Myths and Facts Surrounding Concierge Medicine

Concierge medicine is a model of medical care that gives you direct access to your physician for a reasonable membership fee. As opposed to a more traditional health care model, you get longer office visits, easy telephone and email access with your physician, and personalized lifestyle and nutrition counselling among other benefits. 

If you’re new to concierge medicine or interested in giving it a try, you might have a few questions as to how it works. There are many common misconceptions surrounding concierge medicine, and New York City cardiology specialist Jeffrey H. Graf, MD, can help you separate the myths from the facts. 

In this blog post, we’ll get to the bottom of some of the most prevalent myths about concierge medicine and give you the facts that you should know. 

Myth: You need to be rich to afford concierge medicine

While concierge medicine does come at an extra annual fee, you’ll find that the benefits you receive with your care plan are well worth the extra fee. By investing in concierge medicine and taking advantage of its emphasis on wellness and prevention, you may ultimately be able to save on your overall medical costs. 

Myth: Concierge medicine replaces your health insurance plan

A concierge medicine membership shouldn't replace your health insurance plan altogether. Your concierge medicine plan is compatible with your current health insurance plan, which covers or lowers the costs of hospitalizations, specialist visits, and other major medical happenings.

Within your concierge medicine membership, you have the opportunity for unlimited appointments at your concierge medicine practice and direct access to your primary care physician and cardiologist, Dr. Graf. These are benefits that you won’t get with an insurance plan alone.

Myth: You can only get primary care with concierge medicine

Not to discount the importance of primary care, but concierge medicine with Dr. Graf isn’t limited to primary care alone. As a cardiologist, Dr. Graf offers cardiology services and internal medicine services at his concierge practice. These include evaluations and treatment for health complications like high blood pressure, heart disease, and angina. 

There are plenty of primary care services included in your concierge medicine plan to consider too, including:

• Personalized nutrition and fitness evaluations
• Medical weight loss
• Same- and next-day visits for urgent medical concerns
• Physical examinations

After getting to know you well through lengthy and frequent appointments, Dr. Graf is highly capable of referring you to specialists you can trust for any health concerns needing specialty care outside of what your concierge medicine plan has to offer. 

Myth: Concierge practices are just as busy as other medical offices

Concierge practices limit the number of memberships they offer. This means that the practice serves fewer patients overall and providers are able to dedicate more time and more flexibility to each patient. In fact, your concierge medicine appointments can last for up to an hour or longer. This is a stark difference from your local urgent care center, emergency room, or even your family physician. 

Dr. Graf provides premium-access medical care that includes valuable health education and counseling. If you’re considering giving concierge medicine a try, call our office for more information today.