Doctors Patient membership plan

[MWH&PH]

Has anyone ever heard of this, the Dr.is on 466 in Ladylake

As a new patient I made an appointment with this doctor after filling out all the paperwork I was handed an envelope and told to read the patient membership plan. $500.00 per year to become his patient how absurd. After reading that and the sign on the wall stating he does not carry malpractice insurance it was time to leave. Nowhere in my research did I see anything about the above statements.

[YouNeverKnow]

Has anyone ever heard of this, the Dr.is on 466 in Ladylake

As a new patient I made an appointment with this doctor after filling out all the paperwork I was handed an envelope and told to read the patient membership plan. $500.00 per year to become his patient how absurd. After reading that and the sign on the wall stating he does not carry malpractice insurance it was time to leave. Nowhere in my research did I see anything about the above statements.
Which doctor is this?

[Dan9871]

Is sounds like Concierge Care. In theory by charging a membership fee the the doc does not need as many patients to run his business and can spend more time with each patient and provide extra services. $500 a year, though, seems like a low annual membership fee. Look it up "concierge care" in wikipedia Concierge medicine - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge_medicine) for more info. We have some friends back up north who use it and feel it gives them better access to medical services.

[Dan9871]

Which doctor is this?

Could be Medical Concierge Care – Your Choice for High Quality Comprehensive Health Care (http://www.mccvillages.com/) . Just a guess though.

[dbussone]

Is sounds like Concierge Care. In theory by charging a membership fee the the doc does not need as many patients to run his business and can spend more time with each patient and provide extra services. $500 a year, though, seems like a low annual membership fee. Look it up "concierge care" in wikipedia Concierge medicine - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge_medicine) for more info. We have some friends back up north who use it and feel it gives them better access to medical services.



I had an exceptional internist when we lived in Las Vegas. After several years he joined a concierge plan. It cost each of us $1500 per year and was worth every penny. As I said he was an exceptional doc. I'm comfortable selecting physicians


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[Mrs. Robinson]

The doctor is Dr. Martinez Cruz and I feel confident saying you will not find a better internist in the area.
He is an excellent diagnostician and takes the time to listen to you.
That $500 is money well spent!

[rubicon]

Has anyone ever heard of this, the Dr.is on 466 in Ladylake

As a new patient I made an appointment with this doctor after filling out all the paperwork I was handed an envelope and told to read the patient membership plan. $500.00 per year to become his patient how absurd. After reading that and the sign on the wall stating he does not carry malpractice insurance it was time to leave. Nowhere in my research did I see anything about the above statements.

Do you know if he bills insurance companies? some practices have taken to you pay me and I will give you a receipt and you go after your money from the insurance company.

[golfing eagles]

Sounds like the world's cheapest concierge practice

[Bay Kid]

I pay $1,800. per year for EACH of my parents for their doctor in VA. Worth every penny. They are seen when needed and never any waiting.

[jeriteri]

So, if I pay the Dr. upfront, that's all I pay him for the year? So I don't pay anymore if I visit him for check ups, blood work, xrays, a illness or injury?

[graciegirl]

The doctor is Dr. Martinez Cruz and I feel confident saying you will not find a better internist in the area.
He is an excellent diagnostician and takes the time to listen to you.
That $500 is money well spent!

It is important to me that an MD is board certified. Dr. Felix Agbo takes the time and is board certified. He isn't in a plan like this but he is conveniently located near Lake Sumter Landing. BUT...sometimes you wait a long time. His PA who we saw for the first time after several years of being his patient is excellent as well. She conducted the Medicare interview for wellness and pointed out a number of things that we have changed or integrated into our lives. I like him. He is smart and he is up to date and he is kind and wears awesome ties too. ;)

[vintageogauge]

So, if I pay the Dr. upfront, that's all I pay him for the year? So I don't pay anymore if I visit him for check ups, blood work, xrays, a illness or injury?

I doubt that very much. He will limit the number of patients that he accepts so you get personalized care, not just a number sitting in a waiting room. You or your insurance company will still pay as normal. I'm going to give him a try.

[billethkid]

So, if I pay the Dr. upfront, that's all I pay him for the year? So I don't pay anymore if I visit him for check ups, blood work, xrays, a illness or injury?

Ahhhhhh.....NO!
Think of it as paying dues to belong to a country club. You still have to pay to eat and drink there.

The so called membership fee is a way of filtering out the number of members. When there is sufficient demand to do so, it is beneficial to the provider and should be to the members......with emphasis on the should be!

[Dan9871]

So, if I pay the Dr. upfront, that's all I pay him for the year? So I don't pay anymore if I visit him for check ups, blood work, xrays, a illness or injury?

It's in addition to what you would pay without membership.

[Mrs. Robinson]

Do you know if he bills insurance companies? some practices have taken to you pay me and I will give you a receipt and you go after your money from the insurance company.

So, if I pay the Dr. upfront, that's all I pay him for the year? So I don't pay anymore if I visit him for check ups, blood work, xrays, a illness or injury?

He has always taken our medicare and supplemental insurance. I am assuming he will continue to do so.

No -- the $500 is kind of like a membership fee. However, if you have insurance, as I said in the above paragraph, with supplemental insurance, things should remain the same.

Call his office for exact information. (352-750-6650)

[YouNeverKnow]

He has always taken our medicare and supplemental insurance. I am assuming he will continue to do so.

No -- the $500 is kind of like a membership fee. However, if you have insurance, as I said in the above paragraph, with supplemental insurance, things should remain the same.

Call his office for exact information. (352-750-6650)
I cannot seem to find any sites that show him as being board certified. Does anyone know if he is or not?

[dbussone]

I cannot seem to find any sites that show him as being board certified. Does anyone know if he is or not?



According to the Florida Board of Medicine, Dr. Martinez-Cruz is NOT board certified.

BAYOAN DEJESUS MARTINEZ-CRUZ

License Number: ME94977


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[dbussone]

According to the Florida Board of Medicine, Dr. Martinez-Cruz is NOT board certified.

BAYOAN DEJESUS MARTINEZ-CRUZ

License Number: ME94977


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I'd be very wary of paying for a concierge practice when the physician is not board certified.


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[dbussone]

I'd be very wary of paying for a concierge practice when the physician is not board certified.


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I'd be interested in Golfing Eagles opinion if he reads this thread.


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[tippyclubb]

You are correct Dr. Cruz is not board certified. I asked him and he said " No. " He is a great family doctor and for now suits our needs. We received the letter of charging patients an annual membership fee. $750 a year per patient. That would equate to $1,500 for my husband and I. We read the benefits of membership and do not think it is worth the money. We will be looking for another doctor soon. I like Dr. Cruz very much but am confident I can find another doctor which I can like and not have to pay $1500 for nothing.

