Specialties and Concierge Medicine

To what extent is concierge practice making inroads into specialties?

"Ten years ago, concierge medicine was mostly a primary care adaptation story. Today, cardiologists, endocrinologists, OB-GYNs, gastroenterologists, and even oncologists are adopting a compliant business model. It's actually no longer just a practice model, it's becoming a mindset across medicine. We've observed over the years that concierge medicine physicians have found a more sustainable pace in their practice model, whereby they see more clearly that excellence in healthcare isn't just learned and applied clinical skill; it's also about dignity, attention, timeliness, and clear communication with patients and team members. Those aren't extras, they're expectations every patient has today.² That's why concierge medicine, from our seat on the bus, is becoming the new reference point, the standard others working in healthcare are measured against. The future belongs to physicians who lead, who remove every unnecessary obstacle for the patient, and who build systems that make servanthood and gratitude for the patient in healthcare repeatable."

— The Editor-in-Chief, Concierge Medicine Today

What's the prevalence of concierge medicine in the U.S.?

"Concierge medicine may be small in size, but it's big on purpose. While industry sources note year after year that fewer than 2% of all licensed U.S. doctors practice in some version of subscription-based healthcare delivery, that's about 8,000 to 12,000 practices in the U.S., at least a quarter of those are now specialists.¹ We've also observed incremental growth in adoption, and it's been steady at what we hear is about 4–7% a year, some would say higher, but we like to stay realistic, not evangelistic. So while concierge medicine is still a small percentage of the 1.1 million U.S. physicians,³ it's quickly becoming the reference point the rest of the industry is measured against."

Which specialties are an ideal fit, and why?

"The specialties that fit best aren't defined by procedures, they're defined by relationships. Anywhere patients need time, clarity, and ongoing management, cardiology, women's health, pediatrics, oncology, concierge medicine works.⁴ The specialties entering concierge medicine now represent a real share of the practices out there today. It's hard to say exactly how many because this is a business model, not a regulated specialty, but we're seeing more and more specialties enter this space, especially within the past decade, and that's encouraging for patients and for physicians and other healthcare practitioners."

Patients may forget the procedure, the paperwork, or what the doctor actually said earlier that day in the exam room, but they'll never forget how you made them feel.

The Editor-in-Chief, Concierge Medicine Today

How much time should physicians plan to prepare, and what are the early steps?

"The average runway I'd estimate is 12 to 18 months. The first steps aren't about contracts or spreadsheets, they're about finding clarity: know your why, talk with your family, surround yourself with a trusted business advisory and consulting team, and learn from a few respected colleagues who've made the switch but have humility and aren't evangelistic about any particular model of practice. We often encourage doctors to do their homework, write down all of their detailed questions, and go find the answers with experts who can put their mind at rest."

Are there personality traits that make for successful concierge physicians?

"The physicians who thrive in concierge medicine share four traits: curiosity about patients, humility as leaders, gratitude for those they serve, and a heart for their community. At the end of the day, healthcare isn't just about medicine, it's about people."

What are the most common questions physicians ask about moving into concierge practice?

"The three biggest questions physicians ask us are: Can this work for me? How do I tell my patients? What happens to my workload? Underneath each one is a deeper question: am I being the best doctor I can be for my patients? We usually encourage them by saying it's no longer about being the best doctor, specialist, nurse, or practice administrator in the world anymore. It's about being the best for the world, for your patients, and for your local community."

Which career stages are most suitable?

"We've seen concierge medicine succeed at every career stage: early-career doctors building a foundation, which is usually the toughest path but has worked for some; mid-career physicians who want to reclaim balance and go deeper into specific conditions with their patients; and late-career doctors choosing to finish well, find a sustainable pace, and still dive deeper into healthcare's more complex questions with their patients. One concierge medicine physician told me years ago, 'I still work long hours and into the night. I just use my time differently now, and I'm a lot happier, and so are my patients, team, and family members.'"

What makes it different?

"What sets this space apart isn't the model, it's the mission: remove every unnecessary obstacle for the patient and build systems that make servanthood in healthcare repeatable. Excellence in healthcare isn't just clinical skill anymore; from the patient's perspective, it's about dignity, attention, timeliness, and clear communication.⁵ Those aren't extras, they're expectations. With smaller panels, 225 to 550 patients versus the 2,500 to 5,000 of traditional plan-reimbursed practices,⁶ healthcare in these practices feels more personal and less transactional. This isn't a fad. It's a structural change in how care could be, and should be, delivered."