Understanding How Concierge Medicine Works

Health care access can come with a lot of uncertainty. Whether you’re navigating life with a new medical insurance provider or you’ve struggled to get a timely appointment with your primary care provider, setbacks and inconveniences can prevent you from seeing a physician promptly to address your medical concerns. 

Perhaps you’re among the 25% of people who don’t have a primary care provider — and that number is growing — because of a lack of options, high costs, or scheduling difficulties. It doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re frustrated with your current options for primary care and internal medicine, top-ranked physician and cardiologist Jeffrey H, Graf, MD, welcomes you to explore concierge medicine at his self-titled practice on the Upper East Side of New York City. A concierge membership can stop you from waiting weeks to months for an appointment and access quality care now. 

Your membership includes a wide range of medical services and on-demand communication with Dr. Graf, all for a flat annual rate. This month’s blog aims to help you understand how concierge medicine works.

Low patient load, high appointment availability

Larger, non-concierge medical offices have a high patient load, which means it’s not always easy to get an appointment at an ideal time. Additionally, you might spend a lot of time in the waiting room and very little time in the doctor’s office.

These are not concerns with concierge medicine. When you sign on for a concierge membership at Jeffrey H. Graf, MD, you join a small, controlled number of patients within the practice. 

Dr. Graf dedicates time for extended appointments so you’re never rushed. You have time to bring up all of your concerns and get clear answers to all of your questions. Plus, there is plenty of appointment availability so you can get in soon after you call or click to book. 

Personalized care

As one of a select number of patients, you never feel like a stranger when you visit the office. Dr. Graf gets to know you well as a concierge member and customizes your health care. Not only does he offer personalized advice for nutrition, fitness, and management of chronic conditions, but he also communicates with specialists and advocates on your behalf.

Preventive care is a priority in Dr. Graf’s office, and he focuses on keeping you healthy instead of only treating you when you’re sick. You can book sick visits or wellness visits at times that work for you — even same-day appointments. And concierge patients enjoy expanded annual physicals and remarkable attention to detail.

Excellent communication and access

Communication is an important facet of concierge medicine and a major perk. As a member, you have Dr. Graf’s telephone number and email address so you can get in touch with him anytime. This includes after hours and on weekends when most medical practitioners are out of the office and away from their work phones and computers.

What patients have to say

Current patients of Dr. Graf enjoy the sense of security and reliability they have by maintaining a concierge membership. They report that their own knowledge of their health and wellness has increased with their memberships along with their confidence in taking care of themselves and their families. 

Dr. Graf is highly committed to providing an unmatched level of quality care and dedicating his time and expertise to concierge members. While he provides all services normally covered under your insurance plan, and the office follows your plan’s co-pays and deductibles, the extra benefits of concierge service are all included in the annual membership fee.

If you’re ready to give concierge medicine a try, call Jeffrey H. Graf, MD, or schedule an initial consultation online anytime.