Medicare Is Great — But It Has Limits
If you're over 65, Medicare is a lifeline. It covers hospital stays, doctor visits, lab work, and much more. But there are things Medicare was never designed to provide — and those gaps can make the difference between adequate care and exceptional care.
What Medicare Doesn't Cover
Medicare covers what happens to you medically. It doesn't cover how you experience that care:
- Same-day appointments — Medicare covers the visit, but not the 3–4 week wait to get one
- Extended visit time — your doctor gets reimbursed the same whether they spend 7 minutes or 45 minutes with you
- After-hours access — Medicare doesn't pay your doctor to answer your call at 9 PM
- House calls — largely eliminated from traditional practice due to economics
- Care coordination — Medicare doesn't reimburse the time your doctor spends calling your cardiologist, reviewing your specialist reports, or making sure nothing falls through the cracks
- Proactive prevention — Medicare covers an annual wellness visit, but your doctor has 2,500 patients and 15 minutes per appointment
How Concierge Medicine Fills the Gaps
A concierge membership fee covers everything Medicare doesn't — the access, the time, and the relationship:
Same-Day or Next-Day Appointments
When something feels wrong, you shouldn't have to wait a month. With a practice limited to 50 patients, same-day availability is the norm, not the exception.
60–90 Minute Annual Physicals
Not a 15-minute "check the box" exam. A thorough review of every system — cardiovascular, neurological, metabolic — with time to discuss concerns, review medications, and plan ahead.
House Calls in Boca Raton
If you're recovering from surgery, have mobility challenges, or simply feel too unwell to drive — your doctor comes to you. The way medicine used to work.
24/7 Direct Cell Phone Access
Not a nurse line. Not a callback in 48 hours. Your doctor's actual cell phone number, for when questions can't wait until Monday.
Medication Management
Seniors often take 5–10+ medications prescribed by multiple specialists. Your concierge physician reviews the full picture, checks for interactions, and eliminates unnecessary prescriptions — something a 7-minute visit doesn't allow.
Does Medicare Work With Concierge Medicine?
Yes. You keep your Medicare coverage. It continues to cover labs, imaging, specialist visits, hospital stays, and procedures. The concierge fee is separate and covers the enhanced access and time with your physician.
Many patients find that concierge care actually reduces their total healthcare spending by avoiding unnecessary ER visits, catching problems earlier, and reducing specialist referrals through better primary care.
Is It Worth It?
Ask yourself:
- When was the last time your doctor spent an hour with you?
- Can you reach your doctor after hours without going to the ER?
- Does your doctor know your name when you walk in?
- Would a house call make your life easier?
If the answer to any of these is no — concierge medicine might be exactly what you've been looking for.
Learn more about concierge medicine for seniors or schedule a free consultation.