DALLAS, TX (January 19, 2010)
Concierge, or direct practice medicine, was nearly unheard of a decade ago but the number has climbed to more than 5,000 practices, according to National Center for Policy Analysis Senior Fellow Devon Herrick.
In a new report, Concierge Medicine: Convenient and Affordable Care, Herrick explains the practices have changed dramatically to cater to differing patient needs. "For years, patient polls show we wanted more access to our doctors as the best way to get better quality care," he said. "Innovative practices now offer many different kinds of bundled prices and solutions – for those with or without insurance, for the middle-income or the wealthy patient."
Read full analysis here: http://www.ncpathinktank.org/pub/ba687
"Imagine phoning or emailing your doctor about a question or emergency anytime, day or night," said Herrick. "You could get information at 2:00 a.m. that could save a trip to the emergency room or doctor's office. Some concierge doctors even make house calls."
Many concierge physicians use electronic medical records, making it simple to transfer information to other doctors.
"This option isn't for everyone," said Herrick. "But it's obviously working well for a lot of consumers. The number of concierge practices is projected to jump to 17,000 but 2012."
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Editors Note: Contact Catherine Daniell to schedule an interview with Devon Herrick