Most of you are familiar w/ the concierge model, right?
Have no staff, charge each patient $1,000 retainer, bill their insurance for services rendered, be on call 24/7, give them 30-60minut office visits and have a patient panel of 300-500 pts.
See 6-8 pts per day and have a nice lifestyle.
In Bangor, ME I think the possibility could actually work. I have many whom I KNOW would do it in my practice. Most wounldn't but I know a lot would, but not certain if 300 would.
So I propose a hybrid model. Keep my 2,300 patients, charge them all $100-250 retainer fee to stay in my practice. This buys them nothing than the right to see me. The less desirables would leave, those who truly want me would stay. It would make my days less hectic and more manageable.
I realize insurance exclusions and Medicare rules could be a problem. But Medicare is only 17% of my total practice. I could opt out of Medicare, charge the retainer. Cut some overhead.
Any thoughts on the matter? It's late, I'm brainstorming and interested in feedback.
