Concierge medicine has been around since the 1990s, but it's grown dramatically in the last decade — and with that growth has come a lot of confusion about what it actually is.
I offer a concierge program at ParikhHealth, so I'm biased. But I'm also a primary care doctor who believes most people don't need concierge medicine — and I'd rather you know that upfront than sell you something that doesn't fit your needs.
What Concierge Medicine Actually Is
At its core, concierge medicine (also called direct primary care or boutique medicine, depending on the model) is a membership-based relationship with your doctor. You pay a monthly or annual fee — typically ranging from $150 to $500+ per month depending on the practice — in exchange for a higher level of access and service.
What does "higher level of access" actually mean? At ParikhHealth, it means:
- Same-day or next-day appointments — guaranteed, not just "we'll try"
- Extended visit times — 45-60 minute appointments instead of 15 minutes
- Direct access to Dr. Parikh — phone, text, sometimes after hours
- Annual comprehensive physical with more extensive lab work
- Care coordination when you need specialists — I make calls on your behalf
- Unhurried medicine — the ability to actually discuss what's going on in your life
What concierge medicine is not: it's not a replacement for insurance. You still need health insurance for hospitalizations, specialist visits, imaging, and emergencies. The membership fee covers the relationship — not the clinical services themselves, which are still billed to your insurance.
Why Doctors Offer It
The honest answer: the current insurance-based primary care model is broken for physicians and patients alike.
The average primary care doctor sees 25-30 patients per day. A 15-minute slot includes intake, examination, notes, orders, and the emotional labor of actually caring about a human being. It's not sustainable, and the patient suffers — rushed visits, months-long waits for appointments, and a doctor who doesn't really know your history.
Concierge medicine allows a doctor to reduce their patient panel from 2,000-3,000 patients to 300-600. Fewer patients means more time per patient, which means better care.
Who Benefits from Concierge Medicine
You're a good candidate if:
- You're 50+ with multiple health concerns that require coordination
- You have a complex chronic condition (heart disease, diabetes, cancer history) that needs active management
- You travel frequently and need a doctor who can help remotely
- You've been frustrated by not being able to reach your doctor or get timely appointments
- You're a senior executive or busy professional who simply cannot afford to wait 3 weeks for a sick visit
- You want a physician who knows your name without looking at a chart
You probably don't need it if:
- You're young and healthy with minimal medical needs
- You primarily need sick visits and routine care — standard care works fine for this
- Cost is a significant concern — there are excellent non-concierge options
What It Costs vs. What You Get
At ParikhHealth, our concierge membership is priced to be accessible — not the $500+/month luxury tier you see at boutique practices in major cities. Call our office for current pricing.
The way I help patients think about it: if you're currently spending time and money on urgent care visits because you can't get in to see your doctor, paying for a concierge relationship often pays for itself in avoided urgent care bills, ER visits, and missed work.
Our Athlete Wellness Program
For athletes specifically, we offer the Athlete Wellness membership — a sports-medicine-focused concierge program with direct access to Dr. Parikh, same-day appointments for injuries, and an emphasis on prevention and performance rather than just disease management.
If you want to learn more about either program, call our office at 408-266-3100 or book a consultation. I'm happy to talk through whether concierge medicine makes sense for your specific situation.