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Each fall, as cold and flu season returns, we’re reminded how important our health is and how challenging it can be to manage in today’s healthcare system.
Getting an appointment with a physician can feel like an accomplishment in itself. And when you finally do, the visit is often rushed and leaves little time for meaningful, personalized care.
It’s no surprise that many people want more than quick fixes when they’re sick. They want care that helps them stay healthy in the first place.
That’s why concierge medicine practices like PartnerMD in Owings Mills have emerged. They’re designed to take the hassle out of healthcare by making it easier to get appointments, spend more time with your doctor, and focus on prevention and long-term wellness instead of just reacting to illness.
Concierge medicine is a membership-based primary care model where patients pay an out-of-pocket fee separate from health insurance. The fee allows doctors to reduce the size of their panels—how many patients they see—from more than 2,000 in traditional primary care to 400-600 in concierge medicine. The difference shows in the patient experience a member can have; a physician who might have over 20 appointments a day can reduce that to six to 10. Fewer appointments mean more time and a better relationship with your doctor.
It also allows patients to get the kind of personalized, proactive, preventive care they truly want. Physicians have the time to answer all questions and build a plan to prevent illness over the long term, not just treat the symptoms that are apparent at that visit.
“Prevention has to be a big part of everyone’s medical care,” says Dr. Eric Carr, one of three physicians at PartnerMD board-certified in internal medicine. “Once a health issue develops and becomes more advanced, it’s much more difficult to treat and get under control. Working together to prevent medical problems from developing leads to longer and more productive lives.”
At PartnerMD, patients can expect unrushed 30-minute visits, same-day or next-day scheduling, little to no waiting at the office, and 24/7 access to a physician. So those symptoms that may have gone undiagnosed or been left to develop into a larger issue can now be attended to in a timely fashion.
“I have a passion for preventive medicine,” explains Dr. Ellie Goldbloom, also a physician at PartnerMD. “Whether it’s an impending chronic disease or a lifestyle habit that could cause problems down the road, I believe the outcomes are always better if you can get out in front of it.”
In addition to longer appointments, easy scheduling, and improved access to a healthcare provider, a membership at PartnerMD includes access to certified health coaches, coordination of specialist care, and advanced physicals. PartnerMD supports their patients by providing additional resources beyond their physician to help improve diet, nutrition, fitness, stress, sleep, and more.
“My goal is to help my patients get healthy, and stay healthy,” says Dr. Tamara Sobel, PartnerMD’s third physician. “And I’ve found the best way to do that is to spend the time needed to build a relationship so we can discuss how you truly want to live, whether that’s to be healthy enough to run a marathon, coach your child’s tee-ball team, or travel the world in retirement.”
Membership in a concierge practice ranges from $2,000-$5,000 (though practices in metropolitan areas like New York City may charge in excess of $10,000). PartnerMD Owings Mills’ membership fee is $2,500 per year. It’s a relatively small investment to make to guarantee access to the professionals and resources needed to safeguard your most precious commodity—your health.
Are you ready to discover the ultimate doctor-patient relationship and take the hassle out of your healthcare? Contact PartnerMD Owings Mills today.