An Experiment With Concierge Medical Care

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It used to be that health care was a privilege and not a right in this country. That is in flux right now, of course. I am not sure I understand why people shouldn't be able to pay more for more personalized health care @Daniel David? You can't make everything equal. Life is not equal. We have taken the discrimination debate too far when we say that people with more money shouldn't be able to buy a better product that costs MORE to make or provide. Is it discriminatory that fancy restaurants don't offer a discount meal for those who NEED to eat, but can't afford the prices at that establishment? You can't force all doctors to be humanitarians.
And the fact that a doctor has incorporated does not inherently make them evil. Yes it is harder to ruin that person, but just because the description of a corporation says that it's responsibility is to its shareholders doesn't mean that is the way the doctor is perceiving it. A doctor could be an S-Corp, which is basically a more protective sole-proprietor. Doctor's are constantly under threat of being ruined in this highly litigious society, and I feel they should be able to protect themselves.
And I think you should have a look at the civil code, before you call for more regulation. Perhaps a re-writing and simplification with greater protection is what you mean. It costs tens of thousands to have a lawyer sift through it for you to make sure you're following regulation. Trying paying for that on an HMO doctor's salary. :)

Lisa of CA 4:14PM February 17, 2011

A new online news source, Concierge Medicine Today, is now available for physicians interested in this relatively new practice model.

Michael Tetrault of GA 5:08PM October 29, 2009

I've been an MDVIP patient since 2003. I'm not wealthy but I put a premium on my health. My mdvip doctor charges $1650 a year -- that's $137.5 a month or $4.52 a day. It's easy to blow that amount on a couple of dinners eating out a month or on a daily Starbucks habit or cigarettes. So I don't think it is really for "the wealthy." It's for people who value good healthcare. In our society it is really easy to blow through money and then have nothing to show for it.

of FL 10:42PM May 27, 2008

There have always been compassionate doctors (individuals) who would donate their time out of generosity, selflessness, and (in some cases) a strong desire to follow the teachings of Jesus. We admire these people, and we should always appreciate each and every one of them.
We should also recognize that for-profit corporations do not similarly have the human characteristics of conscience, compassion, empathy and spirituality. Corporations are paper entities, literally made of money, and under the law have a duty NOT TO CUSTOMERS (or patients) but rather to shareholders---and that single duty is to maximize profit without exposing the officers to prison time. This is why America needs to reduce the corporate grip and influence on health care. Maximizing profits and maximizing humanitarian care are incongruent goals.
Socialist, you say? No. Realist.
Citizens, via government, must set the limits on what corporations are permitted to monopolize in the health arena. We've been doing so since the first vision for an FDA or any state insurance regulators. It's great that there are pockets of charity work. It's also important that the publicity of those works DOES NOT blind us from seeing that medical care and its related "insurance" financing needs regulation, regulation, regulation ----forever. Not to protect us from doctors, to protect us from paper entities.

Daniel David of NM 12:23PM May 09, 2008

But I can't afford it right now. Wealthy people always get the best stuff first...including healthcare. I'm not sure this is a bad thing. 6 years ago, I would have spent several months wages on a tv that now would cost me a couple of weeks. Someone has to pay for innovation. This sort of service will probably make it's way to the general market - in a more affordable, if slightly less helpful, format.

Chris of IL 10:40AM May 09, 2008