In the early days of the pandemic, even medical experts were not aware of how far-reaching the effects of COVID-19 were going to be. But as we near the 2-year mark of health protocols and lockdowns, the fact that the old normal is never coming back is slowly starting to dawn on everyone.
The healthcare industry, for example, looks like it might never recover its pre-pandemic state. The sudden drop of in-person visits and the catastrophic economic impact of the pandemic revealed a glaring vulnerability in the traditional insurance-based fee-for-service (FFS) system.
However, one segment in the healthcare industry seems to be thriving now more than ever – concierge practice. But what is it exactly about concierge practice that makes it such a resilient model during this pandemic?
Efficient Health Monitoring
Before the health crisis, affluent clients were drawn to concierge practices because they offered some of the best ways to monitor general health and wellness.
As the pandemic raged on, however, it has become clear that the benefits of having a doctor available on-call round the clock and the routine check-ups are features that can help in keeping members healthy and COVID-free.
Routine Check-ups
Routine check-ups are part of what members pay for in the yearly fees of a concierge practice. It makes these models a good method for early detection of serious illnesses including COVID-19.
Flexible Modes of Consultation and Servicing
Concierge doctors are more flexible in terms of the medium of consultation. Scheduling, therefore, is much easier. This way, patients are also more likely to initiate a regular health check-up.
One of the most obvious benefits of being enrolled in a concierge practice at the onset of the pandemic is that they managed to procure and distribute COVID-19.
The practices in the FFS model, on the other hand, had their hands tied by the bureaucratic red tape associated with the insurance companies.
Members of concierge practices were able to routinely request for self-administered test kits to be delivered to their homes. FFS patients, on the other hand, had to physically wait in line to get evaluated whether they even qualified for the test kit.
As for patients already infected by the virus, having 24/7 access to a physician is also a huge benefit. It allowed them to ask doctors what to do to self-medicate at home and avoid being admitted to crowded hospitals.
In a way, concierge medicine helped alleviate the pressure on the public health sector.
Cost-Efficient Healthcare
Concierge medicine may sound expensive at first with a price range of $3000 – $10,000 annually depending on the range of services offered. However, compared to traditional insurance, members realized that this price range is actually good value for money.
No Bill Shock
There are also other expenses tied to traditional FFS practices that may make them even more expensive compared to concierge medicine. Deductibles such as cost-sharing and co-payment expenses in FFS models, for example, can truly cause some bill shock.
Straightforward Costs
With a concierge model, the breakdown of coverage of the annual fees is plainly laid out. This practice effectively eliminates confusion and any potential for bill shock.
Discounted Services
Services and medical equipment usage are also often largely discounted. This alone can make the total cost of healthcare more palatable even for less well-to-do members.
Adaptable Healthcare
Another crucial benefit of enrolling in a concierge model is its flexibility. Some concierge practices were able to quickly pivot into COVID-19 home care packages when the pandemic hit.
However, this flexibility is not exclusive to COVID-19. There are other aspects of Concierge Medicine membership that can be changed quite easily precisely because insurance companies are not as big of a factor in concierge practices.
Another example of the elite adaptability of concierge practices is in how some have begun distributing health subscriptions boxes. From dental hygiene kits, diabetes treatment kits, to COVID-19-specific care kits, they have been creative in the way they provide service to each of their members.
Concierge physicians are also free to scale up or scale back on their services to accommodate the different needs and circumstances of their members. For some concierge doctors, oxygen support and imaging services became bestsellers.
The success of concierge medicine as a healthcare model is one of the few positives to come out of the pandemic. It has proven to be an efficient health monitoring tool for outpatients that didn’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
If the trends are to be examined, there is no reason to think that this COVID-inspired boom in concierge medicine would be halted even in a post-pandemic world.
Now, isn’t that such a comforting thought? Making exceptional healthcare accessible to patients like you is our ultimate goal. Enjoy the best that healthcare has to offer, and find a concierge doctor in your area.
