FAQs

It is very important to be able to sort out concerns you have as a patient. Complex medical problems take patience and time. Different from a regular practice in which patient visits are often rushed, concierge medical appointments are 30 minutes long, which gives me time to go over your concerns and to develop a plan of action. This increases patient satisfaction and improves the physician-patient relationship.

Taking the extra time also allows me to review your medications and may help reduce the amount of medications you take. For me, it's very important for you to leave the office understanding treatment options and a plan of action. I like to think of it as "old-fashioned medicine."

The wellness and prevention program takes approximately 2 hours. It is generally split into 2 visits of one hour each. The first part will be testing and the second part will be meeting with me to review results, perform a physical examination, and develop a preventive and wellness plan for the year.

In a concierge program I have time to speak with a specialist to discuss your case. My staff can coordinate your appointment with a specialist and have all the information available to them when they see you.

Should you be hospitalized, I work with the hospitalist groups to help coordinate your care. I have access to hospital electronic health systems to follow your case daily. I will serve as your advocate in the hospital. I will make social visits on occasion.

If it's not a medical emergency, you should call me first. At that time we will decide if anything further needs to be done and I will help to coordinate your care. The majority of the time, problems may be some solved with some simple recommendations.

Joining a concierge practice is a choice. Illness can be unpredictable. In those times, it's important to have a personal physician who knows your health history. At the same time, it’s important to practice preventive medicine to maintain your health. Some patients only need to be seen once a year, but other patients may need to be seen multiple times per year depending on their medical conditions.

Yes, on a case-by-case basis within a limited radius from the office.

I have made arrangements with another local concierge physician to cover my practice. Many times, I will be available by cell phone or email.

Concierge programs are not health insurance. We still need to make sure you have health insurance to cover your hospitalizations, medications, specialist visits, diagnostic tests, and any other healthcare services you may need.

Visits outside the wellness and preventive health will be billed to your insurance. We are required to collect your copay, coinsurance, or deductible for your visits. If you have no health insurance, your copay will be discussed in advance. The cost of the program is not covered by Medicare or private insurance.

Please call for our current membership fees. All forms of payment are accepted.

I am committed to limit increasing the fees for as long as possible. As of now, the fees have remained unchanged for the past 5 years. I intend to maintain the same concierge membership fee for at least for the next 2-3 years.

The concierge fee may be considered tax deductible. We strongly advise you to consult your tax consultant to make sure.

Yes. The concierge wellness and prevention program may be considered a qualifying expense. Please verify with your employer’s plan administrator to make sure it's allowable.