I am wondering why others are being charged $500 when our letter states $750? Odd.

[Wiotte]

You are correct Dr. Cruz is not board certified. I asked him and he said " No. " He is a great family doctor and for now suits our needs. We received the letter of charging patients an annual membership fee. $750 a year per patient. That would equate to $1,500 for my husband and I. We read the benefits of membership and do not think it is worth the money. We will be looking for another doctor soon. I like Dr. Cruz very much but am confident I can find another doctor which I can like and not have to pay $1500 for nothing.



Common sense decision. I would have taken 2 seconds to make the same after reading his letter and then folding it up into a little airplane vectored into my trash bin.


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[golfing eagles]

I'd be interested in Golfing Eagles opinion if he reads this thread.


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Well, here's an interesting topic in the new health care reality that I haven't seen much of on TOTV.

My personal opinion is that concierge practices are the unintended consequence of unbridled government and insurance regulation. Currently, it costs each primary care doctor about 55K/year to deal with Medicare, Medicaid, and insurances. We had 7 doctors and 6 NPs, so do the math. Yes, there was some economy of scale, but it still ran many hundreds of thousands of dollars/year to comply with all their garbage---and that's just what it is---GARBAGE. I'm sure someone will post how we need government regulation, and how doctors are ripping off patients and misdiagnosing them and blah, blah, blah----But at the end of the day, if it looks like garbage and smells like garbage, guess what?---it's garbage.

Concierge practices were started by solo practitioners, usually one of the best in the town, who had it up to their eyeballs with the garbage. They opted out of Medicare and Medicaid, stopped submitting bills to insurance, and charged essentially cash for the privilege of staying in his/her practice and then cash for any services rendered. I think the first was in West Palm beach and charged $5,000/year and limited his practice to 200 patients. Do the math again, that's 1 million before lifting a finger, all cash. but there's a catch---it's the type of patient he attracted---rich lonely hypochondriacs who would call just for companionship. I think he committed himself to the asylum after 2 years:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

You have no idea about the type of call you get at 2 AM when you are "on call". Medicaid patients who want a prescription of brand name Tylenol, not generic. A woman complaining about a 2 week old bee sting because people could see a red mark on her thigh (right about final call hour). People who didn't even know why they called, but tried to talk for hours. And these were the ones who paid nothing, imagine what you get from someone who laid down 5 grand???

Now, we have doctors hiring other doctors for big concierge practices, corporations getting into the game. This is akin to what happened in the UK after socialized medicine----doctors opting out of the system and taking cash only. The problem is that eventually no provider is accepting insurance and access to care becomes limited.

Sorry to be a downer, but this is the future our government has been working to bring us---single payer gov't healthcare once enough people have been forced away from their doctor and cannot pay for the concierge practice.

[dbussone]

Well, here's an interesting topic in the new health care reality that I haven't seen much of on TOTV.



My personal opinion is that concierge practices are the unintended consequence of unbridled government and insurance regulation. Currently, it costs each primary care doctor about 55K/year to deal with Medicare, Medicaid, and insurances. We had 7 doctors and 6 NPs, so do the math. Yes, there was some economy of scale, but it still ran many hundreds of thousands of dollars/year to comply with all their garbage---and that's just what it is---GARBAGE. I'm sure someone will post how we need government regulation, and how doctors are ripping off patients and misdiagnosing them and blah, blah, blah----But at the end of the day, if it looks like garbage and smells like garbage, guess what?---it's garbage.



Concierge practices were started by solo practitioners, usually one of the best in the town, who had it up to their eyeballs with the garbage. They opted out of Medicare and Medicaid, stopped submitting bills to insurance, and charged essentially cash for the privilege of staying in his/her practice and then cash for any services rendered. I think the first was in West Palm beach and charged $5,000/year and limited his practice to 200 patients. Do the math again, that's 1 million before lifting a finger, all cash. but there's a catch---it's the type of patient he attracted---rich lonely hypochondriacs who would call just for companionship. I think he committed himself to the asylum after 2 years:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:



You have no idea about the type of call you get at 2 AM when you are "on call". Medicaid patients who want a prescription of brand name Tylenol, not generic. A woman complaining about a 2 week old bee sting because people could see a red mark on her thigh (right about final call hour). People who didn't even know why they called, but tried to talk for hours. And these were the ones who paid nothing, imagine what you get from someone who laid down 5 grand???



Now, we have doctors hiring other doctors for big concierge practices, corporations getting into the game. This is akin to what happened in the UK after socialized medicine----doctors opting out of the system and taking cash only. The problem is that eventually no provider is accepting insurance and access to care becomes limited.



Sorry to be a downer, but this is the future our government has been working to bring us---single payer gov't healthcare once enough people have been forced away from their doctor and cannot pay for the concierge practice.



Thanks for your response, GE. One result I saw personally:

A physician friend of mine (solo internist) went the concierge route. One of the major insurers he was dependent upon cut him off about a year later. They refused to reimburse him for any of the patients they insured.


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[CFrance]

Thanks for your response, GE. One result I saw personally:

A physician friend of mine (solo internist) went the concierge route. One of the major insurers he was dependent upon cut him off about a year later. They refused to reimburse him for any of the patients they insured.


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Why?

[Mrs. Robinson]

It is important to me that an MD is board certified. Dr. Felix Agbo takes the time and is board certified. He isn't in a plan like this but he is conveniently located near Lake Sumter Landing. BUT...sometimes you wait a long time. His PA who we saw for the first time after several years of being his patient is excellent as well. She conducted the Medicare interview for wellness and pointed out a number of things that we have changed or integrated into our lives. I like him. He is smart and he is up to date and he is kind and wears awesome ties too. ;)

I'd be very wary of paying for a concierge practice when the physician is not board certified.


I truly don't believe that most people, including the above, understand what "board certification" means. I know for a fact that there are over 20 different "boards" that can "certify" physicians. If that doesn't bother you, it should.

Also, to be board certified, you obviously (already) have to be a physician. You then take a test -- written test. It's only a written test that makes someone board certified! That's it. Then, you are only certified in a single specialty, according to the test taken. If you don't realize that this has nothing to do with someone's ability to be a good physician, you should!

Sorry, but a written test has nothing to do with a doctor's ability to be a good physician. Because an attorney passes the bar, does that make him a good lawyer? No! Because a dentist becomes licensed, does that make him a good dentist? No! Because someone passes the test to be a licensed financial planner, does that make that person good at what he does? No!
No one should be under the misapprehension that if a physician is "board certified," he is a good doctor. Yes -- he could be a good doctor, however, being board certified goes not guarantee that a doctor is good. Period! Anyone who believes board certification is a barometer for excellent care is kidding themselves.

