Bespoke Medicine for Better Treatment
Bespoke Medicine for Better Treatment
Table of Contents
What Is Bespoke Medicine's Healthcare Model?
In the mid-1990’s the idea of bespoke medicine was first introduced. This delivery model of medical care, often referred to as “luxury medical care,” allowed people to get direct access to their primary care physician for a fee.
The healthcare model of bespoke medicine offers around-the-clock physician access, same-day appointments, and comprehensive healthcare highly personalized to each individual. A service like this comes at a cost, but some people feel this more personalized and direct form of healthcare is worth it.
How Does Bespoke Medicine Work?
Bespoke medicine works by paying a membership fee with a bespoke practice. On average, the membership fee is between $1,500 – $2,400 per year or between $125 – $200 per month. This fee can be more costly than traditional care. Still, it does come with some added benefits, including more personalized healthcare and around the clock access to your primary care physician.
Private Pay vs. Insurance
There are pros and cons to both options, whether you choose to go the private pay route or through an insurance plan, such as one offered by an employer. The most significant determining factor would be the cost of the service. With private pay healthcare, you need to have a budget for your healthcare. There is a higher fee for a service like this, making it unaffordable for people of certain income levels. Another downside of private pay is that the number of physicians who offer these services is scarce.
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According to Bespoke Medicine Today, “an estimated 12,000 physicians currently practice bespoke medicine. 12,000 is only a small fraction of the roughly one million licensed physicians and allied care professionals in the U.S.” 1 Depending on where you live, it may be challenging to find a service like this in your area, making it inaccessible to some locations. However, private pay does offer certain benefits that traditional insurance doesn’t. Benefits include unlimited primary care services, the time for your doctor to really get to know you, and you may receive more comprehensive healthcare than you would from a typical doctor’s visit.
Other Names
The bespoke medicine model also has other names. Other services are similar but may have some distinct differences in what they offer.
Retainer Medicine
Retainer medicine is essentially the same service as bespoke medicine, just under a different name.2 With retainer medicine, people generally pay an annual retainer to their primary care physician. This retainer fee allows physicians to offer other services such as 24/7 availability of healthcare, house calls, a comprehensive yearly physical exam, a personalized focus on healthcare, and extra time to focus on health concerns.
Direct Primary Care
In the past five years, direct primary care (DPC) services have begun offering lower-priced subscription-based healthcare models. These are similar services to the bespoke medicine model that charges a flat rate for easily accessible and personalized healthcare. DPC services differ from bespoke medicine in that they don’t participate in government programs like Medicare. Instead, they rely purely on membership fees to cover services. This financial model offers more pricing transparency.
Non-Medical Benefits of Bespoke Medicine
Faster Appointments
One of the main benefits of the bespoke medicine model is faster appointments. Physicians in a bespoke medicine practice typically can focus more on their patients. This attention can provide peace of mind, as they will quickly see their doctor if some medical issue or concern arises when they pay for a service like this.
More Time with the Doctors
Doctors who practice bespoke medicine also have more time for their patients. A bespoke practice typically averages around 450 to 600 patients. In contrast, a standard primary care practice would average around 2,500 patients.3 Having fewer patients with the bespoke model means that doctors can spend more time with the patients they have. This time can help both the physician and the patient thoroughly discuss any questions or concerns in a detailed manner.
Medical Care in Your Home
Driving to a doctor’s office, sitting in a waiting room, having to be checked in for an appointment, and everything in between can be a hassle. Bespoke medicine focuses on making your life a little bit easier. Doctor’s appointments no longer need to be a hassle with bespoke medicine. House calls are available through most bespoke practices, providing more convenience and the ability to see a doctor around your busy schedule in the comfort of your own home.
Round-the-Clock Access to Healthcare Team
Around-the-clock support is yet another way bespoke medicine can provide peace of mind. Bespoke practices offer healthcare services 24/7. If you need to see a doctor, they will be available day and night to help you with medical needs.
Medical Benefits of Bespoke Medicine
More Diagnostic Testing
With regular medical care, diagnostic testing can both be costly and take up a lot of time. This cost leads to general primary healthcare not offering diagnostic testing to patients unless they clearly need it. However, more diagnostic testing is available with bespoke services since it directly focuses on providing comprehensive care.4 This focus ensures health problems that arise are more likely to be caught and treated before getting out of hand.
Better Diagnosis
More comprehensive healthcare and diagnostic testing lead to a better diagnosis. With general primary healthcare, doctor’s schedules are stretched thin, which can, unfortunately, result in missing health signs and symptoms that otherwise could have been caught. However, bespoke medicine focuses on getting the right diagnosis and the exact treatment for complete health.
More Treatment Options
Since bespoke physicians have more time with each patient, they can also work with them on more treatment options. Some health issues can be tricky, and it can take some time to find the right treatment plan. With the focused help of a bespoke physician, you will have more support trying comprehensive treatment options to find the right treatment plan.
Better Treatment Outcomes
More comprehensive healthcare and diagnostic testing lead to a better diagnosis. With general primary healthcare, doctor’s schedules are stretched thin, which can, unfortunately, result in missing health signs and symptoms that otherwise could have been caught. However, bespoke medicine focuses on getting the right diagnosis and the exact treatment for complete health.
Patients Are More Satisfied with Their Healthcare
Ultimately, all these benefits lead to patients being more satisfied with their healthcare. According to aarp.org, “A 2014 survey found that about 90 percent of these patients are satisfied with their care, compared with about 67 percent in traditional health care. And almost all — 97 percent — think their doctors take a personal interest in their health care, more than one-third higher than those in a regular practice.” 5 These statistics show the direct impact that bespoke medical services can have on patient satisfaction and well-being.
Who Is Bespoke Medicine For?
Higher-Income
Typically, people who make a higher income are more likely to use bespoke medical services. This connection is directly related to the service’s monthly cost, which makes it unaffordable to some. This cost is why bespoke medicine is sometimes called “luxury healthcare.”
Company Provided Executive Healthcare
Those in executive roles at a company may also receive healthcare like this through their employment. Companies typically want to take care of those in executive positions who are a big part of important company decisions. Therefore, companies may provide premium comprehensive healthcare services, like the ones available through the bespoke medicine model, to top executives.
Professional Athletes
Professional athletes may receive medical treatment through a bespoke service. When a high paid athlete gets injured, their team will want the best medical services to get the player properly rehabilitated and back in playing shape. A bespoke medical service can provide athletes with numerous medical resources explicitly focused on their personal needs as an athlete. This care can lead to athletes recovering faster and having injuries heal better, ensuring continued high-level performance after returning from an injury.
Resources
- https://bespokemedicinetoday.org/stats-faqs/
- https://kwokinternalmedicine.com/what-is-retainer-medicine/
- https://www.consumerreports.org/healthcare-costs/bespoke-medical-care-pros-and-cons/
- https://blog.definitivehc.com/what-is-bespoke-medicine
- https://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2019/what-to-know-about-bespoke-medicine.html#:~:text=While%20research%20has%20yet%20to,percent%20in%20traditional%20health%20care
