Hospitals, medical groups, and healthcare organizations are facing perhaps their most uncertain future ever. What impact will the political situation have on how they are reimbursed for caring for their most vulnerable patients? How can organizations offset potential financial losses when their physicians are already stretched to the limit?
Now is the time to think differently. Cutting costs and demanding more from providers is yesterday’s news. Today’s administrators must identify new, predictable revenue sources that are insulated from a volatile market offering nothing but uncertainty.
Membership medicine, also known as concierge medicine, is that source, and it’s rapidly gaining traction among hospital networks and large healthcare organizations nationwide.
What makes it so vital?
- It’s a revenue stream you control. Administrators set the price, not unpredictable third-party payors who change the game every year.
- Patients are demanding it. Patients miss the personal connection they once had with their physicians and staff. They want to feel supported again — and market trends show they’re willing to invest in that relationship.
- Physicians need relief. Today’s doctors are experiencing burnout and need a reset. Membership medicine allows them to practice a more personalized, satisfying style of care while meeting productivity goals and generating revenue.
- Retention saves money. Happier physicians stay in practice longer. Administrators find that when doctors are rewarded both financially and professionally, turnover decreases significantly.
- Recruitment becomes easier. In a competitive market, offering membership medicine differentiates your organization and attracts top talent.
But how can membership medicine work within a vertically integrated healthcare system that relies on large patient panels and referral networks?
The answer lies in proper program design. Well-structured models give patients the option to join. They don’t dismiss patients or relocate members to new providers in boutique offices. Patients choose the level of support and service that suits them, while the traditional practice remains intact.
You might think this sounds too complicated. How can a physician manage both concierge and traditional patients? Why would patients pay for membership when they can remain in the same practice as a traditional patient? What benefits must you offer in order to justify a membership fee? These are common and valid questions that, when addressed properly, unlock a style of medicine that benefits everyone. Patients can receive the more personalized care they want, physicians rediscover satisfaction in medicine, and health systems gain a stable, lucrative new revenue stream.
As 2025 comes to a close, commit to one strategic initiative: explore membership medicine in the new year. The simplest way to start is with a pilot program. Begin with a small cohort of physicians — even just one — and expand as you see results. Partner with an experienced organization with a proven track record in this market. After all, you only get one chance to launch successfully. Work with experts who can assess your system, guide pricing, help select the right physicians, and ensure buy-in from leadership and board members.
As one of our clients shared at Beckers Hospital Review’s annual conference:
“So how has our program been going? I would say quite well. We started with a pilot group of physicians and have since expanded by over 50 percent. Our concierge panels have grown, we’ve attracted new patients seeking concierge care, and we’ve strengthened engagement with our foundation. Satisfaction scores remain very high for both our concierge and traditional patients.”
– Chad Wadell, MD, FACP, Site Director, Internal Medicine; Member, Board of Directors, Mission Heritage Medical Group & Mission Hospital Foundation, Mission Viejo, CA
For more information on how to design a pilot program or to learn more about membership medicine for healthcare systems, contact Concierge Choice Physicians at 877.888.5590, answers@ccpmd.com, or visit www.ccpmd.com/healthsystems.
