Concierge and Direct Primary Care Practice Setup

Our health law firm assists doctors who want to set up or transition to concierge medical practices (also known as “retainer practices,” “boutique practices” or “membership practices”). Although engaging in concierge or direct primary care practice requires a physician to consider a different way of thinking about conducting a medical practice, the driving force for most physicians to change to the concierge model is “quality of life.”  

Concierge Practice Attorneys

We endeavor to ensure your concierge practice is set up properly by providing the following services:

• Preparing legally compliant documents and forms for the concierge model, including Patient Services Agreements, Patient Enrollment Forms and Membership Contracts, HIPAA Privacy Notices and Disclaimers, Consent for Use and Disclosure of PHI, Consent for Treatment
• Review or drafting legal RX policies to ensure compliance with applicable law and regulations regarding prescribing medication.
• Review and analysis of malpractice policies regarding coverage issues for your concierge practice
• Review and analysis of health plans and third-party payer contract provisions that might be impacted by retainer-based billing (improper “double billing” or “balance billing”)
• Review and analysis of telemedicine issues for compliance with applicable regulations
• Review and analysis of Medicare issues for compliance with federal law and CMS rules and pronouncements
• Preparation of physician and employee agreements for the staff in the concierge practice
• Review and negotiation of concierge franchise agreements for doctors who want to practice concierge medicine under the umbrella of a franchise
• Review and assessment of risk assumed by concierge model to avoid tripping over State insurance regulations
• Review of marketing strategy to ensure compliance with applicable laws

With offices in Atlanta and Augusta, Georgia, our health law firm advises and represents healthcare providers throughout the United States. We have substantial experience and demonstrated commitment in helping physicians, medical practices, and other healthcare businesses succeed.  Our firm holds Martindale Hubbell's AV rating, its highest rating. To schedule a confidential consultation with one our concierge medical practice attorneys, contact us today.

Three reasons why concierge medicine may be the happiest way for you to practice medicine

It is easy to see why concierge medicine is a rising trend. For the patient: same day appointments, 24/7 access, more face time with the doctor, extra preventive care and wellness, not dealing with insurers. For the doctor, more control, not practicing “hamster” medicine (cramming in dozens of six-minute patient meetings every day), actually knowing your patients and their families, not dealing with insurers. Although setting up a concierge practice takes effort, time and commitment, and some risks, the following are three of many reasons to consider it:

1. No more insurers (or less of them)

This reason alone is enough motivation for many physicians to consider alternatives to a traditional, insurance-driven medical practice model. Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to deal with insurers (or deal with them less)? Wouldn’t it be nice not to sign onerous, adhesion provider agreements, or speculate about why an insurer delayed or denied payment again on a group of claims, or try to get the insurer’s business person to understand why a physician’s medical judgment should determine whether a particular procedure or treatment was medically necessary? Most concierge practices do not accept insurance or, if they do, only on a limited basis.

2. Equal Pay but More Gratifying Work

While how much you make will, as with any practice, depend upon a variety of factors, studies tend to demonstrate that concierge doctors make about the same amount of money as doctors in traditional practices, or slightly more. Therefore, money tends to be a neutral factor. The real incentive for concierge doctors is quality of life. Fewer patients mean more time with patients and a greater sense of truly practicing medicine and helping people, as opposed to dealing with administrative details.

3. The Affordable Care Act 

It has become very difficult for patients to see their doctor. Ironically, the ACA makes it harder to see a doctor. Many experts predicted a great increase in the patient popularity of concierge medical practices, which has proven to be true. Patients are willing to pay for access to a doctor. This dynamic creates significant business opportunities for savvy doctors.

Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.

DISCLAIMER: Any result this law firm or any lawyer of this law firm may achieve on behalf of one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.