When you’re choosing a primary care Provider, it’s important to ask questions to see if they’re right for you. Do you have a medical condition that requires extra attention? Ask the doctor if they can and are willing to help monitor your condition. At Weekend Whitecoat, we understand that there are certain questions that you likely want to ask your concierge team. To help you get started, we’ve assembled six questions that are good for you to ask before signing up with a concierge provider.

How many patients do you take?

It’s not uncommon for a Provider to limit the number of patients that they’re willing to take. A provider who works in a traditional clinic in a city will likely have the capacity to serve hundreds of patients because of the infrequency of visits of each and the ability to see as many as 20 unique patients a day. Because a concierge provider works differently than a typical clinician, they often cap the number of patients at a much lower number. This can sometimes be as low as 100 to 150 patients. Ask your provider how many patients they take so you can not only see how busy they are but get a good idea of their reputation.

How far in advance do I need to schedule an appointment?

One of the benefits of paying for a concierge provider is availability. It’s typical to try to schedule your yearly physical with your doctor in a clinic as many as three months in advance because they have appointments booked and other time slots reserved for same-day patients. With a concierge service, you can often get in within the same day or within a few days. Find out what your team can do for you.

What services do you provide?

Not all concierge teams are the same. You might pay more for one than another because they offer extra services that you don’t need. Ask what services are included with your membership so you’re getting the appropriate level of medical care that’s right for you.

Can you prescribe my medications?

Maintenance medications are a big deal. concierge providers are able to prescribe most maintenance medications as they’re often for asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure and are not identified by the DEA as controlled substances. However, if you require regular prescriptions for ADHD or chronic pain, you need to verify whether or not your provider can prescribe those medications because they might be limited by state laws.

How many visits do I get each year?

Visits with a conciergeteam can come in multiple forms. It’s not unusual for your membership package to come with a certain number of house calls each year with one of them being dedicated to your annual physical. In addition to house calls, your provider will often be available for telemedicine calls. Ask how often you can get on a telemedicine call as well as the availability.

How long have you been practicing?

It’s important to have a provider who’s experienced. Don’t be afraid to ask your concierge provider how long they’ve been practicing, where they went to school, and what they specialize in. Get to know them as much as possible because you want to feel comfortable with who’s providing you with medical care.

Contact us today

Get in touch with Weekend Whitecoat today so we start answering your questions. We’re more than happy to help you do your due diligence before picking a concierge provider. We know that picking a PCP is a big deal, so we want to help. Give us a call at 410-999-1742 or send your questions through our online contact form.