I've never met a doctor who wasn't smart. Smart still doesn't make him/her a good doctor. I've not known a doctor who was still in the dark ages and not up-to-date on medical things. I have never met or been to a mean doctor and I don't really care what kind of tie he wears or if, in fact, he wears a tie at all.

[graciegirl]

I like doctors who stay on the right side of the law and those who are not arrested for anything, even things not related to medicine, such as paying child support.

I wonder about those who frequently shift locations.

I like Doctors offices that are squeaky clean and furnishings that look like the owner is financially successful. I am interested that a doctor stays current and is aware of not frequently seen conditions and syndromes, and I don't really care if I agree with his/her politics, personality or whether they act warm and friendly, the bottom line is their medical knowledge and medical ethics and their emotional and financial stability makes points with me too.

Everyone can choose a doctor based on their own criteria. Choosing the right doctor can definitely make a difference in how long you live and how well you live, but that goes without saying.

And a nice tie makes me smile.

[CFrance]

I don't like it when people make passive-aggressive insinuations that could damage someone's reputation without supplying facts. Show me the facts. Name the doctor you're referring to.

The Dr. Martinez Cruz I go to has a clean, well-furnished office, a great staff, and the medical knowledge to early diagnose a strange condition in one of my relatives that saved him from extensive organ damage. He has worked at Mass General and seen everything that's come down the pike.

You just talked me into paying the $500/year to stay with him.

[dbussone]

I truly don't believe that most people, including the above, understand what "board certification" means. I know for a fact that there are over 20 different "boards" that can "certify" physicians. If that doesn't bother you, it should.



Also, to be board certified, you obviously (already) have to be a physician. You then take a test -- written test. It's only a written test that makes someone board certified! That's it. Then, you are only certified in a single specialty, according to the test taken. If you don't realize that this has nothing to do with someone's ability to be a good physician, you should!



Sorry, but a written test has nothing to do with a doctor's ability to be a good physician. Because an attorney passes the bar, does that make him a good lawyer? No! Because a dentist becomes licensed, does that make him a good dentist? No! Because someone passes the test to be a licensed financial planner, does that make that person good at what he does? No!

No one should be under the misapprehension that if a physician is "board certified," he is a good doctor. Yes -- he could be a good doctor, however, being board certified goes not guarantee that a doctor is good. Period! Anyone who believes board certification is a barometer for excellent care is kidding themselves.



I've never met a doctor who wasn't smart. Smart still doesn't make him/her a good doctor. I've not known a doctor who was still in the dark ages and not up-to-date on medical things. I have never met or been to a mean doctor and I don't really care what kind of tie he wears or if, in fact, he wears a tie at all.



You have no knowledge about what I know or don't know. And I do know about board certification. Your understanding, however, is deficient.

Without going into the intricacies of the certification processes, I'll just say I would generally prefer a board certified physician/surgeon over one who is not. Having passed a certification exam provides one with with a certain level of understanding of the physicians knowledge base. This is, IMO, more true of the traditional boards than of some of the newer "vanity" boards.




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[dbussone]

Why?



The insurer's rationale was that their contact with the physician did not permit him to charge a fee that was not covered by their contract. And this particular insurer (a subsidiary of United Healthcare) accounted for almost 50% of the practice's patients.


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[PJackpot]

Very interesting read on this entire thread. I had no idea this kind of service existed.

[PJackpot]

I agree with Golfing Eagles. The very thing proponents of government run health care complain about, is the very thing they have created.

[OhioBuckeye]

Is sounds like Concierge Care. In theory by charging a membership fee the the doc does not need as many patients to run his business and can spend more time with each patient and provide extra services. $500 a year, though, seems like a low annual membership fee. Look it up "concierge care" in wikipedia Concierge medicine - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge_medicine) for more info. We have some friends back up north who use it and feel it gives them better access to medical services.

WOW Dan! Personally I've never heard of getting a membership to see a Dr. Drs. are expensive enough just to see them for 5 mins. Myself I wouldn't pay $500. up front to see any Dr. I went to one of the top Heart Hospitals in the country, Plano, TX. His office visits are less than $200. I could drive or fly there for less than $300. & get the best heart care in the U.S. As far as I'm concerned I'm seeing who I think is one of the best heart Drs. in TV, Dr. Garcia. No, membership! Dan, I know you're only talking about a friend but paying a membership to me is a ripoff, there's to many good Drs. to see without having to pay someone for their services. But thank you for your input!

[golfing eagles]

I truly don't believe that most people, including the above, understand what "board certification" means. I know for a fact that there are over 20 different "boards" that can "certify" physicians. If that doesn't bother you, it should.

Also, to be board certified, you obviously (already) have to be a physician. You then take a test -- written test. It's only a written test that makes someone board certified! That's it. Then, you are only certified in a single specialty, according to the test taken. If you don't realize that this has nothing to do with someone's ability to be a good physician, you should!

Sorry, but a written test has nothing to do with a doctor's ability to be a good physician. Because an attorney passes the bar, does that make him a good lawyer? No! Because a dentist becomes licensed, does that make him a good dentist? No! Because someone passes the test to be a licensed financial planner, does that make that person good at what he does? No!
No one should be under the misapprehension that if a physician is "board certified," he is a good doctor. Yes -- he could be a good doctor, however, being board certified goes not guarantee that a doctor is good. Period! Anyone who believes board certification is a barometer for excellent care is kidding themselves.

I've never met a doctor who wasn't smart. Smart still doesn't make him/her a good doctor. I've not known a doctor who was still in the dark ages and not up-to-date on medical things. I have never met or been to a mean doctor and I don't really care what kind of tie he wears or if, in fact, he wears a tie at all.

You have no knowledge about what I know or don't know. And I do know about board certification. Your understanding, however, is deficient.

Without going into the intricacies of the certification processes, I'll just say I would generally prefer a board certified physician/surgeon over one who is not. Having passed a certification exam provides one with with a certain level of understanding of the physicians knowledge base. This is, IMO, more true of the traditional boards than of some of the newer "vanity" boards.




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Right on the mark, as usual, DB. Clearly, some posters need to sit for a board exam to have even the slightest idea of what they are talking about. Yes, there are many boards that certify various specialties, but what does board certification in plastic surgery have to do with obstetrics? Would you want a plastic surgeon who passed the requirements for board certification via a teat written by and judged by obstetricians??? And besides the written test, you have to meet a whole list of qualifications before you can even take the test.

The true statement is that board certification does not guarantee a good physician. You cannot test judgement, or communication, or empathy. But every good physician needs a sound basis in the SCIENCE of medicine before they can excel at the ART of medicine. That's what board certification ensures

[Dan9871]

in TV, Dr. Garcia. No, membership!

