More physicians aiming to provide concierge services - Top Stories (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)
Jim Crosson wanted to share this with you: Here is a article about primary care concierge services which are being offered by a physician I know in my home town. Please let me know how you feel about the idea of concierge services. - Jim
When Debra Doyle learned her physician was going to offer concierge service, she was eager to sign up. The Severna Park resident and her family had been patients of Dr. Stephen Katz for seven years. Doyle liked the idea of concierge service, which would enable her to pay an annual fee for services and get greater access to her physician. She thought this would be best since her youngest child lives in California and can only schedule appointments on the few days that she's in town. Doyle also has a connection with Katz. She believes it was his early testing of her husband that led to the diagnosis of a rare form of lymphoma. He has since recovered, but she likes seeing a doctor she has a history with. "All of this talk about a public plan scares me," Doyle said, adding that her father-in-law was in England when he had to unexpectedly have hip surgery. "It was not successful and it was a one-size-fits-all replacement. When he came (back to the United States), he had to get it done right. … I've heard too many horror stories of people not being able to see their own physician." Katz launched his so-called "concierge" or "hybrid" service in February. These services allow patients to pay a flat annual fee - Katz's fee is $1,600 - instead of using insurance to provide for their basic medical services. They also allow doctors to see fewer patients a day and provide more thorough examinations. There is also a financial benefit to physicians who have had to deal with low reimbursement rates from insurance companies. The current environment causes them to take on additional patients just to stay afloat. In some cases, doctors were seeing 25 patients a day at 15-minute intervals to remain financially viable, according to a report that was released earlier this year. "All primary care physicians are facing the same issues," Katz said. "We were really up against a wall. It was the pressure of seeing more patients or closing up shop. We don't have that now. This has eased the financial pressure of the practice." Last year, the Maryland Insurance Administration held a hearing on medical practices that offer concierge services, which are also called boutique or retainer services. Companies like MDVIP and Concierge Choice Physicians LLC administer the programs for medical practices. MDVIP is a national company with 26 physicians in the state, but none in Anne Arundel County. Concierge Choice, which allows physicians to divide their time between their regular practice and concierge services, has one practice in Maryland, Katz's Severna Park office. Currently, there is no data on the number of concierge practices in the state and there are no requirements that they report to any regulatory body, according to a report based on the hearing. The agency recommended that physicians thinking about offering these services avoid "engaging in the business of insurance" by making sure their annual fees are not greater than the market value of services. Also, concierge practices were encouraged to share their written agreements with the insurance administration. "We are having a growing number of physicians who are at least considering switching to concierge practices," said Gene Ransom, executive director of MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society. "I don't see it as a bad thing. It gives patients more choices. If patients want to have a situation where they can call their doctor whenever they want to get a higher level of service, I think it's really a patient right." Katz opted to offer a hybrid program with Concierge Choice last year. The company mailed information to patients and conducted two information sessions in the area. Once the program was implemented on Feb. 1, a company representative was at the office to answer any questions. The 125 patients in Katz's concierge service get annual physicals that can last nearly two hours. The exam includes a review of the patients' medical records back to childhood, making sure their immunizations are up-to-date and a consultation with a dietitian. There is also stress management counseling and direct access to Katz at all hours via cell phone or e-mail. The membership is limited to 150 patients. "I feel that we're providing better care to all patients now," Katz said. "We're seeing fewer patients a day and that gives us a little financial cushion."More physicians aiming to provide concierge services
Joshua McKerrow - The CapitalFrom left, office manager Maria Peacock, nurse practitioner Elaine Crane, registered dietician Mary Doerschner, and Dr. Stephen Katz. Dr. Katz is offering a concierge service to his patients.
There is also a financial benefit to physicians who have had to deal with low reimbursement rates from insurance companies. The current environment causes them to take on additional patients just to stay afloat. In some cases, doctors were seeing 25 patients a day at 15-minute intervals to remain financially viable, according to a report that was released earlier this year.
"All primary care physicians are facing the same issues," Katz said. "We were really up against a wall. It was the pressure of seeing more patients or closing up shop. We don't have that now. This has eased the financial pressure of the practice."
Last year, the Maryland Insurance Administration held a hearing on medical practices that offer concierge services, which are also called boutique or retainer services.
Companies like MDVIP and Concierge Choice Physicians LLC administer the programs for medical practices. MDVIP is a national company with 26 physicians in the state, but none in Anne Arundel County.
Concierge Choice, which allows physicians to divide their time between their regular practice and concierge services, has one practice in Maryland, Katz's Severna Park office.
Currently, there is no data on the number of concierge practices in the state and there are no requirements that they report to any regulatory body, according to a report based on the hearing.
The agency recommended that physicians thinking about offering these services avoid "engaging in the business of insurance" by making sure their annual fees are not greater than the market value of services.
Also, concierge practices were encouraged to share their written agreements with the insurance administration.
"We are having a growing number of physicians who are at least considering switching to concierge practices," said Gene Ransom, executive director of MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society. "I don't see it as a bad thing. It gives patients more choices. If patients want to have a situation where they can call their doctor whenever they want to get a higher level of service, I think it's really a patient right."
Katz opted to offer a hybrid program with Concierge Choice last year. The company mailed information to patients and conducted two information sessions in the area. Once the program was implemented on Feb. 1, a company representative was at the office to answer any questions.
The 125 patients in Katz's concierge service get annual physicals that can last nearly two hours. The exam includes a review of the patients' medical records back to childhood, making sure their immunizations are up-to-date and a consultation with a dietitian.
There is also stress management counseling and direct access to Katz at all hours via cell phone or e-mail. The membership is limited to 150 patients.
"I feel that we're providing better care to all patients now," Katz said. "We're seeing fewer patients a day and that gives us a little financial cushion."
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