By Erinn Hutkin, Special to U-T San Diego 6 a.m.Jan. 21, 2014<\/p>\n
Dr. Gary Levinson has practiced internal and sleep medicine in the San Diego area for years, but he practices in an unusual way. <\/p>\n
Some of his patients have his cellphone number and the number for a separate phone line into the office. They are also promised same or next-day appointments. And in the office, hes able to spend more time with them, build relationships and get to know patients and their health issues. <\/p>\n
Hes able to do all of that under the concierge or boutique medicine model. <\/p>\n
Its a model thats emerged in recent years in which some doctors offer patients the option of paying an annual fee or a retainer, which varies from physician to physician, in exchange for more access and time with their doctors. <\/p>\n
Patients typically keep their private insurance, which pays for office visits and services, but the annual fee gives them perks such as being able to reach their doctor after-hours via email or phone, securing appointments within 24 hours and more one-on-one time with their doctor. <\/p>\n
In turn, the fee allows doctors to lighten their patient roster, see fewer people each day and spend more time with patients in the office. <\/p>\n
Some doctors have switched to the model full time, while physicians such as Levinson offer concierge service to 5 percent of his patients now with the hope of eventually offering the model to 10 to 15 percent. <\/p>\n
Its not only advantageous to his patients, its often advantageous to him. <\/p>\n
Its unrushed, said Levinson. Patients get what they want and we get more satisfaction without feeling like a cog in the health care wheel. <\/p>\n
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See the article here:<\/p>\n
Some doctors practice 'boutique' medicine<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Erinn Hutkin, Special to U-T San Diego 6 a.m.Jan. 21, 2014 Dr. Gary Levinson has practiced internal and sleep medicine in the San Diego area for years, but he practices in an unusual way. Continue reading