Though the retainer - annual membership fee - aspect of concierge medicine is new, paying a doctor directly for their services is not. Before the advent of Medicare in the mid-1960s and before HMOs, PPOs and every other kind of “O”, patients paid doctors directly for their care. By creating this massive bureaucracy, patients have lost the ability to simply call their doctor and get immediate medical care.

Doctors have been forced to run from room-to-room, often seeing 30 patients per day, spending precious little time with each. Most physicians have no time to advocate for their patients. They have become the unwitting financial advocates for insurance companies, their CEO's and their stockholders.

Concierge medicine restores order to the doctor-patient relationship by removing the financial interests of the middleman, thus returning the patient back to their rightful place... at the center of their healthcare experience.

LINKS TO ONLINE ARTICLES ABOUT THE STATE OF PRIMARY CARE AND THE BENEFITS OF CONCIERGE MEDICINE

Concierge primary care means your physician is the source for all things medical, and with fewer patients, they will be able to take the time necessary to address all chronic and wellness related health issues. In exchange for an annual membership fee, a patient at Desert Sage Internal Medicine will receive the following primary care services:

• Same and next-day appointment availability

• A routine annual wellness exam and physical

• Longer and more comprehensive examinations

• Preventative care consultations and management

• Coordinated care with specialists and hospital personnel

• Access via phone, electronic communication and videoconferencing

will I still need insurance as a patient at Desert Sage internal medicine?

Yes. Concierge medicine is not a substitute for insurance. You will still need to have health insurance to cover any hospitalizations, medications, specialist visits, diagnostic tests, or other healthcare services. We will be happy to refer you to an insurance representative.

Will my insurance cover the cost of the annual membership fee?

No. Neither Medicare nor any other insurance provider will pay or reimburse you for the annual membership fee.

What insurance does Desert Sage internal medicine accept?

• Medicare or Medicare + Supplement (aka Gap Coverage)

• Private Insurer Policy PPO: although we accept patients with commercial insurance for individuals younger than 65, we are not contracted with these payers. Deductibles will apply.

What insurance will NOT be acceptED at Desert Sage internal medicine?

• Private Insurer Policy-HMO

• Medicare Advantage Plans

Will Desert Sage Internal Medicine bill my insurer directly?

Due to federal regulations, Desert Sage Internal Medicine will need to directly submit claims to Medicare for all Medicare-covered services provided to the patient by Desert Sage Internal Medicine. Therefore, patients will not need to submit a claim to Medicare for reimbursement of services they received at the time of their visit. 

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE SCALE

ALL PATIENT

INDIVIDUALS: $3,000/YR  |  FAMILY:$2,800 PER INDIVIDUAL/YR

BILLING SCHEDULE OPTIONS

ANNUAL

ONE PAYMENT PRIOR TO CALENDAR YEAR

SEMI-ANNUAL

TWO PAYMENTS PER CALENDAR YEAR