FOR THE MEDIA

How Concierge Medicine Improves Patient Outcomes and Experiences

The combination of readily accessible physicians and ongoing engagement contributes to a positive care experience. One 2019 survey reported a 98-percent satisfaction rate for patients, with 80 percent of physicians describing their morale as “very positive.” (Eastwood; 2022)

In addition, peer-reviewed research has shown a positive impact on clinical outcomes and care costs. A 2020 review of commercially insured patients with access to One Medical found a 45 percent reduction in total health spending, including a 54 percent reduction in specialty care costs. Meanwhile, a 2018 paper found that MDVIP physicians succeeded in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease in more than two-thirds of patients. Additional research has linked concierge medicine with an 80-percent reduction in hospital admissions among Medicare beneficiaries. (Eastwood; 2022)

“The model works well for consumers,” Jorgensen says. “Yes, they spend out of their own pocket, but the model does improve clinical outcomes and lowers costs.” (Eastwood; 2022)

A refreshing change for patients and physicians

“It’s evident that the healthcare delivery marketplace requires a transformation,” states the Editor-in-Chief of Concierge Medicine Today, the leading publication in the industry. “This could involve reimagining the executive healthcare model as some have already done, establishing pay-as-you-go or cash-only primary care clinic, or introducing subscription plans that encompass services not covered by traditional insurance or Medicare. The reasoning behind these models is unmistakable. Ultimately, these pioneering subscription solutions provide a refreshing change for the upcoming generation of patients, and I truly believe they will aid both doctors and patients in navigating the future of our healthcare system, fostering connection rather than division. It is no longer about being the best Doctor in the world anymore, it’s about being the best Doctor FOR the world, FOR your patients and FOR your local community!”

~Editor-in-Chief, Concierge Medicine Today

THESE ARE business model(s)

“When you look at the big picture and zoom out for a moment,” says the Editor-in-Chief, “It should be noted that these figures only represent an insignificant percentage of the roughly 1,101,735 total licensed physicians* in the U.S., (Kaiser Family Foundation; Jan 2025) that actively practice in one of these versions of cash-pay, subscription or membership-based medicine today. Industry experts and observers tell Concierge Medicine Today that growth in the provision of subscription private medicine services continues to be primarily in internal medicine and family medicine, although more and more specialty physician and health systems movement is on the rise. Concierge Medicine Today also cautions that there is no way that Internet searches and polling, maps, or the Internet can or will result in an accurate head count of these subscription-based and cash-pay business models. Therefore, it is left up to industry leaders, consultants, legal examiners, physicians and thought experts in the space, to accurately estimate and educate others about the history, trends, pros, cons and future of this innovative medical space.”

Growth Expectations

In an article by HealthTech written by Brian Eastwood in December of 2022, Grand View Research estimates that the concierge medicine market will grow more than 10 percent annually each year until 2030. The consultancy cites several factors, including a continued increase in patient volume that started during the pandemic, greater financial stability due to limited reliance on insurance reimbursement, and improved quality of life for physicians. (Eastwood; 2022)

However, the industry’s trade publication, Concierge Medicine Today, has a slightly more conservative estimate of 6-7% growth rate year over year, based on industry observations, physician interviews and experts’ outlook.

Future Forecasts + Trends

According to Precedence Research, a worldwide market research and consulting organization in December of 2023 in a press release (click here) published on Globe Newswire, the U.S. concierge medicine market size accounted for USD 6,633.91 billion in 2023 and grew to USD 6,958.51 million in 2024, expanding at a CAGR of 5.70% between 2023 and 2032. The press release by Precedence Research also said the global concierge medicine market size is projected to surpass USD 34.27 billion by 2032, increasing from USD 19.12 billion in 2023 and is expanding at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2023 to 2032 (Precedence Research; 2023).

Services Typically offered

For the cost of the retainer fee, patients benefit from longer in-person visits; hour-long annual wellness exams are not uncommon. In addition, concierge medicine practices typically offer same-day or next-day appointments along with after-hours access to care via phone, text or email. The fee may also cover wellness programs, health coaching and other types of services. Some practices offer discounted services for additional family members. MDVIP, for example, offers care to members’ children until they turn 26. (Eastwood; 2022)

STUDIES and DATA SUPPORTING THE PCM or today’s more contemporary concierge medicine and RELATED VERSIONS OF TODAY’S membership MODEL(s) IN HEALTHCARE

With the trust gap widening between patients and physicians, it was recently found that 60% of primary care physicians feel they need to earn trust back with patients post-pandemic (MDVIP; 2025) and 1 in 3 reaching “burned out” status – on the Patient Frustration Index, which measures common healthcare pain points across major population groups (MDVIP; 2024). What’s even more remarkable is that around half of these practitioners mentioned have been actively learning from currently successful practices, affiliated organizations and pioneering physicians in the field and experimenting with various subscription and membership pricing models of their own. What’s even more encouraging is that data and studies from the industry reveal some surprising findings:

1. One study from MDVIP shows personalized primary care reduces ER visits, hospitalizations and outpatient expenditures for diabetic population. The study found that the MDVIP model substantially decreases costs in the diabetic population by year five of enrollment in the preventive care program. After the first post-enrollment year, the mean costs continue to rise for the comparison population, while flattening for MDVIP beneficiaries. The study found decreased unplanned hospital admissions, emergency room visits and outpatient expenditures. At year five, MDVIP patients have statistically significant lower Medicare expenditures. These patients also showed increases in primary care office visits, as their physicians spend more time coaching and monitoring their progress (MDVIP; 2020).

