol panel, thyroid screen, blood test for prostate cancer and PAP smear. Covered immunizations include annual flu shots, tetanus-diphtheria update every 10 years and pneumonia vaccine. Meningitis vaccines will be provided to children and adolescents. Other immunizations are not included, but will be available at cost.
There was some more stuff about payment schedules and how much more it'll cost you if you don't pay the entire fee up front. If you're 12 to 25, you're half price. For those 25 to 35, it'll cost you a cool grand each year, but still cheaper than the geezer rate.
Oh, and I guess this is pretty important: "While we will not be participating with any health insurance, you will need to keep your regular health insurance to pay for specialists, hospitalization, prescriptions and blood tests (those not included in the physical) as you do now."
After I read through the information, I went online to LEARN MORE about these boutique practices, or as they were sometimes labeled, "platinum" practices. You can see where this is going.
Thoughts, anyone?
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