Concierge medicine, explained

Health systems are increasingly offering concierge medicine, a market predicted to be worth over $13 billion by 2030. 

Globally, the industry is expected to grow from $20.5 billion in 2025 revenue to $44.3 billion in 2034, according to Towards Healthcare, a health strategy firm based in Canada. 

What exactly is concierge medicine, though? 

Concierge medicine is a direct primary care service model in which a healthcare provider offers their services for a fixed periodic fee, often through a membership or retainer fee. The costs and covered services vary widely, and many are out-of-pocket. Some aspects are still billed to insurance, though, including labs and imaging. 

In 2014, the average concierge medicine service charged $1,500 to $1,700 per year. By 2025, the median service rose to cost between $2,000 and $5,000 per year, according to concierge practice PartnerMD. Another estimate said annual fees range between $1,000 and $20,000. 

PartnerMD categorizes concierge services in the above-$10,000 range as VIP or luxury medicine. 

It’s estimated that between 7,000 and 22,000 U.S. physicians participate in concierge medicine. 

Several health systems offer concierge medicine services, including Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth System in Cleveland, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and Rush University System for Health in Chicago, to name a few. 

A recent change

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law in July, will allow people with high-deductible health plans and direct primary care arrangements to pay for concierge medicine through their health savings accounts. 

Current tax code disqualifies patients with these arrangements to contribute to a health savings account. Effective Jan. 1, an individual with a direct primary care concierge model that costs less than $150 per month can contribute. 

Controversies

One critique of this model is that it further reduces access to primary care physicians who are already strained by healthcare workforce shortages and burnout. Another sticking point is the sticker price: Since concierge medicine is often out-of-pocket, these services can exclude lower-income patients. 

Moreover, it is unclear whether these bespoke models offer a clinical benefit to patients. One study published in 2023 found no evidence that concierge medicine leads to mortality changes. 

Benefits

Physicians who participate in the boutique healthcare model, though, say they are increasing quality of care by reducing their patient load. Smaller patient panels not only alleviate the physician’s workload but can also improve access to care for participants. Some concierge medicine models offer 24/7 care. 

“It’s a way to practice self-preservation in this field that is punishing patients and doctors alike,” internal medicine physician Shayne Taylor, MD, who recently opened a practice offering direct primary care in Northampton, Mass., told KFF Health News earlier this year. “It’s either we do something like this or we quit.”

Other benefits include longer appointments, shorter wait times for visits, more personalized care, and access to health coaching and wellness programs, according to PartnerMD. 

Concierge here to stay

Regardless of the debate surrounding concierge services, the trend appears to be taking root and growing.  

Joel George, MSN, RN, executive director of retail services at AdventHealth Parks & Training Center in Altamonte Springs, Fla., told Becker’s in 2024 that consumer demand is driving growth in concierge medicine. 

“While efforts to expand coverage and reduce costs are ongoing, the industry is increasingly also witnessing a surge in high-end experiences and catering to consumer behavior in health and wellness,” he said.

Addressing critics of concierge medicine, Mr. George said practices can provide high-end, bespoke service while broadening care access. 

“As an organization dedicated to health equity, we recognize the importance of bridging the gap in healthcare access. To this end, we are creating more accessible care options by focusing on facilities that merge concierge healthcare and after-hours access to the community,” he said. “By extending operating hours and providing affordable, high-quality care in accessible locations, we aim to ensure that more people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, can receive the medical attention they need outside of traditional office hours.”

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