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-   -   Doctors Patient membership plan (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/medical-health-discussion-94/doctors-patient-membership-plan-245445/)

MWH&PH 08-17-2017 05:55 PM

Doctors Patient membership plan
 
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 08-17-2017 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWH&PH (Post 1436930)
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 08-17-2017 08:28 PM

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 for more info. We have some friends back up north who use it and feel it gives them better access to medical services.

Dan9871 08-17-2017 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YouNeverKnow (Post 1436978)
Which doctor is this?

Could be Medical Concierge Care – Your Choice for High Quality Comprehensive Health Care . Just a guess though.

dbussone 08-17-2017 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan9871 (Post 1436979)
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 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 08-18-2017 01:26 AM

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 08-18-2017 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWH&PH (Post 1436930)
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 08-18-2017 05:46 AM

Sounds like the world's cheapest concierge practice

Bay Kid 08-18-2017 05:55 AM

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 08-18-2017 06:13 AM

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 08-18-2017 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs. Robinson (Post 1437019)
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 08-18-2017 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeriteri (Post 1437042)
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 08-18-2017 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeriteri (Post 1437042)
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 08-18-2017 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeriteri (Post 1437042)
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 08-18-2017 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubicon (Post 1437024)
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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeriteri (Post 1437042)
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)


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