Accessing timely medical care is vital, but the reality is that long wait times to see specialists or undergo procedures have become the norm.
This is where concierge medicine Los Angeles providers can step in to provide patients with faster access to needed treatments.
Understanding Concierge Medicine
Concierge medicine, also called membership medicine or direct care, is a private medical practice model.
Patients pay an annual or monthly fee directly to the practice to receive enhanced care offerings and amenities.
Some key features of concierge medicine include:
- Smaller patient panels (typically ~600 patients vs 2,000+ for regular practices)
- 24/7 access to doctors via phone, text, or email
- Little-to-no wait times for appointments
- Longer, less rushed visits
- More personalized care and attention from the provider
The lower patient volume combined with flexible scheduling enables concierge doctors to treat patients sooner compared to traditional health systems.
When Does Concierge Medicine Offer Quicker Treatment Access?
Concierge practices provide faster access to care in several situations:
Elective Surgeries
Patients needing knee replacement surgery or other elective procedures like bariatric surgery often face extensive wait times due to surgery backlogs.
Concierge doctors can leverage their industry connections and privileges at local hospitals to schedule surgeries much sooner.
“Many of our new concierge members were waiting 6-12+ months for needed joint replacements under their previous insurance-based care,” explains Dr. Richard Jee, a concierge physician.
“Within 2-4 weeks of joining, we are routinely able to get them scheduled.”
Specialist Referrals
Getting appointments with specialists like dermatologists, allergists, psychiatrists, or neurologists can mean booking out 4-6 months in advance with community health networks.
Concierge practices bypass referral red tape and long waiting lists by having specialists readily available to see members.
“Through our concierge network, we ensure our patients get in front of the right specialist within days or weeks, not months down the road,” says Dr. Jee.
Imaging & Diagnostic Tests
Concierge medicine also provides faster turnaround for imaging tests like MRIs, CT scans, mammograms, colonoscopies, and endoscopies to diagnose conditions sooner.
Instead of being stuck on hospital or clinic waitlists, concierge doctors make these diagnostic services a priority for more prompt treatment.
Average Wait Times Comparison:
| Medical Service | Concierge Medicine | Traditional Care |
| Primary Care Appointment | Same/Next Day | 2-4 Weeks |
| Specialist Appointment | 7-14 Days | 12-24+ Weeks |
| Elective Surgery | 4-8 Weeks | 6-12+ Months |
| MRI/CT Scan | 72 Hours | 3+ Weeks |
Should You Consider Concierge Medicine?
Here are a couple key questions to see if converting to concierge could benefit you:
- Do you have an urgent medical situation requiring prompt specialist evaluation or surgery?
- Have you experienced excessively long waits to address an ongoing health concern?
- Are you battling a complex condition where early treatment can impact outcomes?
If you answered yes to any, concierge medicine may offer you a faster route to needed care.
The lower patient volume, 24/7 access to your personal doctor, and expedited referrals facilitate more responsive medicine when health issues simply cannot wait.
Many new concierge converts describe the experience as an oasis of attentive care after years struggling within an impersonal healthcare system.
