Even the most successful doctors will admit there are aspects of their practices that could stand some improvement. For instance, a large portion of physicians might say they wish they could spend more time working face-to-face with the people they treat. Others might add they would like to reduce the amount of paperwork their staff has to fill out, so they could be free to do other tasks. More than a few would probably say they’d like to make the process of scheduling appointments easier for their patients.
It might sound too good to be true, but there is a way for you to make all these improvements — and more — in one fell swoop. Converting to the concierge model of medicine provides your practice with a host of benefits that can significantly improve the quality of care you provide, as well as your financial standing. But what is a concierge practice, and what makes it unique? Read on to learn the answers so you can decide for yourself.
What Is a Medical Concierge Service?
The traditional model of health care means physicians and specialists aren’t typically paid directly by their patients. In most cases, they are reimbursed for services by insurance providers.
Under the concierge model, patients pay a recurring membership fee directly to their health care providers that covers most services that require an office visit. Rather than having to submit paperwork to insurers to receive reimbursement for claims that can take time to process and have no guarantee of being accepted, concierge doctors receive a steady, dependable source of income.
Why Is Concierge Medicine Good for Physicians?
Without the red tape and headaches caused by dealing with insurers, doctors and their offices can experience a number of benefits. These include:
- Less paperwork: By eliminating the intermediary between you and your revenue, the number of forms your staff will have to fill out is reduced to a significant degree. This means you can reduce your overhead and devote more of your team’s time to handling requests that come directly from patients.
- More patient interaction: When you have a reliable source of income from your practice’s members, you won’t need to pack your waiting room with appointments just to make ends meet. This means you should be able to devote more time to each patient, resulting in better care and more satisfied customers. This also helps prevent the burnout that causes many physicians to feel overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted.
- More availability: One of the most common frustrations your patients may have is trying to make an appointment that fits with their schedules. This can be difficult if you’re forced to take on as many patients as possible. One of the primary advantages of the concierge model is that you can keep your patient base small, allowing you to offer more flexibility when scheduling visits.
More Than Money
Although transitioning to concierge medicine means your practice can depend on a more predictable revenue stream, that’s not the only reason you should consider it. Without insurance providers looking over your shoulder and refusing to pay for certain treatments they deem not worth the expense, you should have more latitude to choose the course of action that seems right to you and the people you treat.
Considering a Better Mode of Care
If you’re thinking the concierge model might be a good fit for you and your patients, the next step should be to contact Specialdocs Consultants. We have the expertise and experience to help you and your practice transition successfully to this framework in a way that won’t be jarring or risky. We’ve helped numerous practices make the switch without significant disruptions to their operations. To learn more about what we can do for you, reach out and talk to us today.