Dr. Garcia is a specialist. Concierge Care is mostly, maybe exclusively, used by primary care physicians. My guess is, total speculation on my part actually, if primary care physicians could get the hourly rates that specialists do they would not be setting up Concierge Care based businesses.

[golfing eagles]

Dr. Garcia is a specialist. Concierge Care is mostly, maybe exclusively, used by primary care physicians. My guess is, total speculation on my part actually, if primary care physicians could get the hourly rates that specialists do they would not be setting up Concierge Care based businesses.

Actually, that's an apples and oranges comparison. Most specialists are procedurally based, while primary care is volume based. The main driving factor for concierge care is regulation and overhead. If we had converted our practice to concierge care with no participation in any insurance, our 3.6 million/year overhead would have dropped to under 750K. But the economy of the area would never have supported concierge care. Besides, I really don't like the concept---it wreaks of money grubbing rather than quality care.

[barbgaines47]

Dr. M-C has been my doctor for almost 15 years. He is wonderful and very up-to-date on medical issues. This is called Concierge Care.

[golfing eagles]

Dr. M-C has been my doctor for almost 15 years. He is wonderful and very up-to-date on medical issues. This is called Concierge Care.

No, that is called being a good doctor. Concierge care is a business model, not a physician.

[dbussone]

Dr. Garcia is a specialist. Concierge Care is mostly, maybe exclusively, used by primary care physicians. My guess is, total speculation on my part actually, if primary care physicians could get the hourly rates that specialists do they would not be setting up Concierge Care based businesses.



Dr. Martinez-Cruz is not a specialist - at least none are listed on his license, or on his profile with the FL Board of Medicine. If he was considered a specialist his profile would say so. My assumption therefore is that he may limit his practice to certain areas.

Note he also does not carry malpractice insurance. This practice is acceptable in FL if the physician meets certain financial requirements proscribed by state law.

He also does not have any hospital privileges, and does not accept Medicaid.

All of this type of information to the public for each physician licensed to practice in FL.


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[MDLNB]

My wife goes to Dr. Cruise and really likes him. I know for a fact that he saved one of our friends, by diagnosing a heart attack early and immediately had him admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Yes, he offered us that special service. I did not know anything about it so we declined. He still provides us service and takes our insurance. He also reads and replies to emails.

Dr.Cruise is also reported to have been a teaching physician up North at one of our finest educational institutions.

I do not care if any of you wish to accept his service. I am merely providing my opinion based on my experience.

My understanding of this new service he has started is that by being a member gives you priority service. So far, without it we still seem to get quality service and have not had to wait for an appointment.

Suit yourself. I will say that getting an appointment from Dr.Cruise is sure a lot easier than getting one at the VA.

[CFrance]

My wife goes to Dr. Cruise and really likes him. I know for a fact that he saved one of our friends, by diagnosing a heart attack early and immediately had him admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Yes, he offered us that special service. I did not know anything about it so we declined. He still provides us service and takes our insurance. He also reads and replies to emails.

Dr.Cruise is also reported to have been a teaching physician up North at one of our finest educational institutions.

I do not care if any of you wish to accept his service. I am merely providing my opinion based on my experience.

My understanding of this new service he has started is that by being a member gives you priority service. So far, without it we still seem to get quality service and have not had to wait for an appointment.

Suit yourself. I will say that getting an appointment from Dr.Cruise is sure a lot easier than getting one at the VA.
MDLNB, his concierge membership program begins in September. I wonder what he will do with non members after that time.

Since we are only here six months of the year, he offered us the option of, instead of the $500/patient yearly membership, paying $150 apiece for each visit and then billing Medicare ourselves. We would receive roughly $86 dollars apiece back from Medicare. His theory is that we would not be seeing him quarterly.

I really like his level of knowledge and quality of patient care. I'm thinking about trying this for now and seeing how it goes. My husband is less inclined to try this.

BTW, he's not the only doctor in these parts that has gone to concierge.

[dbussone]

Dr. Martinez-Cruz is not a specialist - at least none are listed on his license, or on his profile with the FL Board of Medicine. If he was considered a specialist his profile would say so. My assumption therefore is that he may limit his practice to certain areas.

Note he also does not carry malpractice insurance. This practice is acceptable in FL if the physician meets certain financial requirements proscribed by state law.

He also does not have any hospital privileges, and does not accept Medicaid.

All of this type of information is available to the public for each physician licensed to practice in FL.


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[MDLNB]

MDLNB, his concierge membership program begins in September. I wonder what he will do with non members after that time.

Since we are only here six months of the year, he offered us the option of, instead of the $500/patient yearly membership, paying $150 apiece for each visit and then billing Medicare ourselves. We would receive roughly $86 dollars apiece back from Medicare. His theory is that we would not be seeing him quarterly.

I really like his level of knowledge and quality of patient care. I'm thinking about trying this for now and seeing how it goes. My husband is less inclined to try this.

BTW, he's not the only doctor in these parts that has gone to concierge.

Well, I can't predict the future, but he did tell us that he would continue treating our family, just as he is now. If that means something changes, it will only mean finding someone else, if that is how we feel at the time. I'm not concerned. The service is probably a good idea, I don't know. I do not know enough about it to pass judgement on the program. I do know that for the past five years, he has been a fine doctor in regards to our family service.

[manaboutown]

My physician charges $750/couple per year for a higher level of service. It is optional and he treat all patients, regardless. However this adds a few features above the norm. He has had a closed practice for many years and is regarded as one of the best physicians in my area. I am more than happy to pay!!

[hubheadrmh]

Has anyone ever heard of this, the Dr.is on 466 in Ladylake

As a new patient I made an appointment with this doctor after filling out all the paperwork I was handed an envelope and told to read the patient membership plan. $500.00 per year to become his patient how absurd. After reading that and the sign on the wall stating he does not carry malpractice insurance it was time to leave. Nowhere in my research did I see anything about the above statements.
Maybe he is the concierge doctor Which means he has about 10% of the patients that a non-concierge doctor has for much better service

[Jeff Hirsch]

We had a concierge practice in Delaware and loved it. The fee generally provides you access. You can get in quickly and the doctor spends more time with you. Services were changed to insurance so we had no other out of pocket expense.

[OhioBuckeye]

Dr. Garcia is a specialist. Concierge Care is mostly, maybe exclusively, used by primary care physicians. My guess is, total speculation on my part actually, if primary care physicians could get the hourly rates that specialists do they would not be setting up Concierge Care based businesses.

Yes, Dan he's a Interventional Cardiologist, with 37 yrs. experience but my point was about paying a Dr. $500. for a membership like you're joining a club is a little crazy especially when there's hundreds of other good Drs. in TV. Also I bet these membership Drs. aren't charging less for their office calls & their procedures. Also like I said in my comment, if I have to get anything done & not taking anything from my Concierge Care Dr. I still would go to Plano, TX Heart Center. If you've never seen this heart hospital, you could sit TV hospital & Leesburg hospital inside of this Heart Hospital. Thanks you for your comment DAN9871.

