Healthcare Organizations Meet Goals with Membership Medicine:
Bolster Physician Morale, Improve Retention, Attract New Doctors ​and Extend Careers 

Membership Medicine Takes Off

“It started with just one doctor, someone very well liked, who
felt an enormous amount of pressure to serve a large patient
panel that was devoted to her. That’s when the snowball
began,” said Keith Elgart, Chief Operating Officer at Concierge
Choice Physicians (CCP).

Elgart was describing how one of the healthcare organizations
that works with CCP embarked on a successful blend of
traditional medicine and full and blended concierge programs
in select primary care practices within their group.

The first physician needed to find some space in her schedule
where she could practice the kind of personalized, one-to-one
medicine that she enjoyed. The organization she was
affiliated with had a large number of primary care physicians
and sub-specialties with bustling practices throughout a busy
metropolitan area. With thousands of patients needing care,
the practice administrator could not afford to let a strong,
well-respected physician experience burnout. “Physicians like
this do more than just care for patients, they inspire younger
physicians and set the tone for best practices,” Elgart said.
“The last thing this organization wanted was to lose her to
private practice or even early retirement.”

That’s when they reached out to CCP. The physician was
aware of some area doctors who had managed to blend
concierge medicine into their traditional practice with a
hybrid program known as the “Hybrid Choice™” by CCP.
This program allows a physician to block out time in their
day to serve patients in their panel who choose to become
members, while continuing to see their other patients as
before. For select hours of the day, the physician can practice
a personalized, relaxed style of medicine while still meeting
business goals. The membership fee more than makes up for
any decrease in volume care.

When her program launched, the organization wasn’t sure
what to expect. How would her patients react to this offer?
Would there be some accusations of two-tiered care? Instead
of complaints, the doctor received sign-ups. Her limited membership
program reached capacity before she even launched, and her waiting list grew each month. It turns out, the doctor wasn’t the only one who wanted a more personalized approach to healthcare. Patients were eager to have a stronger doctor/patient relationship, and they were
willing to join her membership program to get it. In fact, the
demand for the doctor’s program was so great, she eventually
converted her entire practice to a successful concierge model.

Physicians Take Notice

It wasn’t long before other physicians in her group became
interested. Practice administrators certainly noticed too.
If one doctor could be successful in this blended style of
membership medicine, couldn’t others try? They had several
strong, young physicians who were also experiencing the
same pressure the first doctor faced. They too could use an
incentive—both monetarily and personally—to stay motivated.

That’s when the next two physicians launched their blended
programs. And just like with the first, their limited membership
programs hit capacity rather quickly. Both physicians felt this
style of medicine is exactly what they needed after coming out
of the intense pandemic arena. “If COVID taught us anything,
it’s that when patients feel most vulnerable, they want the
doctor they know and trust to be there for them.” Just a few
short months later, another physician with a similar profile
joined, and she quickly sold out her limited membership
Hybrid Choice program as well.
​
The Hybrid Choice programs have allowed these physicians
to generate bonus revenue, practice a relaxed, more
enjoyable form of medicine for part of their day, and also feel
valued, with enhanced professional stature.

 Extending Careers with Concierge Care

The organization took a different track with the next doctor who expressed interest. This popular, well-respected physician was nearing retirement age. Not only was he adored by his many patients, but he was an inspiration for the other doctors too, and the organization wanted to keep him for as long as possible. Together with the physician, they decided he would convert his practice entirely to a full model concierge program. This would allow him to remain in the network, supporting his colleagues and continuing to care for patients while generating substantial revenue at a pace he enjoyed with patients who valued him, thereby extending his career.

Providing Incentives that Retain and Attract New Physicians

Today, more physicians from this organization are on deck to launch a membership model within their practice. From a business perspective, the success of the programs cannot be ignored. An average Hybrid Choice™ model boosts revenue by as much as 30-40%, without having to dismiss current patients or relocate physicians. And with payment structured properly, the programs provide an enormous financial incentive for physicians and healthcare organizations.

Other organizations have used their membership medicine programs as a bonus employee benefit. As one group manager said, “Our Hybrid Choice program was an excellent recruitment tool to attract new physicians to our busy group practice. The physicians we interviewed could see how well the programs were working for us and were eager to try concierge medicine themselves.” In a competitive marketplace, the financial incentive that comes from membership medicine programs can easily distinguish a healthcare organization from its competition. It also demonstrates the strength and stability of the group.

Programs that Allow Choices, Not Force Changes

When it comes to membership medicine and healthcare organizations, it’s critical that the overall business structure remains intact and programs are offered as service options, not a massive change. Physicians don’t need to move to a new, swanky office. Patients are never dismissed. Referral networks remain intact and the practice continues to accept insurance and government programs as before. The membership program gets customized to suit the unique goals of the physicians and the overall organization, whether that means preventing burnout, attracting new physicians, or extending the careers of senior physicians.

The right models from CCP make this possible. Because of the flexible nature of our programs and our institution-friendly approach, we are the leading concierge service provider supporting large groups and organizations. We don’t force our own branding, require physicians to commit to long contracts with hooks, or create strict transition schedules. We are able to work with business managers and physicians to determine the paths and the pace with which everyone can be comfortable. As a lead physician from a large group practice said, “CCP’s flexible approach allowed us to pace ourselves and grow when we felt ready. We are fortunate to have an excellent practice manager, staff and patients who see the value Concierge Choice programs bring to our organization.”

FIND OUT MORE TODAY:

For more information on CCP’s membership medicine programs, contact Keith Elgart, CCP’s Chief Operating Officer at (877) 888-5590 or email kelgart@ccpmd.com.   You can also visit our physician Resource Room for more information about membership medicine and Concierge Choice Physicians.