Dr. Kim Elliott
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Concierge practice?
A Concierge practice means that I will accept a smaller number of patients so that I can focus more attention and care on you. Over the past 28 years, I have continued to accept new patients. However, with healthcare changes, the cost to provide care and the time it takes has increased. In order to keep up with the costs to keep the practice open, I would need to see more patients each day in smaller time slots. That’s not how I want to practice medicine-rushing through, getting behind, and still have piles of paperwork at the end of the day.
I don’t feel I have enough time and focus as I did in the past. I want to get back to how it should be. I want to be able to communicate and coordinate your care more effectively, whether that be when you are in the hospital, or at a specialists office, or on the road traveling. Same day and next day appointments will be available, as well as access to me via my cell phone. We will also be utilizing email, texting, and secure messaging for communication, if patients prefer.
Will this cost more?
Possibly, but not necessarily. At first I know it seems like a lot. But, for some, in the end it will cost less overall. There are many times that issues can be handled on the secure patient portal, or over the phone, which ends up reducing co pays and out of pocket costs, but the current healthcare system does not allow for that to easily happen. Having a concierge practice allows me the opportunity to make this happen. I truly feel most people will realize the benefit of higher levels of service with overall savings and less out of pocket costs.
When will this start?
June 1, 2014 will be the start of the new concierge practice. I will continue seeing patients as usual until then. After that, I will only be seeing member patients. I will allow 30 minute and 1 hour time slots in general, with larger blocks available if needed.
I only come to the doctor once or twice a year, why should I do this?
Most patients only come when they are sick or have a problem. Patients in their 30’s and 40’s don’t realize that those are the key decades to start preventing diseases that set in and cause problems in their 50’s and 60’s. There is a lot to be done when you are younger in order to be healthy and feeling great when you are older. Also, some diseases have no age limits. For instance, cancer is one of the toughest battles and it can start young. Also, many people don’t come to the doctor because it is expensive, the wait is usually long, you have to take time out of work, and the issue may not seem like a big deal. That’s not how healthcare should be-I want to make it easier to get your questions answered and make you feel welcome to engage your health. No question is a stupid question. And you should be able to ask your doctor anything and get a response in a timely manner.
Are you taking insurance plans?
Yes, I will continue to bill your insurance plan for the services provided and will accept almost any insurance plan that you have.
Are you taking Medicare?
Yes!
What if I don’t have insurance and pay cash for my healthcare?
I highly recommend patients secure their own private insurance. If you choose to enroll in my practice and do not have medical insurance, I will accept you as a patient. My new office visit rate is a low $60 per ½ hour visit. In-office procedures and lab costs will be passed on to the patient near “cost” without a large mark-up. This will hopefully encourage patients to have their issues addressed, however minor they may seem.