Concierge Medicine Pricing Guide (2026): What Premium Health Care Costs

The Real Economics of Concierge Medicine in 2026

Concierge medicine has evolved from a niche offering for the ultra-wealthy into a stratified market serving everyone from successful professionals to billionaire families. This guide breaks down exactly what practices charge, what patients receive at each tier, and how the economics actually work for physicians building these practices.

The concierge medicine market now exceeds $6 billion annually, with growth rates of 6-8% projected through 2030. But the headline numbers obscure the dramatic variation in how practices structure pricing, from $1,800/year family medicine retainers to $200,000+ ultra-premium programs that include 24/7 physician availability and international medical coordination.

Concierge Medicine Pricing Tiers: The Complete Breakdown

Tier 1: Entry-Level Concierge ($1,800-$5,000/year)

Entry-level concierge practices represent the largest market segment, serving approximately 400,000 patients nationally. These practices typically reduce patient panels from 2,500+ to 600-800 patients, enabling same-day or next-day appointments and 30-60 minute visit lengths.

At this tier, patients receive direct physician communication via phone, text, or patient portal. Annual physicals extend to 60-90 minutes with basic preventive screening. Most practices at this level accept insurance for services beyond the retainer fee.

Physician economics at Tier 1 prove compelling: A practice with 600 patients at $3,000/year generates $1.8 million in retainer revenue alone, before insurance reimbursements. Operating costs typically run 40-50% of revenue, yielding physician income of $800,000-$1.1 million, roughly triple the median primary care salary.

Tier 2: Premium Concierge ($5,000-$20,000/year)

Premium concierge practices serve approximately 150,000 patients nationally, typically limiting panels to 200-400 patients. This tier attracts executives, entrepreneurs, and high-net-worth individuals seeking more comprehensive care coordination.

Services at this level include extended annual evaluations lasting 2-4 hours with advanced diagnostics. Patients receive physician cell phone access with guaranteed response times under 2 hours. Most premium practices provide care coordination for specialist referrals, hospital admissions, and complex treatment protocols.

The Peter Attia model exemplifies premium concierge positioning. His Early Medical practice reportedly charges $150,000+ annually for comprehensive longevity-focused care, though most premium practices operate at lower price points with similar service models.

Tier 3: Ultra-Premium/Executive Health ($20,000-$100,000+/year)

Ultra-premium concierge serves approximately 25,000 patients nationally through practices limiting panels to 50-100 patients. This tier delivers truly personalized medicine with physician availability approaching that of a personal medical advisor.

Services include comprehensive annual evaluations spanning multiple days, often at destination medical facilities. Patients receive guaranteed physician availability 24/7/365, including international travel support. Executive health programs at this tier frequently include family coverage, second opinions from leading specialists, and medical concierge services for complex care coordination.

Practice economics at the ultra-premium tier show dramatic potential. A physician with 75 patients at $50,000/year generates $3.75 million in revenue. Even with higher operating costs (dedicated staff, premium facilities, technology), physician income can exceed $2 million annually.

Tier 4: Family Office Medical ($100,000-$500,000+/year)

The newest tier serves ultra-high-net-worth families through dedicated physician relationships resembling private medical staff. Fewer than 5,000 families access this level of care nationally.

At this tier, physicians may serve just 10-25 families, functioning as medical quarterbacks coordinating all healthcare for multiple family members. Services include travel with families, on-site care at multiple residences, and direct relationships with world-class specialists at leading academic medical centers.

Case Studies: How Top Concierge Practices Structure Pricing

Case Study 1: MDVIP Network Model

MDVIP represents the largest concierge medicine network with approximately 1,100 affiliated physicians serving 375,000+ patients. Their standardized model charges $1,800-$2,200 annually (varying by market) for membership.

MDVIP physicians maintain panels of approximately 600 patients, generating $1.1-$1.3 million in membership revenue. The network takes approximately 30% of membership fees, leaving physicians with $770,000-$910,000 before operating costs. Most MDVIP physicians also bill insurance for covered services, adding $200,000-$400,000 in additional revenue.

Case Study 2: Specialty Concierge (Cardiology)

Dr. Joel Kahn’s concierge cardiology practice in Detroit demonstrates specialty concierge pricing dynamics. Annual memberships reportedly range from $6,000-$15,000 depending on service intensity, with the practice limiting total patients to under 300.

Specialty concierge commands premium pricing because patients seek specific expertise rather than general primary care. Joel Kahn’s net worth reflects the combination of clinical practice, book sales, speaking, and product endorsements typical of successful specialty practitioners.

Case Study 3: Longevity-Focused Premium Practice

Practices like Peter Attia’s Early Medical and similar longevity-focused concierge operations represent the fastest-growing segment. These practices combine traditional concierge medicine with advanced diagnostics, personalized protocols, and ongoing optimization.

Pricing at longevity-focused practices typically starts at $25,000 annually and can exceed $150,000 for comprehensive programs. Patient panels rarely exceed 100, enabling the intensive attention these protocols require. The Longevity Clinic Membership Model guide provides detailed analysis of this emerging segment.

Case Study 4: Multi-Location Concierge Group

Signature Healthcare in Charlotte, NC operates multiple concierge practices serving approximately 3,000 patients across several physicians. Their tiered model offers Standard ($3,600/year), Premium ($7,200/year), and Executive ($15,000/year) memberships.

