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Retainer medicine is known by many names. Some call this concierge medicine or direct care. This style of medical practice has been growing for the last few years as doctors seek alternatives to the way that care is traditionally provided in the United States. This system has some distinct advantages but it also has some drawbacks. Why this style is advantageous Patients that decide to use this style of provider gain better access to their doctors. Because doctors in these practices see fewer patients than traditional providers, there is more time that can be spent with each person. This gives the patient more time to ask questions and get answers as well as discuss multiple issues if needed. This also helps to ensure that the patient sees the same doctor on each visit instead of multiple options as are provided with some practices. Patients pay a set fee so there is no concern about meeting deductibles for insurance. These patients know what they will spend each year to see a particular doctor. Because the service types are outlined at the onset, people know exactly what services are covered and which ones are not. Physicians see fewer patients, thus making them less stressed. There are also no insurance programs used so this cuts down on expenses. There are fewer employees needed to handle paperwork and no delay in getting paid. There are never any surprise denials of coverage after the treatment has been provided. Physicians do not have to follow rules from Medicare or other entities because they no longer provide these kinds of services. Why this doesn’t work for everyone Many of these practices charge as much or more than what people might pay each year for insurance coverage. This does not make this option affordable for everyone, but particularly the middle class, which is the group that may have the most difficulty financially with medical costs. The rich can afford whatever they like while the poor are likely to be eligible for assistance from the government. There is also some concern that because of changes to the healthcare system in the U.S. as a result of the Affordable Care Act will drive more doctors either out of business or into this kind of practice. Patients feel that fewer doctors will mean more crowded offices and less choice for patients. Currently, it is thought that there are about 5,000 physicians in the U.S. that practice this style of medicine. It is thought that more physicians will choose to change to this kind of practice in the future. Until this kind of practice becomes more commonplace, it is not really known what the exact outcome for society will be.
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