Concierge medicine vs. telehealth
Concierge medicine promises easy access to a doctor for a yearly fee. A telehealth membership gives you much of that access for far less. Here is how they compare, honestly.
What concierge medicine is
In a concierge (or "membership") practice you pay a doctor's office a yearly fee, usually on top of your health insurance. In return you get a smaller practice, longer appointments and easier access to your own doctor. Direct primary care is a similar model that often replaces insurance for everyday care.
Fees vary a lot between practices, and they are often many times the price of a telehealth membership.
How they compare
Access
Concierge: your own doctor, often in person. Telehealth: a licensed provider by video, phone or message, usually the same day.
Cost
Concierge: a yearly practice fee, plus insurance. CheckMD: one yearly membership, no insurance needed.
Exams and tests
Concierge: done in the office. Telehealth: lab tests at partner labs; exams and vaccines in person.
The same doctor
Concierge: always. CheckMD: you can ask for the same provider again when they are available.
Which one fits you
Concierge medicine suits people who want one doctor who knows them well and see them often in person – for example with several ongoing health conditions.
A telehealth membership suits people who mostly need quick, reliable help for everyday problems, prescriptions and questions, without the high fee. Plenty of people use both: a regular doctor for check-ups and virtual primary care for everything in between.
Questions about concierge medicine
Is CheckMD concierge medicine?
No. CheckMD is a telehealth membership: licensed providers by video, phone or message for a yearly fee, without a personal concierge doctor.
Is concierge medicine worth it?
It can be if you need a lot of in-person care and value one doctor. If you mostly need quick help now and then, a telehealth membership usually costs much less.
What is direct primary care?
A practice you pay monthly or yearly for everyday primary care, often without billing insurance. It is similar to concierge medicine, usually at a lower fee.
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