Two Models, Two Experiences
On paper, both concierge and traditional doctors provide primary care. In practice, the experience is so different that patients who switch often say they "didn't know medicine could feel like this."
Here's an honest comparison from the patient's perspective.
Scheduling an Appointment
Traditional
You call the office. You wait on hold for 10–20 minutes. The receptionist tells you the next available appointment is in 3–4 weeks. If it's urgent, they suggest urgent care or the ER.
Concierge
You text or call your doctor directly. You're seen today or tomorrow. If it's after hours, your doctor answers their cell phone and helps you decide if you need to come in or if it can wait until morning.
The Visit Itself
Traditional
You arrive 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork. You wait 20–40 minutes past your appointment time. A medical assistant takes your vitals. The doctor comes in, glances at your chart, and you have 7–10 minutes together. They type into the computer while you talk. You leave feeling rushed and wondering if they really heard you.
Concierge
You arrive and are seen on time (or your doctor comes to your home). Your visit is 30–60 minutes. Your doctor already reviewed your chart before you arrived. There's time for a thorough exam, a real conversation about your concerns, and a plan you both agree on. You leave feeling heard.
After-Hours Concerns
Traditional
It's 9 PM and something feels wrong. You call the office and get a recording directing you to a nurse line. The nurse (who doesn't know you) asks you scripted questions and usually recommends the ER "just to be safe." You spend 4 hours and $1,500 at the ER for something that wasn't an emergency.
Concierge
You call or text your doctor. They know your history, your medications, and your risk factors. They can quickly assess whether you need the ER, can wait until morning, or if a simple adjustment handles it. Most after-hours calls are resolved in under 10 minutes.
Coordination With Specialists
Traditional
Your doctor refers you to a specialist. The specialist orders tests. Results go back to the specialist. Your primary care doctor may or may not see the results. Nobody is connecting the dots between your cardiologist, endocrinologist, and primary care visits.
Concierge
Your doctor serves as the quarterback. They personally coordinate with your specialists, review all results, ensure nothing falls through the cracks, and maintain a unified treatment plan. You have one person who sees the entire picture.
The Cost Question
Traditional
"Free" with insurance (after premiums, deductibles, and copays). But hidden costs add up: urgent care visits, ER trips that could have been avoided, lost work time, and complications from delayed or rushed care.
Concierge
A monthly or annual membership fee on top of your existing insurance. The fee reflects the level of access and exclusivity — a practice limited to 50 patients with 24/7 cell phone access and house calls. But many patients spend less overall because they avoid ER visits, catch problems earlier, and get more effective preventive care.
Read the full breakdown: What Does Concierge Medicine Cost?
The Relationship
This is the part that's hardest to quantify but easiest to feel:
- In traditional practice, your doctor sees a different face every 10 minutes, 30 times a day
- In concierge practice, your doctor has 50 patients total — they know your name, your family, your concerns, and your goals
Medicine works better when there's trust. Trust takes time. Concierge gives doctors the time to build it.
Making the Switch
Switching to concierge medicine doesn't mean starting over. Your new doctor reviews your full medical history, coordinates the transition of your care, and manages your medications and referrals from day one.
Curious about the difference? See our full comparison or schedule a no-pressure consultation.