MDVIP

[2China2009]

So I receive a letter from my MD this week and he is leaving his current practice as Internal Medicine MD. Dec 1st he is opening a new practice as part of MDVIP. In a nutshell a patient pays him $1880/yr and he will set up a healthy living program. He no longer wants to deal with his big practice and the chronic conditions he sees everyday. So for him to make $150,000 off the top he needs 83 patients. His total number of patients in his practice is over 500. I have been one of his first 10 patients since he started. I can understand why he is doing this, but it sure is the way to weed out the poor and middle class rather quickly. He does have a lot of wealthy patients so I am sure it will be very successful. Now to find another MD. Would you pay the annual fee or go find another MD?

 

[sam_gordon]

So I receive a letter from my MD this week and he is leaving his current practice as Internal Medicine MD. Dec 1st he is opening a new practice as part of MDVIP. In a nutshell a patient pays him $1880/yr and he will set up a healthy living program. He no longer wants to deal with his big practice and the chronic conditions he sees everyday. So for him to make $150,000 off the top he needs 83 patients. His total number of patients in his practice is over 500. I have been one of his first 10 patients since he started. I can understand why he is doing this, but it sure is the way to weed out the poor and middle class rather quickly. He does have a lot of wealthy patients so I am sure it will be very successful. Now to find another MD. Would you pay the annual fee or go find another MD?

I doubt it, but I'd want to know what the $1880/year gets me. Direct phone calls if I have questions/concerns? Free check ups? What annual labs?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I might give it a try. I imagine he'll be trying out new methods that he's thought about, and will have more time to spend with patients, etc. If you like him and he knows you well, it might not be a bad thing. He will still see chronic conditions as well as acute problems, because even the healthiest among us get those from time to time.

 

[goodeats]

My first thought is that $1,880 isn't that much and I wonder what it includes. Mammograms? Bloodwork? Sick visits? If I could downgrade my overall health care insurance to catastrophic only or even a higher deductible than it might make sense.

This is a thing where my in-laws live. A lot of wealthy older people want personalized medical care.

 

[Southernmiss]

Concierge medicine is the term I've heard.

At this point in my life, it would depend on the doc and if I believed in their methods.

I've recently turned more to functional medicine doctors/chiropractors. If my current providers no longer practiced, I might consider it.

I have found that I am pretty good at knowing my body and what it needs and usually accurately self diagnose. I would definitely want a healthcare provider to listen to me and my thoughts about what's going on with me. I do think current health care in the US needs some upgrades and an overhaul

 

[Christine]

This is a common thing where I live. More and more doctors are doing it.

 

[kimblebee]

I’m glad I don’t have to make this choice, BUT, if I had to, I would pay to stay with all of my doctors. They all know my history, symptoms, treatments and that is important to me.

Good luck op

 

[Sabeking]

My BIL has been in a group like that for a few years and he loves it!