CMT Research Brief · PDF Download
One of the most misunderstood terms in modern healthcare finally gets a clear, sourced, honest definition — and a clean line drawn between concierge medicine, direct primary care, and executive health programs.
Updated June 2026
One of the most misunderstood terms in modern healthcare, "concierge medicine" deserves a clear, honest definition — for physicians considering the model and patients considering joining one.
This plain-language research brief and whitepaper from Concierge Medicine Today cuts through the confusion. Drawing on peer-reviewed sources including the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Journal of Medicine, and the Annals of Internal Medicine, this guide explains:
What concierge medicine actually is — and the structural feature that sets it apart from other models
How it differs from Direct Primary Care (DPC) — related, but not the same
How it differs from Executive Health programs — episodic vs. longitudinal care
What it is not — addressing the most common misconceptions about cost, insurance, and specialty
Whether you're a physician exploring practice design options or a patient researching your healthcare choices, this brief gives you the foundational clarity to make informed decisions.
Educational and informational. Does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Published by Concierge Medicine Today, an independent leadership publication. © 2026.
CMT Research Brief · PDF Download
One of the most misunderstood terms in modern healthcare finally gets a clear, sourced, honest definition — and a clean line drawn between concierge medicine, direct primary care, and executive health programs.
Updated June 2026
One of the most misunderstood terms in modern healthcare, "concierge medicine" deserves a clear, honest definition — for physicians considering the model and patients considering joining one.
This plain-language research brief and whitepaper from Concierge Medicine Today cuts through the confusion. Drawing on peer-reviewed sources including the New England Journal of Medicine, the American Journal of Medicine, and the Annals of Internal Medicine, this guide explains:
What concierge medicine actually is — and the structural feature that sets it apart from other models
How it differs from Direct Primary Care (DPC) — related, but not the same
How it differs from Executive Health programs — episodic vs. longitudinal care
What it is not — addressing the most common misconceptions about cost, insurance, and specialty
Whether you're a physician exploring practice design options or a patient researching your healthcare choices, this brief gives you the foundational clarity to make informed decisions.
Educational and informational. Does not constitute medical, legal, or financial advice. Published by Concierge Medicine Today, an independent leadership publication. © 2026.
