With or Without Rationing?
In the new model the concierge fee is a payment to avoid waiting:
The CCP hybrid concierge model allows physicians to continue to see all patients — even those on Medicare or who have private insurance — while bringing in a much-needed private source of revenue. In a typical medical practice, about 5 percent to 10 percent of patients opt for the hybrid program, freeing the physician to see other patients as before. Hybrid programs provide for non-covered services only, meaning those not covered under the patient’s existing insurance. In a typical program, patients get extended office visits, same-day or next-day appointments, a direct phone line to the physician and often enhanced physicals and testing.
There are an infinite number of physician practice variations that would exist in a free market. All it would take is for more patients to control some of the dollars that pays for their incidental physician care.
This is interesting, but would like to see more literature on how it would actually work.
It makes sense that some patients would be willing to pay a little extra in return for better service. I wonder if the hybrid model involves any penalties where those not paying a retainer fee? Do those who are not VIP Members always get rushed office visits and appointments that are scheduled a week or more in the future? Do they always have to wait on hour in the waiting room before being seen? Indeed, existing patients could even be told they are not guaranteed a specific time, just a day to appear, while those paying the fee could get prompt care at the precise time scheduled.
This whole idea is anathema to the liberal notion that health care is a right and ought to be free.
This sounds interesting, but what exactly does a “hybrid concierge model” mean?
We should allow any type of creative service that improves our healthcare quality and give us — the patients — more choices.
It will be interesting to see if all the new regulations allow this. Command-style systems operate from the perspective that whatever is not mandatory is forbidden (and vice-versa).