Concierge medicine costs between $2,000 and $50,000 per year, with the national average landing around $2,500-3,000 annually. The model is simple. You pay a membership fee. Your doctor sees 400-600 patients instead of 2,000-3,000. Consequently, you get same-day appointments, extended visits, and a physician who actually knows your name. Between 7,000 and 22,000 US physicians now practice concierge medicine. Furthermore, the industry is growing because the traditional healthcare system is breaking both patients and doctors. However, the price of entry creates a two-tier system that raises uncomfortable questions about health equity.
Concierge Medicine Pricing Tiers
The market organizes into three distinct levels. Standard concierge practices charge $2,000-4,000 annually. These reduce patient panels to several hundred individuals. They offer faster scheduling, longer visits, and enhanced access compared to traditional primary care. Furthermore, they still bill insurance for medical services. The membership fee covers the enhanced access layer.
Mid-tier practices run $4,000-10,000 per year. At this level, expect comprehensive annual physicals, advanced screenings, wellness coaching, and 24/7 physician availability. Moreover, many practices at this tier include telemedicine, care coordination with specialists, and personalized prevention planning. PartnerMD, one of the largest concierge networks, charges $2,600-3,600 per year depending on location.
Ultra-premium practices command $15,000-50,000 annually. MD2, one of the most exclusive firms, limits each physician to just 50 families. Consequently, the fee supports multi-hour annual evaluations, direct communication at all times, and high-touch coordination woven into every aspect of a patient’s medical life. At this tier, your doctor essentially becomes a member of your household staff.
What the Membership Fee Actually Covers
The membership fee does not replace health insurance. This is the most common misconception. Instead, it covers enhanced access to your physician. Insurance still handles lab work, imaging, medications, hospitalizations, and specialist visits. Consequently, concierge patients maintain standard health insurance alongside their membership.
Typical membership benefits include same-day or next-day appointments, extended consultation times (30-60 minutes versus the standard 15), direct physician communication via phone or email, and comprehensive annual physicals. Furthermore, many practices include wellness programs, health coaching, and proactive care coordination. Some include advanced screenings within the membership. Others charge separately for testing beyond standard panels.
Direct primary care (DPC) offers a different model. DPC practices charge $600-1,500 annually. However, they do not bill insurance at all. The flat fee covers unlimited office visits, telemedicine, basic in-office labs, and procedures. Consequently, DPC is more affordable but typically offers fewer services than full concierge practices.
The ROI Argument
Proponents cite compelling financial data. Concierge medicine members reportedly spend 35% less on total healthcare costs despite their membership fees. Furthermore, ER visits among concierge patients drop by 65%. Each avoided ER visit saves $2,000-5,000. Hospital admissions fall by 35%. One prevented hospitalization saves $10,000-30,000.
Companies investing in executive health see an average return of $3.27 for every dollar spent on comprehensive preventive programs. Additionally, reduced absenteeism and improved leadership performance provide indirect business value. Consequently, many corporations offer concierge memberships as retention tools for senior leadership.
The Equity Problem
Critics raise legitimate concerns. Every doctor who enters concierge practice leaves traditional patients behind. Traditional physicians already manage 2,000-3,000 patients each. When a physician converts to concierge and limits their panel to 400-600, roughly 1,500 patients must find new providers. Furthermore, the physician shortage makes replacements difficult to find.
A 2023 study found no evidence that concierge medicine leads to mortality changes. Additionally, the out-of-pocket cost excludes lower-income patients by design. Nevertheless, physicians defending the model argue that smaller panels reduce burnout. One doctor told KFF Health News that concierge practice was necessary self-preservation in a punishing system.
Major Concierge Providers
Several health systems now offer concierge services. These include Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Rush University Medical Center. Furthermore, national networks like PartnerMD and MDVIP serve thousands of patients across multiple states.
The landscape is evolving. Starting January 1, 2026, patients in direct primary care arrangements costing less than $150 per month can contribute to health savings accounts. This tax change makes DPC more financially attractive. Consequently, the entry-level concierge market may expand as HSA compatibility removes a previous barrier.
Where Concierge Fits in the Longevity Economy
Concierge medicine is one layer of the longevity economy stack. It sits between standard primary care and fully personalized optimization programs like Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint. For affluent professionals, it represents the minimum investment in proactive health management. For context, see also our executive physical cost guide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does concierge medicine cost per year?
Annual fees range from $2,000 to $50,000 depending on the practice tier. The national average is $2,500-3,000. Standard practices charge $2,000-4,000. Mid-tier runs $4,000-10,000. Furthermore, ultra-premium practices like MD2 charge $15,000-40,000 for panels of just 50 families per physician.
Does concierge medicine replace health insurance?
No. The membership fee covers enhanced physician access, not medical services. You still need insurance for labs, imaging, medications, hospitalizations, and specialist visits. Furthermore, most concierge practices bill insurance for standard medical services. The membership fee is an additional cost above insurance premiums.
Is concierge medicine worth the cost?
Data suggests members spend 35% less on total healthcare. ER visits drop 65%. Hospital admissions fall 35%. However, a 2023 study found no mortality benefit. Furthermore, the value depends on personal health needs. Those with complex conditions or demanding schedules benefit most from enhanced access.
What is the difference between concierge medicine and direct primary care?
Concierge medicine charges $2,000-50,000 annually and still bills insurance. Direct primary care charges $600-1,500 yearly and does not bill insurance. DPC includes most primary services in the flat fee. Furthermore, concierge typically offers broader services and smaller patient panels than DPC.
How many patients does a concierge doctor see?
Standard concierge doctors manage 400-600 patients. Traditional primary care doctors manage 2,000-3,000. Ultra-premium practices like MD2 limit panels to 50 families per physician. Furthermore, smaller panels mean longer appointments, faster scheduling, and more personalized care.