Drastic changes in the health sector of the United States have taken place and these have adversely influenced the quality of health sector. Issues of insurance reimbursement along with high cost of insurance have made most of the US citizen to remain uninsured (Sharan, 2007). As a result, most health care providers, like DR. Green are facing the challenges of assembly line medicine and the fierce competition, increased number of uninsured patients, declining reimbursements, and high operation cost are jeopardizing the future of primary care providers who cannot afford to hire additional workers to meet the increased demand for primary care health. Thus, Dr. Green is considering taking an opportunity of converting his business model to provision of concierge care only, failure to which, his competitors will take the opportunity. Another opportunity created is the availability of a house which is being offered at can increase the size of his area of operation by about 33%. Thus, Dr. Green is worried on whether to take the opportunity or not. He therefore needs to evaluate the whether he should adopt the concierge business model who major issues of concern are accessibility and equality.
Unlike in the primary care practice, the concierge medicine allows the patients to spend more time with the doctor, and doctors are available round the clock to provide medical help to their clients. This is because there are few clients who have access to the concierge medicine, but they are guaranteed of a quality health service (Jawahar, 2007). The quality of service comes along with additional cost; however, most people are concerned about their health, and thereby willing to forego additional cost to guarantee their health (Fresno Medical Education and Research, 2013). Due to the high quality of medical care provided, the members have limited chances of being hospitalized compared to those who are privately insured and those in Medicare.
The concierge medicine is become popular and there is minimum regulation. It is the respective business owner who sets the minimum standards. Ethical questions are rising on whether those practicing concierge medicine are offering quality medical services or are providing the wrong information about the practice. Inability by the government to protect the clients through regulation is also a major concern because there are no price floors or price ceilings (Morreim, 2001). Thus is critical for patients to consider the facts about this practice rather than relying on adverts. However, market research has revealed that over duration of 5 years, the membership has increased by three fold with the majority being aged 55 years. As patients enjoy the quality medical service, the medical physicians are enjoying their profession and deriving job satisfaction because they can offer quality service to their client and have limited chances of burning out (PBS Newshour, 2012).
Among the main problem associated with concierge medicine is that, it is unjust to the poor or the uninsured. The some practitioners accept insurance, while other only take cash. More so, the costs of the medical service are higher than those offering primary care. That means only those willing to pay more can access concierge care. Taking into consideration that there are many people who are not insured, this kind of practice discriminates against the poor while serving the interests of the wealthy (Ranawat, Nunley, & Washington Health Policy Fellows, 2008). Nonetheless, this is a great business opportunity that Dr. Green should take and abandon the old primary care practices.
References
Fresno Medical Education and Research. (2013). Emergency Medicine. Retrieved on 15 November 2013, from http://www.fresno.ucsf.edu/em/hospitals.htm
Jawahar S. K. (2007). A Study on Out Patient Satisfaction at a Super Specialty Hospital in India. Internet Journal of Medical 2(2):13-7. Retrieved on 22 October 2013, from http://www.akspublication.com/paper03_jul-dec2007.htm
Morreim, E. H. (2001). Holding health care accountable: Law and the new medical marketplace. New York: Oxford University Press.
PBS Newshour. (July 9,2012). Concierge Medicine: Greater Access for a Fee. Retrieved on 15 November 2013, from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/july-dec12/medicine_07-09.html
Ranawat, A., Nunley, R. M. & Washington Health Policy Fellows. (2008). Issues Facing America: Medicare. Retrieved on 24 October 2013, from http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/aug08/reimbursement1.asp
Sharan, A. D, et al (2007). Current issues in health policy: A primer for the orthopaedic surgeon. J Am Acad Orthop Surg, (15)76-86.