[NotGolfer]

I'd have to go with what Golfing Eagles and Dbussone both say as they've been in the medical business...many of us have not. That said...I once saw a doctor here in T.V. (about 6 yrs ago or so) who said that the gov't was really putting a bind on the medical providers with all their "rules and regulations" which interferred with actually treating people. The paperwork was beyond what he felt was needed!

I can concur with dbussone re: a dr's credentials. I have an autoimmune issue that warrants me seeing a specialist for it. There are physicians here in T.V. that say they will see folks with my issues. I've seen a couple of them and they certainly didn't know what they were talking about nor did they help me with my disease. They aren't board certified nor have had the training for my disease. I had to do self-advocacy to find the provider I have now for it and he's a keeper (so far). IF he stops seeing patients with Medicare I will be up a creek without a paddle for sure. Our household can't afford a concierge type of treatment nor do I think I'd want it. JMHO

[graciegirl]

Yes, Dan he's a Interventional Cardiologist, with 37 yrs. experience but my point was about paying a Dr. $500. for a membership like you're joining a club is a little crazy especially when there's hundreds of other good Drs. in TV. Also I bet these membership Drs. aren't charging less for their office calls & their procedures. Also like I said in my comment, if I have to get anything done & not taking anything from my Concierge Care Dr. I still would go to Plano, TX Heart Center. If you've never seen this heart hospital, you could sit TV hospital & Leesburg hospital inside of this Heart Hospital. Thanks you for your comment DAN9871.



If I were to leave this area for Cardiac expertise, I would go to the number one Cardiac hospital in the U.S.; The Cleveland Clinic.

Cleveland Clinic Ranks No. 1 in the Nation for Heart Care for 21 Consecutive Years – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/07/cleveland-clinic-ranks-no-1-in-the-nation-for-heart-care-for-21-consecutive-years/)

Plano is part of Baylor. EXCELLENT TOO. The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (https://www.thehearthospitalbaylor.com/Pages/default.aspx)

[Annie01]

yes...boston and maimi also do it..my doc is fantastic and does the $500....BUT i can e mail him any time and he gets back to me...will send in for a prescription for me without going in...even on vacation he will get back to me...DOES YOUR DOC do that???? NO... the dr. next dor to him charges $1000.00 and YOU do the insurance papers yourself..(not e mail guy) my doc is the best and worth every penny...most of the dr will be doing this THANKS to YOUR obamacare..where the insurance guys are NOT paying the doc..hasseling them etc... BLAME THE INSURANCE people NOT the doc....they won.t even pay for some normal visits..... the doc s have to do this...or they close up....my doc will take me ANYTIME for whatever reason....love the guy....DR CRUZ he has helped me thru a lot.....

[Mrs. Robinson]

Right on the mark, as usual, DB. Clearly, some posters need to sit for a board exam to have even the slightest idea of what they are talking about. Yes, there are many boards that certify various specialties, but what does board certification in plastic surgery have to do with obstetrics? Would you want a plastic surgeon who passed the requirements for board certification via a teat written by and judged by obstetricians??? And besides the written test, you have to meet a whole list of qualifications before you can even take the test.

The true statement is that board certification does not guarantee a good physician. You cannot test judgement, or communication, or empathy. But every good physician needs a sound basis in the SCIENCE of medicine before they can excel at the ART of medicine. That's what board certification ensures

Okay -- let me ask you this: How does a written test ensure a plastic surgeon isn't going to botch up a face life or a nose job? Yeah -- exactly! Pardon me while I laugh, but does his test make him good??!?

Other than a doctor graduating from medical school and completing his residency, please give an example of a "whole list of qualifications" he must have before taking the test to be board certified.

Medicine is not an art; it is a practice.
Board certification does not ensure that a physician excels in a given medical field.
There are some pretty lousy doctors out there who are board certified, and yes -- some are good. It's a craps shoot.

Anyone who believes the only good doctors out there have to be board certified is sadly misinformed.

[Mrs. Robinson]

You have no knowledge about what I know or don't know. And I do know about board certification. Your understanding, however, is deficient.

Without going into the intricacies of the certification processes, I'll just say I would generally prefer a board certified physician/surgeon over one who is not. Having passed a certification exam provides one with with a certain level of understanding of the physicians knowledge base. This is, IMO, more true of the traditional boards than of some of the newer "vanity" boards.

You are saying that you know about board certification without saying anything, and at the same time you are telling me that my understanding is "deficient."
To continue, please tell me about your knowledge and tell me why my understanding is deficient. Since you said it, you should elaborate.

If a physician has gone through medical school and completed his residency (in a specific field), he already has an "understanding of the physicians' knowledge base."
Do you really think a test is going to make him better or smarter???
Think about that. Think hard.

[dbussone]

You are saying that you know about board certification without saying anything, and at the same time you are telling me that my understanding is "deficient."

To continue, please tell me about your knowledge and tell me why my understanding is deficient. Since you said it, you should elaborate.



If a physician has gone through medical school and completed his residency (in a specific field), he already has an "understanding of the physicians' knowledge base."

Do you really think a test is going to make him better or smarter???

Think about that. Think hard.



Dear Mrs Robinson - it's really quite simple - your diatribe showed your complete lack of knowledge of the certification process. It's not the oversimplified written exam process you describe.

As to how I know, I ran hospitals for more than 40 years and know the process extremely well. I'd also note that I have several physician friends who are executives in a couple of the boards.

If you need more elaboration, that just underscores how little understanding you have of the boards. My elaboration won't help any.

You might also want to research physician fellowships.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[golfing eagles]

Okay -- let me ask you this: How does a written test ensure a plastic surgeon isn't going to botch up a face life or a nose job? Yeah -- exactly! Pardon me while I laugh, but does his test make him good??!?

Other than a doctor graduating from medical school and completing his residency, please give an example of a "whole list of qualifications" he must have before taking the test to be board certified.

Medicine is not an art; it is a practice.
Board certification does not ensure that a physician excels in a given medical field.
There are some pretty lousy doctors out there who are board certified, and yes -- some are good. It's a craps shoot.

Anyone who believes the only good doctors out there have to be board certified is sadly misinformed.

Oh, great---now I have to write a novel
I'll give you this: I should have added surgical skill to judgement, communication and compassion as items not tested in a board exam. Again, as I've already stated, board certification does not guarantee a good physician, but it sets a certain minimum standard of knowledge which is essential to becoming a good physician. Unfortunately, the bar keeps getting set lower and lower.

