At the core of any doctor-patient relationship is the appointment. Appointments are critical as they are the opportunity to discuss your health, life, and goals with your physician.
That’s why appointments are one of your biggest frustrations with the traditional primary care experience. You don’t want to wait up to 20+ days to book an appointment, or sit in a waiting room for 20 minutes, and you definitely need and deserve more than just a few minutes with your physician.
A concierge medicine membership at PartnerMD takes care of all that.
As a member, you’ll be guaranteed same-day or next-day appointments for acute care, little to no waiting at the office, and visits that last at least 30 minutes. In short, you will have plenty of time to build a better relationship with your physician and get answers to all your questions.
How do appointments work exactly? We’ve answered this question for thousands of patients since our founding in 2003. Here’s what you can expect from the different appointments available at PartnerMD.
Acute Care Appointments at PartnerMD
Because we guarantee same-day or next-day appointments for acute care, you can trust that you can see your PartnerMD physician quickly if you're sick or injured. We do this by reserving time on each physician’s daily schedule specifically for sudden acute care need.
When you’re not feeling well, you can call the office. We’ll schedule you for either an in-person or a telehealth visit (more on those in a bit).
And because your appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes and run on time, you’ll get the attentive care you need from your physician when you need it the most.
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Another reason? Physician burnout. Researchers in 2023 found that burnout is still lingering among primary care providers, with 32% of clinicians reporting high levels of burnout, stress, and moral injury.
Simply put, there aren’t enough primary care physicians to treat the U.S. population, which brings us to the second reason.
Non-Acute Care Appointments
Our mission is to provide the kind of preventive, personalized care required to treat illness and prevent it in the first place. One part of that is regular follow-ups and checkups as considered necessary by your physician.
For example, your physician may want to see you again in three months to check in on your new diet or to ensure a new medication reacts well with your body. They may want to check in after six months to re-run your labs and monitor your progress.
We do not guarantee same-day or next-day scheduling for these non-acute care appointments. However, most are scheduled well in advance anyway.
Annual Physical Appointments
At PartnerMD, we give you ample time to build a relationship with your physician and discuss any concerns you may have. That is why our appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes.
For your annual physical, you get even longer.
Our Classic Physical, which is included in the cost of your membership and covered by most health insurance plans once per year, consists of an extended sit-down of up to 90 minutes with your physician.
You’ll discuss your complete health picture in detail, including your lab results, and get answers to all your questions. These appointments are also a great time to discuss your future goals and create a plan to improve your health.
In addition, we offer two upgraded advanced physicals — an Enhanced Physical that lasts up to a half day and a Signature Physical that lasts up to a full day.
These physicals are an out-of-pocket cost and provide access to additional advanced tests and screenings that dive even deeper into your health. They are most popular with our new members, as they arm your physician with the most health information possible at the start of your relationship.
Health Coaching Appointments
One of the biggest differentiators between us and other concierge medicine practices is our focus on wellness.
Our team of on-staff, certified health coaches work with you and your physician to help you improve your health. They provide a wealth of knowledge and a healthy dose of accountability as you pursue your goals.
Access to our health coaches is included in the cost of your membership and available through Wellness University, our members-only wellness platform with more than 70 courses on diet and nutrition, physical fitness, stress management, sleep habits, and brain health.
Health coaching appointments typically last 60 minutes, and you can schedule them as frequently as needed. Some patients see their health coach weekly, while others will settle in for a cadence of monthly or quarterly appointments to ensure they stay on track.
Health coaching visits can also include our annual wellness assessments from one of our health coaches. The assessment is 60 minutes long and is built into your physical.
Combined with your up-to-date lab results and additional medical information, our wellness assessments help you, your physician, and your health coach analyze your complete health picture.
As a member, you can request a health coaching appointment through Wellness University or by calling the office. Your physician may also refer you directly to the health coaching during one of your appointments for help pursuing the recommendations you discuss.
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Telehealth Appointments
One of the biggest benefits of concierge medicine is convenience. That is why we offer telehealth visits, too. Telehealth allows you to conduct a doctor's visit securely through videoconferencing.
Telehealth appointments are available during business hours, just like any other appointment, and can be scheduled by calling your PartnerMD office.
Maybe you don’t feel well and don’t want to get off the couch. Perhaps you’re on vacation at the beach and not close to our office. Or maybe you’re on a business trip and can’t afford to miss a big meeting.
That’s where telehealth visits can be particularly valuable. You only need a computer or mobile device, a stable internet connection, and a quiet area to converse with your physician.
The Benefits of Concierge Medicine Appointments at PartnerMD
As mentioned earlier, appointments with your physician are the foundation of your PartnerMD membership. During these times, you will build a relationship and receive the care you crave from a doctor you trust.
You may discuss a new exercise regimen to improve your cardiovascular health, a potential medication to alleviate immediate symptoms, or steps you can take to help you enjoy your upcoming retirement as you’ve always envisioned.
We'd love to talk to you if you’re interested in a healthcare experience that offers personalized, convenient, and preventive primary care.
