What is The Difference Between Traditional Primary Care and Concierge Primary Care?

Have you ever felt nickeled and dimed at the doctor’s office? Have you ever wished you had easier access to your primary care provider? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people report frustration with the traditional model of primary care here in the US.

We want to change that. With our concierge approach to primary care, Richard Rawson, DO, and our team at Temecula Medical Group we deliver more personalized and convenient care for all of your health needs. Right from our office in Temecula, California, we blend primary care, preventive medicine, urgent care, aesthetic services, and more. 

To give you a better idea of what you can expect when you choose concierge primary care, let’s dive deeper into it, then juxtapose it against the traditional primary care model. 

Changing the game with concierge care

The whole idea behind concierge primary care centers around improving care and convenience for you. We operate on a subscription service model, which means that you pay a flat monthly fee for essentially unlimited access to our team and our services. 

This model allows us to prioritize you. When you see one of our providers, we do our very best to spend ample time with you (if needed), answering all of your questions and discussing all of your options in detail.  We strive to address all of your concerns and medical needs and work with you as your teammate to better and sustained health. 

The concierge primary care model means you get direct primary care. It also streamlines the whole process for you. You get access to our team 24/7, same-day appointment availability, and virtually no wait time when you’re at our office. 

We also offer:

• Urgent care
• X-rays
• Blood work
• Treatment for broken bones and lacerations
• Dermatological care
• Some vaccinations
• Discounted prescriptions
• Discounted labs

And, depending on the tier of concierge service that you decide is right for you, your package can also include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Minor surgeries
• Medical weight loss programs
• Aesthetic services
• Hormone replacement therapy

And you get all of this without any co-pays or deductibles. 

Concierge vs. HMO vs. PPO

Now, let’s compare concierge primary care with HMO and PPO insurance plans.

A health maintenance organization, or HMO, plan is fairly limiting. Really, it only gives you access to your primary care physician and the services they specifically offer. If you need to see a specialist, you have to get a referral from your primary care physician.

Preferred provider organizations, or PPOs, give you a little more flexibility, letting you explore options within their preset network. 

But with both of these options, you need to carefully monitor what insurance will cover and what it won’t. It might include one wellness visit a year, for example, but not multiple. All told, a lot of people feel limited by traditional healthcare plans.

That’s why we’ve chosen to operate under the concierge primary care model. It moves Dr. Rawson (and all of our providers) from a provider who has to comply with insurance regulations and specifications to one who can focus solely on you and the care you need.

Your concierge primary care plan might not replace your health insurance entirely. It doesn’t cover emergency room visits, for example. But as a supplement to a base-level health insurance plan, it can totally transform your health care experience.

If you’re curious about concierge primary care, we’re here to answer any questions. Don’t hesitate to call our team or book an appointment online today.