“We have support staff administratively, but they're not medical providers. The medical care is going to be handled by [the patient’s] actual doctor,” Vida Family Medicine founder Dr. Rebecca Berens said.
Dr. Berens, a family physician, and Dr. Anushree Kumar, an internal medicine specialist, work together to provide each patient with a primary care experience that prioritizes their unique needs. Vida Family Medicine's innovative approach redefines the primary care experience through a unique concierge membership model.
Benefits of this model include:
Direct physician access via text, virtual visits and office visits
Convenient self-scheduling and minimal-to-no-wait appointments
Transparent membership pricing free of copays, coinsurance or deductiblesSpecial discounts for lab work, X-rays and other off-site tests
A peaceful environment offering superior care
"Most people can probably resonate with the experience of not feeling heard at the doctor's office, feeling rushed or not feeling like it's a personalized experience. From the physician side, we’ve had the experience of not being able to provide the type of care we want for a patient because of limitations by the insurance model or corporate health system,” Dr. Berens said. “We’re really hoping to close that gap [and] help patients get the care that they want, need and deserve."
Patients pay a monthly or annual subscription fee that grants them access to a comprehensive suite of services, including in-person visits, virtual consultations and secure messaging with their dedicated physician.
Memberships are available for patients of all ages and include a number of procedures, as well:Pap smears
IUD/birth control implant insertion and removal
Joint injections
Skin tag and mole removals
The concierge model affords Dr. Berens and Dr. Kumar more time to focus on patients and provide them with preventative care through annual cancer, chronic disease and other screenings. They also develop tailored approaches to chronic disease management through regular follow-ups for conditions like diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, metabolic
syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, anxiety, depression and asthma without imposing the stress of additional appointment costs on patients.
Because the practice doesn’t have a packed schedule every day, the doctors are able to respond to patients’ messages more promptly, empowering them to communicate directly with their doctor rather than getting passed from person to another. Direct provider access allows patients to receive the personalized attention they deserve without the frustrations often associated with traditional health care settings.
But Vida Family Medicine's approach goes beyond just convenient access. The practice's physicians are committed to a holistic approach that integrates medical care with lifestyle factors. Whether it's addressing issues related to women's health, men's health or chronic disease prevention, the doctors at Vida Family Medicine take the time to understand each patient's unique challenges and lifestyle, crafting personalized plans for better patient outcomes.
"We're able to really help affect the change that patients need to reach their health goals," Dr. Kumar said. "And I'm really excited about that."
Vida Family Medicine's commitment to personalized care extends beyond the walls of their practice. The doctors are actively engaged in the local community, building relationships with other health care providers and resources that can further support their patients' well-being. This collaborative approach allows the practice to connect patients with a network of support, ensuring that their needs are met both within and outside the traditional health care system.
Relocating to Sugar Land
Recently, Vida Family Medicine made the move from its original location in the Heights to a new home in Sugar Land. For Dr. Berens, this transition was a homecoming of sorts, as she grew up in the area. The practice celebrated this move with an open house event, where they had the opportunity to connect with both existing and new community members.
"It was a celebration with all the people that I've gotten to know in the last almost five years that I've had the practice and I was so excited to be able to introduce Dr. Kumar," Dr. Berens said.
The team looks forward to improving patients’ lives and disrupting traditional health care systems with its concierge memberships. To learn more about Vida Family Medicine and its concierge model, visit the website and give the office a call today at 713-766-4496. The team is also active on social media: @rebeccaberensmd, @anushreekumarmd (Instagram); and @rebeccaberensmd (TikTok).
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Multi Platform Journalist Jacquelyn Chorush with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
