Concierge Medicine and Medicare

Concierge care is when a doctor or a group of doctors charges a membership fee before seeing or accepting people into their practice. After paying the membership fee, members may get services or amenities that Medicare doesn’t cover.

Here are some things to know before signing up for a concierge doctor.

• Medicare does not cover the membership fee for a concierge doctor.

• Find out if the concierge doctor has opt-in privileges with Medicare.

• Unenrolledconciergephysicians are not eligible to order tests, labs, and prescriptions through Medicare.

• Some concierge physicians don’t accept Medicare.

• Concierge doctors that do accept Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans must call the insurance to find out if they are considered in network.

To learn more or for Medicare questions, contact the Medicare insurance broker Sandra Teel at 681-446-7135 (office) or 909-856-9379 (cell). —Sandra Teel