Concierge Medicine
What Is Concierge Medicine?
Haute MD Editorial Team
Concierge medicine is a membership-based healthcare model in which patients pay an annual or monthly retainer fee directly to their physician in exchange for enhanced access, longer appointments, same-day or next-day availability, 24/7 physician contact, and a fundamentally different level of care than conventional insurance-based medicine allows. The physician-patient ratio in concierge practices is typically 300–600 patients per physician versus 2,000–3,000 in conventional primary care, enabling the personalized attention, comprehensive preventive care, and direct physician access that define the model. Concierge medicine is not a medical specialty — it is a healthcare delivery model that can encompass primary care, preventive medicine, longevity medicine, and executive health.
How concierge medicine works and what membership includes
Patients pay a flat retainer — billed annually or monthly — directly to the practice. That fee covers the physician relationship: same-day or next-day appointments, 45–60 minute visits, direct cell or secure-message contact with the physician (often 24/7), an annual comprehensive physical with expanded labs and diagnostics, and active coordination across specialists, imaging, and hospitals. Insurance is still typically used for outside labs, imaging, specialist referrals, hospitalization, and medications.
The difference between concierge medicine and direct primary care
Both models replace insurance billing with a direct patient-to-physician payment relationship, but they sit at different price points. Concierge medicine generally charges $2,500–$25,000+ per year, maintains small panels, and often layers premium diagnostics and longevity protocols on top. Direct primary care (DPC) typically charges $50–$200 per month, bundles unlimited primary care visits and wholesale labs into a flat fee, and is designed for affordability rather than amenities.
Who concierge medicine is for and whether it is worth the cost
Concierge medicine delivers the strongest value for patients managing complex chronic conditions, executives and frequent travelers who need a coordinating physician, families that want a single doctor who knows everyone, and adults who want a genuinely proactive, prevention-first approach to long-term health. For healthy patients with infrequent care needs who are satisfied with their current PCP, the marginal benefit may not justify the fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concierge medicine cost?
Most concierge practices charge between $2,500 and $25,000 per year, with premium executive and longevity-oriented practices in major metros charging $30,000–$50,000+ annually.
Does concierge medicine replace insurance?
No. The retainer covers the physician relationship but not hospitalization, surgery, specialist care, prescriptions, or outside testing — you still need health insurance for those services.
What is the difference between concierge and DPC?
Concierge medicine is higher-priced with smaller panels and premium services; DPC is a lower-cost flat-fee model focused on bundled primary care, often without insurance integration.
What is included in a concierge medicine membership?
Typically unlimited visits, same-day or next-day appointments, 24/7 direct physician contact, an annual comprehensive physical with expanded diagnostics, and care coordination across specialists and hospitals.
Featured Haute MD Physicians
Dr. Alexander Golberg — Concierge & Longevity Medicine — New York, NY
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