To sit for the board exam in Internal Medicine, first you have to be accepted into a medical school, then complete the requirements for graduation. You have to complete an accredited residency program, as well as pass parts 1,2, and 3 of the NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners), which is also the test requirement in 49/50 states for a license. You need a recommendation from your program director as to performance and character. Subspecialty boards also require the completion of an accredited fellowship program in that specialty. I believe surgical boards also require your procedure journal---a list of all surgeries that you performed or assisted at, and there are numerical requirements. One reason that foreign physicians tend to not be board certified is that they may have not completed an ACCREDITED residency. Does that answer you question?

As far as minimum standards go, I'm afraid they are declining. The year I applied to medical school, there were 126,000 individuals who graduated from AMERICAN universities competing for 17,000 seats. You would think that only the top candidates would be granted admission. WRONG, very wrong. I think the only institutions that are looking purely at merit are professional sports teams and Wall Street law firms. In 1980, I sat as a student representative on the admission committee at my medical school. There were over 11,000 applications for 224 seats, so again, you would think they would just pick the best of the best. WRONG. Even 37 years ago, one of the top priorities was to achieve "diversity" in the student body. As a result, frankly they admitted students who were lucky to graduate college. And so it starts. Then, to keep some of these less qualified students, they had the "6 year program"---they would repeat their first year, then get passed, repeat the second year, then get passed. By the time they hit the 3rd and 4th year, which is somewhat more subjective in grading and based on the opinion of supervising residents and attendings, no one had the guts to fail them. Now they had a MD degree! Sadly , it was no different at Harvard and Yale. The NBME is an easy exam, so now they could get a license. Beware! To make it worse, last year they changed the nature of the MCATs (Medical School Admission test). Believe it or not, they have de-emphasized knowledge of science and math, and instead are emphasizing "cultural awareness" What a joke. I want MY doctor to be aware of how the human body works, what goes wrong, and how to fix it. I couldn't care less about "cultural awareness", which is really nothing more than a way to justify certain student admissions.

By the way, have you ever sat on a medical school admission committee? Think hard. Also, if you don't believe that there is an art to medicine, think even harder.

Now, the Board exams are a much tougher test. Only about 65% of the candidates pass the test, so it ensures a much higher MINIMUM standard---no, not a great physician, but a high standard of minimal medical knowledge

You are saying that you know about board certification without saying anything, and at the same time you are telling me that my understanding is "deficient."
To continue, please tell me about your knowledge and tell me why my understanding is deficient. Since you said it, you should elaborate.

If a physician has gone through medical school and completed his residency (in a specific field), he already has an "understanding of the physicians' knowledge base."
Do you really think a test is going to make him better or smarter???
Think about that. Think hard.

Actually, DB is right and you are the one that should think hard. He was a hospital administrator and also worked with insurances, which means he had to vet physicians. I wouldn't have said your knowledge was "deficient", I think "incomplete" would have been a better term (or at least more polite)

Do you really think all physicians that complete a residency are created equal??? As chief of staff at our local hospital, I was one of the people who interviewed doctors who wanted staff privileges. BTW, have you ever had to interview physicians for a staff position? Don't bother, I already know the answer.

There was one OB-GYN that I interviewed that plopped an 80 page document on my desk at the interview. I asked what it was, and he replied "it's my business plan" OOPS, very wrong answer for me. I don't know how much time and effort he put into it, but it clearly showed me that his priority was not patient care, but dollars. He was accepted onto the staff despite my objections. One year later he was back at my desk as I fulfilled my legal obligation to revoke his surgical privileges. In the space of 8 months, he had transected 3 ureters during LAVH(Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy). The average for a GYN performing this procedure is 0.3 ureters transected in a 30 year career, and he had 10x as many in 8 months. So, I still agree, that board certification does not guarantee surgical skill.
So, no, a "test" did not make him better. But don't confuse a MINIMUM standard with achieving excellence either, but it isn't a bad starting point

[golfing eagles]

Dear Mrs Robinson - it's really quite simple - your diatribe showed your complete lack of knowledge of the certification process. It's not the oversimplified written exam process you describe.

As to how I know, I ran hospitals for more than 40 years and know the process extremely well. I'd also note that I have several physician friends who are executives in a couple of the boards.

If you need more elaboration, that just underscores how little understanding you have of the boards. My elaboration won't help any.

You might also want to research physician fellowships.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

DB---I don't really think she is a lost cause. She seems reasonably intelligent just mis- or under- informed. Hopefully the above post helps

[dbussone]

DB---I don't really think she is a lost cause. She seems reasonably intelligent just mis- or under- informed. Hopefully the above post helps



Oh alright. No reason to start off the week on the wrong foot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[golfing eagles]

Oh alright. No reason to start off the week on the wrong foot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Isn't today Wednesday????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[graciegirl]

Isn't today Wednesday????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:



Glad you and DB are here to keep things straight. I appreciate and enjoy your information, both of you.

[CFrance]

Isn't today Wednesday????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
It's even Thursday in Sydney...

[DigitalGranny]

We had one of those doctors in Ohio. They are screened to be among the best by the firm called MDVIP out of Boca Raton. The closest one to The Villages is 50 miles away. I miss the personalized care and excellent coordination with our specialists. The fee you pay is for your executive type physical exam and health screenings each year. You get your doctor's cell phone number. He takes your calls and knows you!. Worth every cent!. They take Medicare and private insurance.

[golfing eagles]

Glad you and DB are here to keep things straight. I appreciate and enjoy your information, both of you.

TY, GG. I think DB and I agree that it sometimes feels like an uphill battle to disseminate factual information to those with preconceived notions.

[dbussone]

Isn't today Wednesday????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:



That's when my week starts! What day does your week start on? When I retired someone told me all the days were the same here. And the only way you can tell Sunday is that the paper is thicker.

[emoji41]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[dbussone]

TY, GG. I think DB and I agree that it sometimes feels like an uphill battle to disseminate factual information to those with preconceived notions.



There aren't many hills in FL, but this one has a long upward slope.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[dbussone]

It's even Thursday in Sydney...



That's my Tuesday! [emoji48]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[golfing eagles]

There aren't many hills in FL, but this one has a long upward slope.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Actually, I feel like Sisyphus at times:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[Dan9871]

Wasn't Sisyphus the original rock 'n roller? Or was that rollin' rocker? :D

[dbussone]

Actually, I feel like Sisyphus at times:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:



Kind of like a dung beetle?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[graciegirl]

I like Dr. Agbo. He is board certified. And he is smart and kind too.

[CFrance]

Wasn't Sisyphus the original rock 'n roller? Or was that rollin' rocker? :D
Sisyphus was noted for being self-aggrandizing!

