Concierge medicine is an alternative to a traditional primary care physician that allows patients to receive more personalized care with direct access to their doctor around the clock.
At Soma MD near Lakeway, Dr. Monalee Patel-Chheda offers her patients a direct line to call or text her 24 hours a day.
“They can call or text me on the weekends, or in the evenings, or in the mornings ... and we can troubleshoot what’s going on without having to wait for an in-person appointment,” Chheda said.
The overview
Beyond offering direct, often unlimited access to physicians, concierge medicine gives patients greater flexibility in how they receive care and the range of treatment options available to them, Chheda said.
“We don’t have as many patients as an insurance-based doctor does,” Chheda said. “I can spend two hours with a patient and discuss all of their concerns, ... and we’re not restricted by time.”
This allows patients to be introduced to a variety of treatment options beyond traditional prescriptions and regimens, including holistic approaches and lifestyle interventions.
“I want to work with patients on the way they want their care to be planned,” Chheda said. “The benefit of spending more time with my patients is I can pick up on small nuances related to their health.”
The details
Most concierge medicine services are subscription-based and do not accept insurance.
Soma MD offers a monthly subscription for patients, and insurance may be used for labs, imaging and other specialty facilities.
“When it comes to insurance-based care, you’re sort of limited in a box,” Chheda said. “I have more flexibility with my treatment options.”
The bigger picture
Concierge medicine is rapidly growing in popularity, Chheda said.
“A lot of people in this area are going to wellness places and getting lab work done, but they don’t have a doctor to review their lab work,” Chheda said. “They’ll call me and realize how much personalized time they get, and they’ll want to stay on as concierge patients.”
This trend is not only at Soma MD, as Harvard Medical School reported that between 2018 and 2023, the number of concierge medicine services increased by 83% nationwide.
Soma MD offers a free consultation appointment for patients interested in concierge medicine to discuss their needs and expectations.
“Medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all,” Chheda said. “When there is a more personalized approach to medicine, it benefits everyone.”
