Weight Loss and "Concierge" medicine

http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/09/18/ep.concierge.medicine/index.html

The above link discusses physicians that have opted to leave traditional insurance based medicine and instead, provide a more attentive, "concierge" type service to their patients. Same day appointments, access to their physician after hours via cell phone, weekend visits, etc. There is one catch: One has to pny up 1500 bucks a year "fee" for this service ON TOP OF all the other insurance premiums you are paying.

Why are physicians turning to this model? Not becasuse of greed...because of survival. A number of my colleagues are telling me that they cannot afford to pay their overhead and themselves a fair wage even with very busy practices. Insurance copanies have made it so difficult on these physicians, that their only choice was to get out of provate practice or turn to a different business model.

The insurance companies, as they have ben raising your premiums every year, have been lowering the fees they are paying physicians year after year. This has necessitated physicians trying to cram more and more patients onto their schedules which results in patients being made to feel like a "number". These same insurance companies will not recognize weight loss programs which of course, can save lives, lessen medication costs, etc.

Personally, I am very lucky i that I have not been participating with insurance companies for over 13 years now. We do see our patients the same day they are ill, people never feel that they have to "fight" for an appointment, I will see patients on Sundays and holidays, people get my cell phone number after hours, etc...but I do NOT ask people to pay any membership fee for these "concierge" services. This system has worked well for my patients and my office. Concerning our weight loss program, we will continue to always help you try to maximize your insurance benefits.

Congrats to you Redskin fans. They are surprising me. Giants had a close one yesterday...