What Are Concierge Health Care Services?

Concierge health care services offer patients a more personable, one-on-one relationship with their doctor. Concierge health care is generally not covered by health insurance, or is considered "out of network," and is more costly than regular health care.

Smaller Practices

• Concierge doctors are able to devote more time to individual patients since their practices are generally about one third the size of a regular practice.

Shorter Waits, Longer Visits

• Regular doctor's visits can last a matter of minutes, with a long wait in the reception area beforehand. Concierge doctors are able provide more thorough care and devote more time to each patient. Some concierge doctors will also make house calls.

Round-the-Clock Doctor

• Patients who sign up for concierge health care services are often provided with their doctor's personal phone number and are able to reach her with any concerns at any time of day.

Preventative Care

• Another draw of concierge health care is its focus on preventative care, which can catch diseases early before they have a chance to do much damage. An annual check up includes a range of tests not ordinarily ordered.

Higher Costs

• A drawback of concierge health care is the high price. Many concierge practices charge an annual fee that ranges from $1,000 to $1,800. The cost may be prohibitively high for many individuals.