2. Another study notes that personalized preventive care yields decreased costs and better health management. A study in Population Health Management from MDVIP (MD-Value In Prevention) highlights how a primary care model based on personalized preventive care achieves definitive cost savings and improved health management within three years of adoption. The study, appearing in the February 2016 edition of the peer-reviewed journal, reinforces earlier research published in 2012 in the American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC) proving the efficacy of the MDVIP model(MDVIP; 2016).

3. And finally, another study proves dramatic reduction in hospitalizations and $300 million savings for MDVIP's Personalized Healthcare Model. MDVIP-affiliated physicians have the time to focus on acute, chronic and preventive health issues, and this increased physician contact time results in improved outcomes for patients and ultimately lowers healthcare costs (MDVIP; 2012, 2013).

• How would you some experts define today’s more contemporary version of concierge medicine (present day)? For one last industry perspective, a CEO of one of the conversion companies had this to say to Medical Economics when asked ‘How would you define concierge medicine?’ The CEO said “I would define it simply by saying that physicians elect to reduce their patient panels to much more manageable sizes so they can provide the care their patients deserve. Patients who join the practice pay a membership fee either annually, semiannually or quarterly. In exchange for that membership fee, the patients maintain (or gain) that deep, intimate relationship with their doctor, receive the ability to schedule same-day or next-day appointments and have longer, more comprehensive office visits and annual exams. The practice size typically is reduced from 2,000 to 3,000 patients to 300 to 500. The practice becomes more manageable at that size, and as our affiliated doctors tell us, they have the time to think, plan, dig deeper with their patients and really focus on health, wellness and disease management, not just the symptom of the day. I would [also] say, it’s not for every physician. We receive dozens of inquir­ies every week from doctors all over the U.S. and engage with between 5% to 8% of them. The ideal candi­date is a doctor who’s in internal medicine, family practice or another specialty where there is an ongoing physician-patient relationship. Being located in a market where they’ve been practicing for at least five years is also key. Once they have a following of patients and longer-term relationships, they develop a depth of intimacy with their patients. Also important is that the market where they practice has a median household income above a certain level — and let me add that this is not just for wealthy people. A median household income above $75,000 and median household net worth of $250,000 has proven to be sufficient for patients to make this valuable investment in their health. I don’t want anyone thinking this is only for people in Beverly Hills or New York City. So if it’s the right doctor, in the right market, with the right specialty, today physicians must also have high patient ratings on Google and Healthgrades. Due diligence by both the doctor and the concierge medicine management company must be completed and if everything meets expectations; a detailed plan must be constructed. It takes between 90 and 120 days from the signing of the agreement to the time the concierge practice opens. There are many steps before launch including … ongoing patient communication and engagement, developing a customized website, creating a crystal clear message, confirming a vision for the practice, and training the staff.” (Mazzolini; 2023)

Strong Focus on Prevention + Relationship With Patients

"Concierge Medicine practices and programs today are typically known for their focus on prevention and have often curated strong relationships between Patients and the Physician and Patient and the staff. So in essence, staff and Doctors don’t usually have to look at a medical chart to remember your name."

~Editor-in-Chief, Concierge Medicine Today

MORE CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION

“The Concierge Medicine Physician of modern-day today is in my opinion … purposefully more communicative and intentional about blending customer service techniques and social graces into the rhythm of his/her daily medical practice environment which in turn, creates a unique bond between Physician and Patient. Couple that with preventative care conversations and innovative healthcare services and we all have something to lean into. In summary, it's no longer about being the best Doctor in the world anymore, it's about being the best Doctor for the world.”

~Editor-in-Chief, Concierge Medicine Today

PRIMARY DRIVERS OF GROWTH AND INTEREST BY PATIENTS AND PHYSICIANS

• FOR PATIENTS: Patient interest is always growing and it’s difficult to calculate but the Physicians we’ve interviewed and talk to every week — it’s because they’re frustrated with the current healthcare marketplace. These subscription models (at all price points) offer patients, families and individuals the convenience, respect, dignity and transparency the traditional, plan reimbursed marketplace isn’t delivering on.

• FOR DOCTORS: For Doctors, career satisfaction is very, very high (see below FAQs). These practice models allow the physicians to not have to look at a medical chart to remember the patients name anymore. Don’t get us wrong, they’re still telling us they work long hours in the practice seeing patients and often spend a lot of time on the business side of the practice — but the work in so much more rewarding. Just read some of the FAQs (see below) as well as the Physician comments here and talk to the industry consultants about their experience helping doctors. You can find a list of those resources helping doctors move into these models here.