[golfing eagles]

Sisyphus was noted for being self-aggrandizing!

ouch! bad analogy on my part:bowdown::bowdown::bowdown:

[Mrs. Robinson]

Oh, great---now I have to write a novel
I'll give you this: I should have added surgical skill to judgement, communication and compassion as items not tested in a board exam. Again, as I've already stated, board certification does not guarantee a good physician, but it sets a certain minimum standard of knowledge which is essential to becoming a good physician. Unfortunately, the bar keeps getting set lower and lower.

To sit for the board exam in Internal Medicine, first you have to be accepted into a medical school, then complete the requirements for graduation. You have to complete an accredited residency program, as well as pass parts 1,2, and 3 of the NBME (National Board of Medical Examiners), which is also the test requirement in 49/50 states for a license. You need a recommendation from your program director as to performance and character. Subspecialty boards also require the completion of an accredited fellowship program in that specialty. I believe surgical boards also require your procedure journal---a list of all surgeries that you performed or assisted at, and there are numerical requirements. One reason that foreign physicians tend to not be board certified is that they may have not completed an ACCREDITED residency. Does that answer you question?

As far as minimum standards go, I'm afraid they are declining. The year I applied to medical school, there were 126,000 individuals who graduated from AMERICAN universities competing for 17,000 seats. You would think that only the top candidates would be granted admission. WRONG, very wrong. I think the only institutions that are looking purely at merit are professional sports teams and Wall Street law firms. In 1980, I sat as a student representative on the admission committee at my medical school. There were over 11,000 applications for 224 seats, so again, you would think they would just pick the best of the best. WRONG. Even 37 years ago, one of the top priorities was to achieve "diversity" in the student body. As a result, frankly they admitted students who were lucky to graduate college. And so it starts. Then, to keep some of these less qualified students, they had the "6 year program"---they would repeat their first year, then get passed, repeat the second year, then get passed. By the time they hit the 3rd and 4th year, which is somewhat more subjective in grading and based on the opinion of supervising residents and attendings, no one had the guts to fail them. Now they had a MD degree! Sadly , it was no different at Harvard and Yale. The NBME is an easy exam, so now they could get a license. Beware! To make it worse, last year they changed the nature of the MCATs (Medical School Admission test). Believe it or not, they have de-emphasized knowledge of science and math, and instead are emphasizing "cultural awareness" What a joke. I want MY doctor to be aware of how the human body works, what goes wrong, and how to fix it. I couldn't care less about "cultural awareness", which is really nothing more than a way to justify certain student admissions.

By the way, have you ever sat on a medical school admission committee? Think hard. Also, if you don't believe that there is an art to medicine, think even harder.

Now, the Board exams are a much tougher test. Only about 65% of the candidates pass the test, so it ensures a much higher MINIMUM standard---no, not a great physician, but a high standard of minimal medical knowledge

Actually, DB is right and you are the one that should think hard. He was a hospital administrator and also worked with insurances, which means he had to vet physicians. I wouldn't have said your knowledge was "deficient", I think "incomplete" would have been a better term (or at least more polite)

Do you really think all physicians that complete a residency are created equal??? As chief of staff at our local hospital, I was one of the people who interviewed doctors who wanted staff privileges. BTW, have you ever had to interview physicians for a staff position? Don't bother, I already know the answer.

There was one OB-GYN that I interviewed that plopped an 80 page document on my desk at the interview. I asked what it was, and he replied "it's my business plan" OOPS, very wrong answer for me. I don't know how much time and effort he put into it, but it clearly showed me that his priority was not patient care, but dollars. He was accepted onto the staff despite my objections. One year later he was back at my desk as I fulfilled my legal obligation to revoke his surgical privileges. In the space of 8 months, he had transected 3 ureters during LAVH(Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy). The average for a GYN performing this procedure is 0.3 ureters transected in a 30 year career, and he had 10x as many in 8 months. So, I still agree, that board certification does not guarantee surgical skill.
So, no, a "test" did not make him better. But don't confuse a MINIMUM standard with achieving excellence either, but it isn't a bad starting point

Golfing Eagles -- Your post might be the best comment on TOTV that I have ever read!

Many of the things you said have not only enlightened me but educated me. It was even good reading! I never pretended to "know it all." Most of what I've said about being board certified I chalk up to logic and personal physician experience.
I still feel that just because a physician has that certification, it doesn't necessarily make him a good doctor. I believe you said the same thing but in a more informed dialogue.

I did have to laugh about the 80 page "business plan" but the rest of that story was horrible.

So again, thanks for your little novella. I look forward to more on, perhaps, another topic???

[Mrs. Robinson]

If I were to leave this area for Cardiac expertise, I would go to the number one Cardiac hospital in the U.S.; The Cleveland Clinic.

Cleveland Clinic Ranks No. 1 in the Nation for Heart Care for 21 Consecutive Years – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic (https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2015/07/cleveland-clinic-ranks-no-1-in-the-nation-for-heart-care-for-21-consecutive-years/)

Plano is part of Baylor. EXCELLENT TOO. The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (https://www.thehearthospitalbaylor.com/Pages/default.aspx)

The Mayo Clinic is on a par with The Cleveland Clinic.
In comparison to the above, Baylor-Plano is pretty well down the list.

[graciegirl]

The Mayo Clinic is on a par with The Cleveland Clinic.
In comparison to the above, Baylor-Plano is pretty well down the list.

Access Denied (http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings)

You are right, I was thinking of the MD Anderson center for Cancer. BUT the Cleveland Clinic is the best heart hospital in U.S.

[spring_chicken]

I don't like it when people make passive-aggressive insinuations that could damage someone's reputation without supplying facts. Show me the facts. Name the doctor you're referring to.

The Dr. Martinez Cruz I go to has a clean, well-furnished office, a great staff, and the medical knowledge to early diagnose a strange condition in one of my relatives that saved him from extensive organ damage. He has worked at Mass General and seen everything that's come down the pike.

You just talked me into paying the $500/year to stay with him.

I don't like it either. Never understood some people's need to hijack and derail a thread so that they can insert slander and innuendo against someone they've probably never met.
The thread is about concierge medical care. Don't want it? Don't like it? Don't do it!

[golfing eagles]

Golfing Eagles -- Your post might be the best comment on TOTV that I have ever read!

Many of the things you said have not only enlightened me but educated me. It was even good reading! I never pretended to "know it all." Most of what I've said about being board certified I chalk up to logic and personal physician experience.
I still feel that just because a physician has that certification, it doesn't necessarily make him a good doctor. I believe you said the same thing but in a more informed dialogue.

I did have to laugh about the 80 page "business plan" but the rest of that story was horrible.

So again, thanks for your little novella. I look forward to more on, perhaps, another topic???

