Concierge Medicine

Concierge Medicine

Our providers are dedicated to providing comfort and relief from your immediate symptoms as part of a comprehensive care approach. We don’t stop at treating symptoms but focus on finding the underlying causes and restoring health and quality of life for our patients. We achieve this by making patient education and involvement a core aspect of our care plan. Healthcare and treatment work best when you, the patient, are actively involved in your care. Knowing you have a doctor who knows you can be a great relief. With our providers, you never need to worry about long wait times. We want to ensure that your healthcare is as worry-free as possible. Providing a dedicated doctor-patient relationship that focuses on compassionate holistic care begins with sincere listening. We anticipate welcoming you as a member of our practice and being your home for medical care for many years to come.

So, what exactly is concierge medicine?

Concierge medicine, sometimes called membership medicine, is an alternative to traditional primary care.

  • Patients pay a membership fee to be a part of the practice. This allows their doctor to see fewer patients, spend more time with each individual, and deliver a much better experience.
  • Most concierge practices guarantee 30-minute appointments (at least), same-day or next-day appointments, 24/7 access to care, and little to no waiting in the lobby.
  • At its heart, concierge medicine is about building a stronger personal relationship between you and your physician.

How does concierge medicine work?

The goal of a concierge medicine practice is to provide the best care and experience possible for every patient. Here’s how it works.

  • Patients are responsible for an out-of-pocket membership fee. This can be paid in various ways, but it is most
    commonly paid monthly, quarterly, or annually.
  • Concierge doctors dramatically reduce the number of patients they see — from 20+ per day to 6-10 per day.
  • This allows concierge doctors to guarantee certain aspects of the patient experience, including longer appointments, same-day or next scheduling, 24/7 access to care, and more.

For you, this means a better relationship with a physician who knows who you are, who has the time to answer all your questions, and who can deliver the personalized care you deserve.

What's the difference between traditional primary care and concierge medicine?

What is included in a concierge medicine membership?

What’s included in a concierge medicine membership varies from practice to practice.

At almost every concierge medicine practice, you should expect the following things to be included in your membership:

  • Longer appointments with your physician (at least 30 minutes)
  • Guaranteed same-day or next-day appointments for acute care.
  • Little to no waiting in the lobby before your appointment or in the exam room during your appointment.
  • Some form of 24/7/365 access to care (email, voicemail, texts, walk-in)
  • These are standard across almost every concierge medicine practice. Some practices include additional perks and services, such as:
  • Advanced annual physicals
  •  Coordination of specialist care
  •  Wellness programs
  •  Health Coaching
  •  2 House calls per year

How does insurance work with concierge medicine?

Most concierge medicine practices work with health insurance the same way a traditional practice would. Here are a few things to know about health insurance and concierge medicine.

  • Health insurance does not cover the membership fee.
  • Your health insurance is billed for medical care, including office visits, lab work, and tests.
  • You are responsible for co-pays/deductibles, but your health insurance covers the costs of approved services/procedures, just as it would if you were seeing a traditional PCP.
  •  Some concierge practices accept fewer carriers than traditional practices, and some may not accept Medicare or TRICARE.
  •  If you’re exploring a concierge medicine practice that does not accept insurance at all, it might be better described as direct primary care.

What are the pros and cons of concierge medicine?

What is the cost of concierge medicine?
$1800 annually ($150 per month) – per patient

Why do patients switch to concierge medicine?

  • High achievers like concierge medicine. If you want a proactive outlook from your physician, then you’re fitting in with many who choose concierge care.
  • An existing condition requires attentive care. If you have a condition that necessitates a doctor’s in-depth attention, then 7-minute medicine is likely driving you crazy, bankrupt, or both.
  • A medical scare makes health an instant priority. Plenty of people choose concierge care after a jarring experience that makes them re examine their decisions, including their healthcare.
  •  Tired of waiting for appointments or in a lobby. If you’re tired of waiting days or weeks to get an appointment and then waiting again in the lobby or
     he exam room, then concierge medicine is a fit for you.
  • Peace of mind for themselves or their loved ones (or both). You know you, or your loved ones, will get the care they need, when they need it, whether it’s the middle of the day or the middle of the night.

Why do doctors switch to concierge medicine?

Concierge medicine doesn’t provide a better experience for just patients. It provides a better experience for primary care physicians, too.

  • They want to practice medicine the way they envisioned coming out of medical school. One thing we hear about from traditional PCPs is their “fear of missing something.” They feel so rushed that they’re no longer confident they’re delivering the best care possible.
  • An existing condition requires attentive care. If you have a condition that necessitates a doctor’s in-depth attention, then 7-minute medicine is likely driving you crazy, bankrupt, or both.
  • They’re tired of running a traditional primary care business. At some point, doctors just want to be doctors. They want someone else to run the business so that they can focus on providing medical care.
  • They are burned out. Traditional primary care doctors see 20+ patients all day, every day. They spend time on their lunch break and “after hours” returning calls, catching up, and preparing for the next day.
  •  Concierge medicine allows physicians to slow down, spend more time with fewer patients, and be the kind of doctor they want to be for every patient.

Highly responsive, personalized care with 24/7 phone and email access.

Same-day appointments for urgent issues.

Integrative Medicine for those who desire a more progressive, natural approach to staying healthy.

As a valued patient, you will receive a complete annual physical with EKG as needed, plus a review of your family history and risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Our providers use this information to design a proactive healthcare plan that is tailored to meet your individual needs and goals.

Our providers are readily available to meet all your general healthcare needs – from treatment for colds, flu, and other illnesses to minor medical procedures and managing a patient's chronic disease. Plus, you will always have access to Dr. Bunch-selected specialists when needed.

Not unlike the country doctor of days gone by, our office is located in Ocean County near several Beachwood/Bayville/Toms River neighborhoods with all the resources of a modern medical facility with an unsurpassed level of warmth, comfort, and privacy. Our providers are also equipped to handle minor injuries, such as cuts and abrasions so that patients can often bypass emergency room visits.

To be very clear, for Concierge Medicine membership our providers do NOT bill commercial health insurance or Medicare for payment of office visit services – instead, we work directly for you. However, this has no impact on your ability to use your commercial PPO, Medicare, or Medicare Advantage PPO plan insurance for any medically related service or provider outside of our office. Specifically, all lab orders, imaging orders, medications, and referrals made by our providers to other physicians or service providers contracted with your insurance can still be covered, provided they accept your health insurance. All tests, services, and referrals ordered by our providers will be covered by insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare.