Direct Pay/Concierge/Blended Care: Where Is the Sweet Spot? Part I: Practice and Physician Considerations.

Physicians are actively considering the direct pay and concierge models as a plausible option in providing more patient-oriented care. What are the major considerations and how do we attain accurate data that may help in sophisticated decision-making? Part I of this article provides an introduction of the models, typical patient contract configurations, and physician/provider and commercial payer considerations. Part II will discuss the access, cost, and value from a patient's point of view; patient loyalty and self-care; approaches for inviting patients and other providers; and community relations.