The group practice model enables shared overhead (administrative staff, technology, marketing) while maintaining individual physician-patient relationships. Group practices typically achieve 15-20% lower operating costs than solo practitioners while generating similar per-physician revenue.

Case Study 5: Academic Medical Center Executive Health

Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, and Johns Hopkins operate executive health programs charging $5,000-$15,000 for comprehensive evaluations. While not traditional concierge medicine, these programs demonstrate institutional pricing for premium healthcare.

Academic programs typically structure pricing around intensive evaluation visits rather than ongoing memberships, though some now offer concierge-style membership add-ons for $20,000-$50,000 annually including physician access between visits.

Step-by-Step Guide: Launching a Concierge Practice

Step 1: Market Analysis and Positioning (Months 1-2)

Assess local market dynamics including existing concierge competition, demographic wealth indicators, and patient demand signals. Determine your target tier based on your credentials, specialty, and market opportunity. Primary care physicians typically target Tiers 1-2; specialists with unique expertise can position at Tiers 2-3.

Evaluate your current patient panel for concierge conversion potential. Industry data suggests 5-15% of existing patients typically convert to concierge relationships when physicians transition.

Step 2: Financial Modeling and Business Planning (Month 2-3)

Build detailed financial projections including membership pricing, target patient count, operating costs, and transition timeline. Model multiple scenarios: conservative (5% panel conversion), moderate (10% conversion), and optimistic (15% conversion).

Calculate your break-even point. Most concierge practices require 100-150 members at Tier 1 pricing, 40-60 members at Tier 2, or 15-25 members at Tier 3 to match traditional practice income while working fewer hours.

Step 3: Legal and Compliance Setup (Month 3-4)

Engage healthcare attorneys experienced in concierge medicine to structure membership agreements, ensure compliance with state regulations, and address insurance considerations. Some states require specific disclosures; others restrict certain concierge arrangements.

Determine your insurance strategy. Options include accepting insurance for covered services (most common at Tiers 1-2), operating as insurance-optional, or going fully private-pay (typical at Tiers 3-4).

Step 4: Infrastructure and Operations (Month 4-5)

Implement technology supporting concierge service levels: secure messaging platforms, telemedicine capability, patient portals, and scheduling systems enabling extended appointments. Evaluate whether to maintain existing office space or relocate to premium facilities matching your positioning.

Hire and train staff for concierge service expectations. Most practices require 1.5-2 staff members per physician, versus 4-5 in traditional practices, but staff must deliver white-glove service quality.

Step 5: Patient Communication and Transition (Month 5-6)

Develop communication strategy for existing patients explaining the transition. Most successful conversions include personal letters, in-office conversations, and clear timelines. Provide 90-120 days notice for patients not converting to find new primary care.

Consider phased rollout: convert interested patients first, then open remaining membership slots to new patients. This approach maintains cash flow during transition while building toward target panel size.

Step 6: Marketing and Growth (Ongoing)

Most concierge practices grow through physician referrals, patient referrals, and targeted community presence rather than traditional advertising. Build relationships with wealth advisors, estate attorneys, and family offices who advise your target demographic.

Track conversion rates, patient satisfaction, and retention metrics. Industry benchmarks show 95%+ annual retention at well-run concierge practices, compared to 75-85% at traditional practices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concierge Medicine Pricing

Is concierge medicine worth the cost for patients?

Value depends on individual circumstances. Patients with complex health needs, those who value physician access and extended appointments, and time-pressed executives typically find strong ROI. Healthy patients seeking basic primary care may find traditional practices sufficient.

Can physicians really earn $1M+ in concierge medicine?

Yes, though it requires proper positioning and execution. Tier 1 practices with 600 patients at $3,000 generate $1.8M revenue; after 45% operating costs, physician income reaches $990,000. Higher tiers with smaller panels can exceed $2M in physician income.

How long does it take to build a full concierge panel?

Timeline varies dramatically. Physicians transitioning existing practices typically convert 5-15% of patients immediately. Reaching full panel (300-600 patients at Tier 1, fewer at higher tiers) typically requires 18-36 months of active development.

Do concierge practices accept insurance?

Most Tier 1-2 practices accept insurance for covered services while charging membership fees for enhanced access. Tiers 3-4 increasingly operate as private-pay only, though patients can submit claims to out-of-network benefits.

What specialties work best for concierge models?

Primary care, internal medicine, and family medicine dominate concierge medicine. However, cardiology, endocrinology, dermatology, and psychiatry have all demonstrated successful concierge models. Procedural specialties (surgery, gastroenterology) typically supplement concierge with fee-for-service procedures.

How do concierge practices handle hospital care?

Most concierge physicians serve as “quarterbacks” during hospitalizations, visiting patients daily and coordinating with hospitalists and specialists. Some ultra-premium practices include guaranteed physician presence during hospital stays.

What’s the biggest mistake new concierge practices make?

Underpricing. Physicians often set membership fees based on what feels “reasonable” rather than market analysis and true value delivered. Practices that launch at $2,000/year struggle to raise prices later; those starting at market-appropriate rates build sustainable economics from day one.

Are concierge medicine networks worth joining?

Networks like MDVIP provide turnkey infrastructure, marketing support, and proven systems in exchange for 25-35% of membership revenue. They work well for physicians wanting reduced administrative burden; independent practices retain more revenue but require building all systems internally.

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