Making the switch to a concierge medical practice is a significant healthcare decision, and I believe you deserve complete transparency before committing. As a Board Certified Internal Medicine physician who has built my practice here in Boca Raton around this model, I understand that prospective patients have important questions—and they should. The right questions help you find a practice that truly fits your needs, your lifestyle, and your health goals.
Whether you're a long-time Palm Beach County resident or a snowbird who spends winters in South Florida, here are the essential questions I recommend asking any concierge physician before joining their practice.
How Accessible Will My Doctor Actually Be?
This is perhaps the most important question, because accessibility is the cornerstone of concierge medicine. But "accessible" can mean different things to different practices. You want specifics.
Ask whether you'll have the doctor's direct cell phone number. Find out how after-hours communications work—is it truly 24/7 access, or are there limitations? What's the typical response time for non-urgent questions? When you call, will you speak directly to your physician, or will you go through office staff first?
In my practice, I give patients my personal cell phone number. When you text or call, you reach me—not an answering service, not a nurse triage line. This direct relationship is what sets concierge medicine apart from conventional practices where getting through to your actual doctor can feel impossible.
What Services Are Included in the Membership?
Concierge practices vary significantly in what's covered under the membership arrangement. You need clarity on this before joining. Ask for a detailed list of included services and understand what, if anything, would generate additional charges.
Consider asking about:
- Annual comprehensive physical examinations and their scope
- Preventive screenings and wellness assessments
- Coordination with specialists and hospital care
- Same-day or next-day appointment availability
- Telemedicine and virtual visit options
- Prescription management and medication reviews
- Help navigating the healthcare system and insurance questions
For my patients in Palm Beach County, I find that comprehensive care coordination is particularly valuable. Many of my patients see multiple specialists, and having a physician who knows your complete medical picture and can communicate effectively with your entire care team makes an enormous difference in outcomes.
How Many Patients Does the Practice Accept?
This question gets to the heart of why concierge medicine works. Traditional primary care physicians often manage panels of 2,000 to 3,000 patients. That volume makes the kind of personalized, unhurried care you deserve virtually impossible.
Ask the practice how many patients they currently serve and what their maximum capacity is. A smaller patient panel means more time for you—longer appointments, more thorough evaluations, and a doctor who genuinely knows you as a person, not just a chart number.
I intentionally keep my practice small because I believe medicine should be relational. When you're dealing with a complex health issue, you want a physician who remembers your history, understands your concerns, and has the time to think carefully about your care.
What Is the Doctor's Background and Approach to Care?
Board certification, training, and clinical experience matter. But beyond credentials, you want to understand how a physician approaches medicine. Are they proactive about prevention, or primarily reactive when problems arise? How do they feel about integrating lifestyle medicine with conventional treatment? Do they take time to explain diagnoses and treatment options in plain language?
I trained at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Internal Medicine, and I bring both clinical rigor and a genuine belief that patients should be active participants in their healthcare. I take the time to explain the "why" behind my recommendations because informed patients make better decisions.
For snowbirds who split time between South Florida and northern states, ask specifically about care coordination with physicians elsewhere. You need a doctor who will communicate with your other providers and ensure continuity when you're traveling back and forth.
How Does the Practice Handle Emergencies and Hospital Care?
Medical emergencies don't wait for convenient timing. Understanding how your concierge physician handles urgent situations and hospital admissions is critical.
Ask whether the doctor has admitting privileges at local hospitals. Will they visit you if you're hospitalized, or coordinate with hospitalists on your behalf? How quickly can they arrange specialist consultations when urgent issues arise?
In Boca Raton, I work closely with the excellent hospital systems in Palm Beach County. When a patient needs hospitalization, I'm involved in their care—reviewing results, communicating with specialists, and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks during transitions.
Can I Meet the Doctor Before Committing?
Any reputable concierge practice should offer a consultation or meet-and-greet before you join. This isn't just about the doctor evaluating whether they can help you—it's equally about you determining whether this physician is the right fit for your needs.
Use this meeting to assess communication style, warmth, and whether you feel genuinely heard. Healthcare is deeply personal. You deserve a doctor you trust, one you feel comfortable calling when something worries you at 10 PM, and one who makes you feel like a priority rather than a number.
The relationship between patient and physician should feel like a partnership. If it doesn't feel right during that initial consultation, trust your instincts.
Finding the Right Fit in Palm Beach County
Choosing a concierge physician is ultimately about finding someone who aligns with your values and meets your specific healthcare needs. Take your time with this decision. Ask the tough questions. A good concierge doctor will welcome them—transparency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of exceptional medical care.
If you'd like to learn more about personalized concierge medicine care in Palm Beach County, schedule a free consultation with Dr. Ben Soffer today.