Michele Andrews has seen an intern list for about 10 years from Boston for two hours west for two hours, Massachusetz No Samp Turn. She was satisfied with caring It becomes more and more difficult To make an appointment.
Andrews said, “You are talking about a few weeks to a month.
Many workplaces show that the supply of primary medical doctors is much lower than demand in rural areas, especially in the western Massachusetts. But Andrews still did not prepare for a letter from Christine Baker, Christine Baker last summer. Pioneer.
“We are writing to tell us the interesting changes we will do in my internal practice.” As of September 1, 2024, we will switch to concierge membership practice. “
Concierge Medicine is a business model where doctors claim monthly or annual membership fees. Even if the patient continues to pay premiums, copple and deductions. In return, the doctor restricts the number of patients.
Many doctors who have changed have said that some of the pressure faced in primary care have solved some pressure, such as seeing a patient too short in too short time.
Andrews was on the floor when I received a letter. “The second paragraph will say that it will be $ 1,000 a year for existing patients. For new patients will be $ 1,500,” she said.
The number is not tracked in one place, but Trade Magazine Concierge Medicine is today 7,000 ~ 22,000 The concierge doctor for US membership is from $ 1,000 to $ 50,000 a year.
Critics help to help patients who spend additional money in health care and to reduce the supply of traditional primary care practices in the community. In particular, it can be especially influenced by the rural community where the primary care option is insufficient.
Andrews and her husband had to pay for three months and pay or leave. They left.
Andrews said, “I was insulted and displeased.” “I never need to pay more in my pocket to get the treatment I need to receive as a premium.”
Andrews’ former doctor, Baker, said that less than half of the patient is much easier to manage, reducing the patient’s load from 1,700 to 800. Baker said she was stressed in consideration of retirement.
“I knew that some people would be very unhappy. I knew some people would like it,” she said. “And many people who have not joined will know why you are doing so.”
Another patient in Baker’s practice, Patty Healey, said he did not consider leaving.
“I knew I had to pay, and as a retired nurse, he was convinced that he knew about the lack of primary care, and that she would have a very difficult time to find a new doctor when she left.
“I can make my own interests because I can make my previous promise and may have a longer time about my concerns,” she said.
According to Michael Dill, this is a mystery of concierge medicine. American Medical College Association. Dill said that the quality of treatment can be paid to people who can pay and pay. “But it means that fewer people can access,” he said, “he said. “So every doctor worsens the tribe every time you make a switch.”
His association estimation The United States will face tribes 20,200 ~ 40,400 primary medical doctors In the next 10 years.
Status analysis We found that the proportion of the Western Massachusetts residents, who said that there is a primary medical provider, was lower than other regions of the Lord.
Dill said that in rural areas, the influence of concierge treatment is worse, so he is already experiencing a lack of doctors. DILL said, “Even one or two things will be made if you make a switch.
REBECCA STARR, an internist who specializes in nursing elderly nursing, recently began to practice concierge in Northampton.
She has been consulted with the first doctor for several years with a medical group for more than 15 minutes.
When star is opened Her medical practiceShe wanted to provide a longer appointment, but she still had enough profits to perform your business.
“I felt a bit torn. She was a dream to provide high -quality treatment in a small practice, but he said,” In addition to paying insurance, you have to claim people. “
STARR has $ 3,600 a year, and the patient’s load will be limited to 200, and some doctors are much lower than 1,000 or 2,000 patients. But she still did not reach her limits.
Starr said, “There are people who like to join and cannot join because they are definitely limited.
Many doctors who convert to concierge medicine say that the membership model is the only way to have personal relationships with patients who are first attracted to a job.
“It’s a way to practice self -preservation in this field of punishing both patients and doctors in this field,” said Shayne Taylor, a doctor who recently opened. practice We offer “first care” in the No Samp turn. The first medical model is similar to concierge care in claiming repeated fees for the patient. Direct treatment I bypass all insurance companies.
Patients of 300 Taylor pay $ 225 a month to visit the primary first care. Health insurance must be done for treatments such as X-ray and drugs. However, Taylor saves administrative costs because it does not accept insurance for his service.
Taylor said, “Oh, this is an eliteist, and this can only be approached to people with money.”
But she said that the traditional primary care model does not work. “We can’t spend a lot of time seeing and documenting many patients to get $ 17 additional $ 17 from an insurance company.”
Many pushbacks for membership models come from patients and policy experts. Some resistance comes from a doctor.
Paul KalanPrimary care doctor Valley Medical Group In Western Massachusetts, his practice is more stretched out at any time. One reason is that the group’s clinic absorbs some of the patients who have lost their doctors into concierge medicine.
Kalan said, “We all pay taxes and donate taxes to fund this training program.
Kalan said, “So some people who care for health in our country are public goods.“ We must worry when we make a decision on how people can reduce the ability to return the line to the public. ”
However, Taylor, who has the primary care practices, said it is not fair to require individual doctors to carry out a mission to fix a functional disorder medical system.
“We do this,” Taylor said.
This article comes from the contained partnership. New England Public Media,,, NPRAnd KFF Health News.
