Do you have basic questions about concierge medicine?

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​There are a few questions all curious physicians seem to have! Wayne Lipton, Managing Partner at Concierge Choice Physicians, has served hundreds of physicians, medical groups and patients for nearly 30 years. As an experienced industry insider, he jumps right in to answer the questions on everyone's mind.

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I already offer my patients quality care. Why would they pay to join a concierge program?

This is the most common question we get! What we have discovered after decades of research is, the most successful concierge programs are actually headed by physicians who already give their patients a high level of support and service. It turns out, when patients appreciate and value the time their physician spends with them, they are more likely to join.

In a full model concierge program, it’s more clearcut: patients join because they don’t want to leave their trusted physician. In a blended program like CCP’s Hybrid Choice™, patients join because it gives them peace of mind knowing they have a special relationship with the physician they love. The longer appointments and additional time they get is a source of comfort. Patients also join for conveniences, like shorter waits for appointments, easier ways to communicate, and assistance with medical tasks like securing specialist appointments and paperwork.

If I give out my cell phone number, are members going to be calling me and expecting me to answer the phone at all hours? Will it kill my private life?

The answer is unequivocally, no! This is one of the biggest concerns physicians have when they begin looking into concierge care and, fortunately, we find they get over this fear quickly, once their program begins.
It’s an understandable concern. Physicians are used to large patient panels and the thought of all those people having their cell phone number is stressful. But the nature of concierge medicine is different. First of all, the number of patients who are members is far fewer than the number of patients in a traditional practice, so the entirety of a physician’s patient panel won’t have their after-hours contact information. But, even more importantly, concierge members have easy ways to reach you during office hours or via email, therefore they have less need to contact you after hours. And finally, and perhaps most importantly, patients who join a concierge program tend to be the physician’s most loyal and respectful patients, rather than the needy patients who might take advantage. I can’t stress this enough.

​Will I have to make a financial investment to get started?

If you try to launch a concierge program yourself, you will be responsible for all of the startup expenses and all of the expenses that come with managing the program after your launch, like membership fee collection and ongoing sales and marketing. However, if you use a firm to assist you, the costs will vary. At Concierge Choice Physicians, there are next to no upfront costs. CCP handles all of the marketing and implementation expenses. Physician investment is negligible—like setting up a new phone line for concierge members in the office. After your program launches, we have a dedicated team of marketing, sales and accounting professionals that provide robust and ongoing support, all at no expense to the physician or medical practice.

I am a specialist. Can I offer a concierge program?

Yes, specialists can have very successful concierge programs. The nature of concierge medicine is about having a special relationship with patients, not necessarily about providing primary care. The right model is important. Many specialists rely on referrals and often see patients on an episodic basis, therefore they have particular needs. A full concierge practice can work but, often, a blended program—where a specialist continues to see traditional patients for consults, etc., and offers a limited membership program to those patients who they treat on an ongoing basis—works perfectly. We work with many specialists, particularly cardiologists and endocrinologists.

For more answers, visit our Resource Room where we have a collection of informative articles about concierge medicine, or contact us directly at 877.888.5590 or email [email protected].