Thank you, I feel that I have fulfilled my role as a patient educator and it makes all that typing worthwhile. You didn't know any of that "stuff" because you had no reason to know it. It would be no different for me in a discussion of electrical engineering with Village Thinker or waste management with Nucky.

Unfortunately, the 3 transected ureters was just the tip of the iceberg with this guy---but it was the thing I could hang him with since an unexpected bad surgical outcome is a state reportable incident. God only knows what he was doing to patients in his office, since I couldn't touch him there.

[Mrs. Robinson]

Thank you, I feel that I have fulfilled my role as a patient educator and it makes all that typing worthwhile. You didn't know any of that "stuff" because you had no reason to know it. It would be no different for me in a discussion of electrical engineering with Village Thinker or waste management with Nucky.

Unfortunately, the 3 transected ureters was just the tip of the iceberg with this guy---but it was the thing I could hang him with since an unexpected bad surgical outcome is a state reportable incident. God only knows what he was doing to patients in his office, since I couldn't touch him there.

I will always thank someone who can educate me because I know I don't know everything! I don't mind being "bashed" when I am factually informed. It is when someone who can't spell, can't punctuate and doesn't know the essence of grammar, thinks they know a lot because they just looked it up, bashes me. I don't have the need to be "Miss Goody Two Shoes" and liked by everyone. Eventually, others see through that cloud.

By the way, did you ever think about Googling that person, since you do know his name. You might find some interesting reading material!

On a serious note -- thanks again! :mademyday:

[golfing eagles]

I will always thank someone who can educate me because I know I don't know everything! I don't mind being "bashed" when I am factually informed. It is when someone who can't spell, can't punctuate and doesn't know the essence of grammar, thinks they know a lot because they just looked it up, bashes me. I don't have the need to be "Miss Goody Two Shoes" and liked by everyone. Eventually, others see through that cloud.

By the way, did you ever think about Googling that person, since you do know his name. You might find some interesting reading material!

On a serious note -- thanks again! :mademyday:

YW. I think I made a new friend!

[Kup Kake]

I don't like it either. Never understood some people's need to hijack and derail a thread so that they can insert slander and innuendo against someone they've probably never met.
The thread is about concierge medical care. Don't want it? Don't like it? Don't do it!

Perfectly said, CFRANCE and Spring_Chicken.

Dr. Martinez-Cruz is an excellent doctor. I mean EXCELLENT. I will compare him to ANY board certified doctor in the area and he will definitely come out on top. There is no question to his on-target expertise.

[Quixote]

I had an exceptional internist when we lived in Las Vegas. After several years he joined a concierge plan. It cost each of us $1500 per year and was worth every penny. As I said he was an exceptional doc. I'm comfortable selecting physicians.

The doctor is Dr. Martinez Cruz and I feel confident saying you will not find a better internist in the area. He is an excellent diagnostician and takes the time to listen to you. That $500 is money well spent!

I pay $1,800. per year for EACH of my parents for their doctor in VA. Worth every penny. They are seen when needed and never any waiting.

We had a concierge practice in Delaware and loved it. The fee generally provides you access. You can get in quickly and the doctor spends more time with you. Services were changed to insurance so we had no other out of pocket expense.

yes...boston and maimi also do it..my doc is fantastic and does the $500....BUT i can e mail him any time and he gets back to me...will send in for a prescription for me without going in...even on vacation he will get back to me...DOES YOUR DOC do that???? NO... the dr. next dor to him charges $1000.00 and YOU do the insurance papers yourself..(not e mail guy) my doc is the best and worth every penny...most of the dr will be doing this THANKS to YOUR obamacare..where the insurance guys are NOT paying the doc..hasseling them etc... BLAME THE INSURANCE people NOT the doc....they won.t even pay for some normal visits..... the doc s have to do this...or they close up....my doc will take me ANYTIME for whatever reason....love the guy....DR CRUZ he has helped me thru a lot.....

We had one of those doctors in Ohio. They are screened to be among the best by the firm called MDVIP out of Boca Raton. The closest one to The Villages is 50 miles away. I miss the personalized care and excellent coordination with our specialists. The fee you pay is for your executive type physical exam and health screenings each year. You get your doctor's cell phone number. He takes your calls and knows you!. Worth every cent!. They take Medicare and private insurance.

I use Dr. Martinez-Cruz for primary care, formerly connected with Harvard Medical School and returning there for an annual conference there for updates in the field of primary care. Besides knowledgeable, he is personable and a great listener. He is a sole practitioner, not beholden to the corporate world that so many physicians are now affiliating themselves with (out of necessity, unfortunately). So far, two of my specialists have praised his move to this membership structure, which is more and more becoming "the wave of the present" in today's world of medical care delivery.

I guess the people who find value in Dr. Martinez-Cruz's membership plan are some of those who have been patients of his for a long time and know the quality of doctor he is (which is my case), or those who have had positive experiences with membership practices in other regions of the country where they're more prevalent.

I absolutely agree on the issue of health insurance. This all started after World War II, when employers began offering this as a benefit, and with the passage of time, this for-profit insurance industry represents a pretty big lobby in DC. Fast forward several decades, and these companies now have the control over which medical services we can receive—and which not. And IMHO it's only going to get worse.

As far as lack of board certification is concerned, at one point I used such a specialist who did excellent work—but as a patient I had no way of knowing that this doctor would never consider closing his office for a week to attend a medical conference to learn about new developments in the field. Why not? Maybe loss of income for those few days? I don't know.... Subsequently I used a young doctor with the same specialty who did not have board certification but is current on such new developments, and suddenly I had more viable options that continue to work a whole lot better. I realize that we can't generalize based on a single experience; it's enough to know that, as one poster put it, we choose our doctors based on the criteria that are important to us individually.



I don't like it when people make passive-aggressive insinuations that could damage someone's reputation without supplying facts. Show me the facts. Name the doctor you're referring to.

The Dr. Martinez Cruz I go to has a clean, well-furnished office, a great staff, and the medical knowledge to early diagnose a strange condition in one of my relatives that saved him from extensive organ damage. He has worked at Mass General and seen everything that's come down the pike.

You just talked me into paying the $500/year to stay with him.

I don't like it either. Never understood some people's need to hijack and derail a thread so that they can insert slander and innuendo against someone they've probably never met. The thread is about concierge medical care. Don't want it? Don't like it? Don't do it!

Perfectly said, CFRANCE and Spring_Chicken.

Dr. Martinez-Cruz is an excellent doctor. I mean EXCELLENT. I will compare him to ANY board certified doctor in the area and he will definitely come out on top. There is no question to his on-target expertise.

I could not agree more about those posters who go off topic, in this case to focus on issues that have nothing to do with either the general subject of concierge practice as a business model or specifically Dr. Martinez-Cruz's medical capabilities. Then again, everyone has an agenda....