How Does 24/7 Access to Concierge Care Work at PartnerMD?

Imagine it's the middle of the night, and you wake up feeling awful. Or it's Saturday afternoon, and suddenly, you're shaky and unsure what's happening.

Usually, that would mean either toughening it out until Monday or heading to the ER just to be safe – neither of which feels ideal. 

With concierge medicine, that whole experience changes. At PartnerMD, we make sure you can reach a doctor 24/7, whether it's 2 a.m. on a Wednesday or Sunday afternoon. 

That means no waiting and no guesswork about what to do next. You can just pick up the phone and get the care and advice you need, right when you need it. 

In this article, we'll talk about what 24/7 access looks like, why we do it this way, and how it helps you get the right care anytime, anywhere. 

3 benefits of 24/7 access to concierge care

Why do concierge medicine practices even provide 24/7 access to concierge care in the first place? Providing non-stop access to healthcare delivers three main benefits for patients.

1. You can get care anytime you need it. 

Picture this: It's late, or it's the weekend, and you only have the option to wait until Monday or go to the ER, which may not seem viable to you. 

With concierge care, you don't have to worry about office hours. Anytime, day or night, weekday or weekend, you have access to a doctor. 

You just make a call and speak with someone who knows how to help. That's the most significant difference with 24/7 access. You can get help when needed without waiting or stressing about where to go. 

2. You'll get the right care.

It's natural to feel unsure about what to do when something's wrong. Is it serious enough for the ER? Should you just wait it out? Should you call someone?

This second-guessing can be stressful, especially if you don't have easy access to medical advice. 

With 24/7 concierge care, you'll never have to guess alone. You can talk directly to a doctor who knows your health history, not just a random nurse or on-call service. This makes a difference. 

A quick call can clarify what steps you should take, saving you from unnecessary trips or, just as importantly, getting the right care if it's something serious. In those in-between moments, having an experienced physician on the line can make a world of difference. 

3. You get peace of mind.

There's something incredibly reassuring about knowing you're covered no matter what time it is. Whether at home, on a business trip, or even at a family wedding, you know you have someone to call to help.

You're not relying on "Dr. Google" or waiting until morning. You can reach a doctor who can guide you, answer questions, and tell you what you need to know. 

With 24/7 access, you don't have to worry about handling health issues alone. That peace of mind means you can focus on living your life, knowing your healthcare is just a phone call away. 

How 24/7 access to concierge care works at PartnerMD

If you spike a fever during after-hours and want to reach out, but unsure how it works at PartnerMD, here's how simple it is:

1. Call your PartnerMD physician number: Follow the prompts to reach the on-call doctor.
2. Leave a voicemail (if needed): If the on-call physician doesn't pick up immediately, explain your situation by leaving a message. 
3. Get a callback quickly: Within five to 15 minutes, the on-call doctor will get back to you. They'll have access to your medical records and will be able to give you informed advice on what to do next. 

From there, our on-call doctor will use the medical information available in your records and any additional info you provide them over the phone to recommend the best course of action.

This would be the same process whether it’s 2:00 a.m. on a Thursday or 3:00 p.m. on the weekend.

Note: If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1 first.

Why does PartnerMD do it that way?

You might wonder, why don't concierge practices just give you your doctor's personal cell phone number? Wouldn't it be better to reach your own doctor directly?

1. Your doctor deserves a break, too.

Doctors are human, and they need time to recharge. Concierge medicine is designed to give doctors more time with each patient, improving the overall quality of care. But if doctors were always on call, they'd never have a chance to rest. 

Studies show physician burnout is a real issue, with many doctors reporting exhaustion from the constant demand. 

By rotating after-hours calls among doctors at each office, PartnerMD gives physicians time to relax and recharge. This way, they're fully present and energized when they see you. It's a small adjustment that allows doctors to deliver the best possible care for you in the long run. 

2. You're always connected to someone with access to your records. 

Another benefit of PartnerMD's on-call system is that no matter who you speak to, it's always a PartnerMD physician. This means they can access your medical records, recent lab results, and visit notes. 

When they pick up the phone, they already know your history, which allows them to give you better, more personalized advice than someone in the ER. 

Get 24/7 access to concierge care at PartnerMD.

In addition to 24/7 access at PartnerMD, you also get:

• 30-minute appointments with your physician and little to no waiting in the lobby or exam room.
• No-stress specialist coordination, so you don't have to manage your entire healthcare picture by yourself.
• An advanced annual physical, our online wellness program called Wellness University, and certified health coaches to build a plan to improve your health. 

Ready to talk to someone about joining PartnerMD? Fill out the form on this page and one of our membership experts will contact you within one business day.