The concept of concierge medicine (also known as private medicine) is not new. In fact, it’s been nearly 15 years since the first practice opened in Seattle.
Scott Setzer, MD, a family physician for the past 14 years, decided to give concierge medicine a try as a way of getting back to basics and getting closer to his patients.
“Documentation requirements have gotten very stringent, and less and less of my day was spent actually talking to patients,” said Dr. Setzer.
Before starting Setzer Personal Physicians in Lemoyne, Pa. in October 2011, Dr. Setzer, a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) since 2002, was a partner at a local family practice in Mechanicsburg. With the increases in both the demand for services and government regulations, he felt like he had less time to foster the physician-patient relationship.
“In order to see 25 to 30 patients daily, most of the communication had to be delegated to staff. I found this model unsatisfying both professionally and personally,” said Dr. Setzer.
Dr. Setzer’s practice works differently from a traditional medical practice in many ways. Patients pay an annual membership fee and in return get a variety of benefits, such as: individual, customized care made possible by the limited number of patient members; 24-hour access to Dr. Setzer via phone, email, or a HIPAA-compliant online portal; and same- or next-day appointments with little or no wait time.
Dr. Setzer contracts directly with his patients and does not bill insurance for any services.
“The most profound change is in the relationships I am able to have with my patients,” said Dr. Setzer. “I know my patients on a deeper level, and have a much better understanding of their motivation and challenges.
“For the first time in nine years, I had one of my patients admitted to the hospital, and went by to see him the next morning. I have made two home visits in my first month of practice. I have the time to really delve into my patients’ concerns, and it feels really good.”