What To Know About Concierge Medicine: An Alternate Model of Care

For decades, the standard in healthcare has followed a familiar path—long wait times, brief appointments, rushed visits, and doctors who manage thousands of patients. This model, while widespread, often leaves patients feeling unseen, rushed, and stuck in a maze of insurance limitations. But in recent years, a new kind of healthcare model has quietly taken root and is changing lives: concierge medicine.

Concierge medicine is built on a simple but powerful principle: fewer patients, more time, and better care. Instead of trying to squeeze 20–30 appointments into a single day, doctors in this model care for a much smaller panel—often several hundred patients instead of several thousand. That shift means same-day or next-day appointments, direct access via phone or email, and longer visits that allow you to fully discuss your needs, not just your symptoms.

This personalized, high-access model isn’t new—it began in the late 1990s, and over 4,000 physicians in the U.S. now practice some version of concierge or retainer-based care. Studies show patients who opt into concierge care experience greater satisfaction, increased trust in their provider, and more engagement with their health goals (Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 2024). One study even found patients in concierge practices had fewer hospitalizations and better management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension (Open Access Emergency Medicine, 2020).

Why does this model work? It removes the two biggest barriers to quality care: time and red tape. With smaller patient panels and a direct payment model, physicians can spend more time with each patient, tailor prevention and wellness plans, and take a proactive rather than reactive approach. It also empowers patients to be true partners in their care.

Of course, concierge medicine comes with a membership fee—typically paid monthly or annually—which covers enhanced access and time with your doctor. This doesn’t replace traditional insurance (you still need it for laboratory testing, imaging studies, hospital care and specialist care), but it bridges a gap in day-to-day care. And for people who value prevention, accessibility, and ongoing support, adopting a concierge physician approach is often viewed as a worthy investment.

Critics argue that concierge medicine may create a two-tier system favoring those who can afford the fee. This is indeed a valid concern. However, healthcare access is already varied based not only on socioeconomic status, but also educational differences: people who educate themselves about their health, their treatments and learn preventive strategies on their own will receive a higher quality of care because of their own health empowerment. Quite often, individuals who appreciate the value of their own health education will prioritize and budget for high-quality and more accessible healthcare.

As an alternative to being purchased by private equity, many practices are able to resist by offering memberships or using the concierge model to stay in independent practice. For many physicians, this is far more acceptable than being absorbed by large corporate systems where some believe the quality of our healthcare has already begun to erode. For patients who value continuity, trusted relationships, and holistic attention, concierge care may simply offer something the traditional and corporate model cannot.

The benefit of concierge medicine may not be convenience alone—it’s transformation. Imagine a healthcare experience where your concerns aren’t rushed, where your provider knows you deeply, and where wellness—not just illness—is the goal. In this model, the physician becomes a true partner: guiding, listening, and empowering you to take charge of your well-being.

Is this model right for you? It depends on your health needs, your values, and what you expect from your care. If you’ve ever wished your doctor had more time to listen or that you could avoid the layers of frustration that often come with accessing care, concierge medicine may be worth exploring.

To help you learn more and have your questions answered about Concierge Healthcare, Seyhart Acupuncture for Anxiety is hosting a live webinar: “Understanding Concierge Medicine,” led by Seyhart founder, physician and wellness advocate Tara McCannel, MD, PhD. Register here to attend on: Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 10AM PST. The webinar will be recorded and shared.