A study by Rothstein Kass found approximately 55 percent of single-family offices — companies that typically manage the finances of one wealthy family — used a concierge healthcare provider in 2011 compared with roughly 36 percent in 2009, according to the report. The study showed top reasons for choosing concierge care were managing severe medical conditions and gaining access to quality physicians and medical institutions, the report said.
Physicians who offer concierge care limit the number of patients they see, providing easy access to high-end services. Some concierge care patients have medical equipment — such as X-ray machines, CT scanners, ultrasounds and blood analysis technology — installed in homes, yachts or planes, which may cost up to $1 million for the equipment alone.
One concern, however, is that an increase in concierge care may exacerbate the primary care physician shortage. Ironically, one of the reasons for people choosing concierge care is this shortage, which is driving patients to seek easily accessible, high-quality care. However, as concierge care physicians limit their patients and healthcare reform adds more insured patients, available physicians for the population at large may be at a premium.
More Articles on Concierge Care:
Hybrid Concierge Medicine: A New Model for the Concierge Brand
More Physicians Pursue Concierge Model, Stop Accepting Insurance
5 Questions to Ask When Considering Concierge Medicine
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