Concierge Health Memberships: Hedging Your Healthcare Costs During High Inflation
In recent years, healthcare costs in the United States have been on the rise. According to a Health Affairs study, healthcare spending per person reached $11,172 in 2018, and is projected to increase by 5.4% per year until 2027. The inflationary effects of rising healthcare costs are particularly concerning for those who require long-term care, medications, and medical procedures. To mitigate these effects, some individuals are turning to concierge memberships as an alternative to traditional healthcare.
What is a Concierge Membership?
A concierge membership is a healthcare model where patients pay a fixed fee for personalized medical care. These memberships can range from primary care to specialty care and can include services such as telemedicine, same or next-day appointments, and extended appointment times with physicians. Patients who opt for a concierge membership receive more personalized care, often with shorter wait times, and greater access to their physicians.
How does inflation affect healthcare costs?
Inflation is a measure of the general increase of prices over time. When inflation rates rise, it erodes the purchasing power of money, making it difficult for people to afford the same goods and services they once could. Healthcare costs, like any other goods and services, are subject to inflation. Rising healthcare costs lead to increased expenses for long-term care, medications, and medical procedures, which can be financially devastating for many people.
The Benefits of Concierge Memberships
Concierge memberships offer several benefits that can help mitigate the inflationary effects of healthcare costs. Firstly, concierge memberships provide predictable, fixed-cost alternatives to traditional healthcare, eliminating cost surprises. Memberships also offer an alternative to high insurance premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses. Patients pay an annual or monthly fee, which covers most of their healthcare costs without additional charges.
Secondly, concierge memberships offer increased access to, and continuity of care. Members can enjoy shorter wait times, longer appointment times, and greater access to their physicians, leading to better health outcomes. Additionally, patients receive more personalized care, which can help prevent diseases, manage chronic conditions, and maintain overall wellness.
Real-Life Case Studies
Several real-life case studies demonstrate the benefits of concierge memberships. One example is Dr. Thomas LaGrelius, a physician at Skypark Preferred Family Care in California. Dr. LaGrelius offers personalized care to his patients for an annual fee, covering unlimited office visits, phone calls, and emails. Through this model, Dr. LaGrelius has been able to reduce his patient load to 600, compared to an average of 2,500 patients for primary care physicians in the United States. This allows him to spend more time with his patients, leading to better health outcomes.
Another example is The VIOS Clinic network, which offers concierge memberships to patients with chronic health conditions across the United States. The VIOS CLinic physicians provide personalized care to their patients, with longer appointment times, shorter wait times, and greater access to their physicians. According to a study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, concierge healthcare patients were less likely to require hospitalization and had lower healthcare costs compared to patients in traditional healthcare settings.
Conclusion
In conclusion, concierge memberships can help mitigate the inflationary effects of rising healthcare costs. These memberships can provide a predictable, fixed-cost alternative to traditional healthcare, eliminate cost surprises, increase access to, and continuity of care, and offer more personalized medical care. By investing in concierge memberships, individuals can take control of their healthcare costs, and receive the quality of care they deserve.
Are you looking to hedge your healthcare budget against rising inflation? Join our monthly or annual memberships so that your healthcare spending can be focused on a clear value to your long-term health needs. Click here to visit our homepage for more information.
