My wife's GP Dr just told her she is becoming a concierge practice

[Totally Tunsie]

37. My former doctor went this route four years ago.

She was barely a good enough doctor to continue to use with Medicare, never mind paying a $3,000/year fee for her services. It was a pleasure to have another reason to drop her.

As it happens, she was located in a neighboring state from me, and the "deal" of private visit service was good only for in-state patients although I was still closer in location to her than many of her in-staters. She also would not phone across state lines - WTH??!!??

Good riddance.

I've since moved a thousand miles away and have a doctor who makes once monthly in-home visits for general care plus additional visits as necessary. Every quarter I get a Medicare and prescription review - also in home. EKGs and x-rays are done in my bedroom, in my comfort. Physical Therapy, 2-3x weekly, was done in-home; Specialist care (Cardiac, Pulmonary) is at the nationally-acclaimed hospital less than a mile away. All of this is covered by Medicare with no hassle. My only (minor) complaint is that their scheduling can be annoying, but I'll deal with it. (They basically tell me when they're coming rather than checking first if I'm available.)

From their website:

How We Help
Give Patients Flexible Solutions
House Calls offers healthcare services that bring the convenience of a traditional doctor's office visit directly to the comfort of the patient's home. Patients have the flexibility to choose between in-person visits, at home, in a clinic, or wherever they reside. We provide personalized care plans, medication management, the ordering of tests, labs, specialist referrals, follow-up appointments, remote patient monitoring, and much more.

In 2 1/2 years, I've never received a bill despite being in the hospital for 2 weeks last year. Why can't all health care be this way?