From Concierge Medicine to Patient-Centered Medical Homes: International Lessons & the Search for a Better Way to Deliver Primary Health Care in the U.S.

Abstract

Primary care is crucial to the United States health care system. It is essential to the provision of high quality care; including the ability to reach health outcomes, ensure patient satisfaction, and facilitate efficient resource use. Primary care also places strong “emphasis on health promotion, disease prevention, and care of the chronically ill.”Physicians have introduced two business models in their attempts to improve the delivery of primary care: Concierge Medicine (“CM”) and the Patient Centered Medical Home (“PCMH”). Both models provide personalized, comprehensive preventive care services.CM is a private medical practice in which the physician charges patients an annual fee to be a patient in the practice. In exchange, the physician limits the number of patients in order to offer more personalized services and amenities such as: direct access through email or cell phone, same day or next day appointments, longer, more personalized appointments, house calls, and physician accompaniment to a specialist.