Boutique medicine, also called concierge medicine or direct care, is much much different than the regular old patient doctor relationship. A concierge doctor is paid an annual fee and kept on retainer in order to provide her or his employers with enhanced medical care. The specialists essentially become paid members of the staff as long as their medical services are required. Across the country, the profession is surprisingly and significantly growing.
The concepts of concierge medicine can be traced back to a Seattle doctor in 1996. The doctor was a physician for the Seattle Supersonics who thought about giving people besides famous athletes the option of more personal and advanced care. Physicians that opt to join a direct health program typically go from treating four thousand patients a year down to just fifty families.
A typical example of the health care model would be a staff or boutique specialist being summoned by a particular family or organization in order to treat a minor ailment or injury such as infections, deep wounds, and fevers. The physician arrives at the house or building bringing with him a vast number of medical instruments and tools. If necessary, he or she can write and fill prescriptions for the employers as well.
Though the medical system is not for everyone, boutique medicine does have its perks. Rather than waiting weeks to see their doctors, participating patients have round the clock access to them. And even though they are often summoned on weekends or during the night, most concierge physicians prefer their reduced patient load.
The annual fees and retainers vary widely from doctor to doctor but generally range from five to six thousand dollars. Most concierge practices prefer not to deal with insurance companies as well, sticking instead to cash or check payments. However their services should not be an alternative to insurance since hospital stays and surgeries may be necessary.
The relatively new form of medicine is not without its faults either. Opponents of direct care medicine claim that the system promotes a segregated health system which prefers the overly wealthy. Many people often state that it burdens the lower and middle classes with higher insurance costs as well.
Unlike concierge methods, their direct care counterparts don’t give their physicians the option of even choosing to accept deductibles or insurance payments. They feel it’s worth it to not have to deal with insurance companies.
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