Obama Care Part II

[mlmpetert]

I got another letter in the mail over the weekend....

This time is was an announcement from my doctor, a primary care physician/ internist, that his practice was going to a concierge service.

For those unfamiliar with concierge type doctors, all it means is that they charge a yearly fee on top of the standard cost of a doctors visit. Basically a retainer to go to your doctor. In the past most of the doctors did this to cater to wealthy and/or demanding patients who wanted to spend more than 10 mins with their doctor each visit or perhaps to call them to get a prescription instead of going in for something minor.

Its become much more common place in the last few years with the growing shortage of doctors. I also personally believe established doctors are going concierge to cut back their hours without significantly cutting back their incomes as they transition into retirement. It probably makes sense from a succession planning perspective too. And now with Obamacare its never made more sense. With more patients on the immediate horizon (increasing demand) and an aging physician population (reducing supply), doctors are now in good position to charge all of those who can afford it (the middle class) a retainer.

[Daseal]

Interesting. Never seen a Dr. do that before, but not surprising. Out of curiosity, what is the retainer? Is it significant?

Originally Posted by mlmpetert

I got another letter in the mail over the weekend....

This time is was an announcement from my doctor, a primary care physician/ internist, that his practice was going to a concierge service.

For those unfamiliar with concierge type doctors, all it means is that they charge a yearly fee on top of the standard cost of a doctors visit. Basically a retainer to go to your doctor. In the past most of the doctors did this to cater to wealthy and/or demanding patients who wanted to spend more than 10 mins with their doctor each visit or perhaps to call them to get a prescription instead of going in for something minor.

Its become much more common place in the last few years with the growing shortage of doctors. I also personally believe established doctors are going concierge to cut back their hours without significantly cutting back their incomes as they transition into retirement. It probably makes sense from a succession planning perspective too. And now with Obamacare its never made more sense. With more patients on the immediate horizon (increasing demand) and an aging physician population (reducing supply), doctors are now in good position to charge all of those who can afford it (the middle class) a retainer.

[mlmpetert]

Originally Posted by Daseal

Interesting. Never seen a Dr. do that before, but not surprising. Out of curiosity, what is the retainer? Is it significant?

It wasn't on the letter but I just called them and its $1,650 per year. That seems on the higher end of what ive heard from other people. Plus there isn't really anything special about my doctor, so in my opinion it seems really high.

I think normal in the Richmond area is 1k - 1.5k. I think for the really good doctor practices where you are truly getting additional care, the people who can afford it are paying 5k. I have a client whose wife has chronic illness and they pay 20k for her doctor, but that's for someone who needs special medical attention and things like regular house calls.