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Whether you’re worried about the approaching cold and flu season, suffering with seasonal allergies, or managing a chronic disease, this time of year we all seem to be thinking about our health.
But navigating the health care system has become increasingly cumbersome. Getting an appointment with a physician can feel like a Herculean task and wait times to be seen are often lengthy. Today, concierge medicine practices like PartnerMD have emerged to take the hassle out of accessing health care.
Concierge medicine is a membership-based primary care model that requires an out-of-pocket annual fee (separate from health insurance). The fee allows doctors to reduce the size of their panels—how many patients they see—from more than 2,000 in traditional primary care to 400-600 in concierge medicine. The difference shows in the patient experience a member can have; a physician who might have over 20 appointments a day can reduce that to six to 10. Fewer appointments means more time and a better relationship with your doctor.
It also allows patients to get the kind of personalized, proactive, preventive care they truly want. It allows the doctor time to answer all questions and build a plan to prevent illness over the long-term, not just treat the symptoms that are apparent at that visit.
“Prevention has to be a big part of everyone’s medical care,” says Dr. Eric Carr, one of three physicians at PartnerMD board-certified in internal medicine. “Once a health issue develops and becomes more advanced, it’s much more difficult to treat and get under control. Working together to prevent medical problems from developing leads to longer and more productive lives.”
At PartnerMD, patients can expect unrushed visits of 30 minutes or more, same-day or next scheduling, little to no waiting at the office, and 24/7 access to a physician. So those symptoms that may have gone undiagnosed or been left to develop into a larger issue can now be attended to in a timely fashion.
“I have a passion for preventive medicine,” explains Dr. Ellie Goldbloom, also a physician at PartnerMD. “Whether it’s an impending chronic disease or a lifestyle habit that could cause problems down the road, I believe the outcomes are always better if you can get out in front of it.”
In addition to longer appointments, easy scheduling, and improved access to a health care provider, a membership at PartnerMD includes access to certified health coaches, an online wellness platform, coordination of specialist care, and advanced physicals. That’s because 80 percent of a person’s health is driven by lifestyle habits. PartnerMD physicians support their patients in improving their diet, nutrition, fitness, stress, sleep, and more.
“My goal is to help my patients get healthy, and stay healthy,” says Dr. Tamara Sobel, PartnerMD’s third physician. “And I’ve found the best way to do that is to spend the time needed to build a relationship so we can discuss how you truly want to live, whether that’s to be healthy enough to run a marathon, coach your child’s tee-ball team, or travel the world in retirement.”
Membership in a concierge practice ranges from $2,000-$5,000 (though practices in metropolitan areas like New York City may charge in excess of $10,000). PartnerMD Owings Mills’ membership fee is $2,500 per year. It’s a relatively small investment to make to guarantee access to the professionals and resources needed to safeguard your most precious commodity—your health.
Are you ready to discover the ultimate doctor-patient relationship and take the hassle out of your health care? Contact PartnerMD Owings Mills today.