Concierge medicine is a type of care where you pay a membership fee to get better access to your physician and care team.
- Do I need insurance?
- Do you accept insurance?
- How does my insurance work with concierge medicine?
- Does insurance cover the annual membership fee?
- Is there a co-payment?
- Do you accept health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance plans?
Yes, all concierge medicine members need health insurance. While the program fee is not covered by health insurance, we will bill your insurance for office visits, vaccines, bloodwork and any additional medical services.
Yes, for medical services.
We will bill your insurance for medical services. You must pay the annual program fee out of pocket.
No.
No.
- What is the physician availability?
- What happens if my physician is on vacation or not working?
- How accessible will my physician be?
- What if I need to speak with my physician after business hours?
- Will my physician be available to me while I am traveling?
- Can I transfer my care to another physician within the practice after I sign up?
Our goal is to see patients within one business day for urgent matters. Contact our physicians any time using MyNM, our patient portal.
We will assign a physician to cover for your physician. They can see you and respond to your MyNM messages, and they will receive your urgent calls outside of business hours.
You will have access to your physician via MyNM, email or phone.
If you prefer to contact us by phone, you can call between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Outside those hours, you can call us and the 24-hour answering service will connect you with your physician.
Please call the office for urgent requests. The answering service will connect you with your physician.
Yes. You will have access to our team via email, phone and MyNM while you are away. We also offer phone and telehealth visits.
We do our best to accommodate transfer requests when possible. We handle them on a case-by-case basis. If you ever have concerns about your physician or your care, please contact us and ask to speak with a manager.
- Can I see a specialist?
- What if I need specialty care?
- Do members get faster access to specialty appointments?
Yes. Our scheduling coordinators can help you do this.
Our scheduling coordinators can help you coordinate care.
No. We try to streamline access, but we can't guarantee a sooner appointment at a specialty clinic.
- What are the benefits of concierge medicine?
As a member, you have direct access to your physician. They will work to understand your lifestyle and health history. This will help them guide you on every step of your health and wellness journey.
A membership includes:
- Comprehensive care
- Lifestyle and wellness assessments
- Personalized treatment and research information
- Access to your physician and care team via a direct phone line and email address
- Visits that last 45 to 120 minutes
- Little or no wait times for scheduled appointments
- Same- or next-office-day urgent appointments
- Discounted fees for select services that are not typically covered by insurance
- Care coordination and logistical support
- Is the membership fee tax-deductible?
- Do I have to pay the membership fee even if I do not use the services during that year?
- How does the membership fee apply to family members?
- Can I use my flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) to pay for the membership fee?
Please consult a tax expert.
Yes.
You must pay the membership fee for each person, such as your children and spouse.
Please contact your FSA or HSA provider for more information.
- Can I enroll my children or spouse?
- How do I enroll?
- Who may benefit from concierge medicine?
- Do I need to leave the primary care physician practice that I use now if I see a concierge medicine doctor for primary care?
- Can I cancel?
- Can I get a refund if I cancel?
- Can I pause my membership if I do not live in Chicago year-round?
- Can I participate in the Northwestern Medicine Executive Health Program and the Northwestern Medicine Human Longevity Clinic while I have a concierge physician?
- Can I get a refund if I move out of Illinois?
Yes, dependents and spouses can enroll. We offer a special dependent rate for children and spouses. One parent must be a member for dependents to qualify for the dependent rate.
Before you enroll, you complete a meet-and-greet with your physician.
To enroll, please email us at ppcenrollment@nm.org. One of our coordinators can help get you started.
- People who want more personalized, in-depth care. Our visits are longer than typical primary care appointments.
- People who have chronic conditions that require a higher level of care.
- People with unpredictable schedules. We can provide same-day or next-business-day appointments.
- People who value convenience and ease of care.
Your concierge physician will become your primary care physician. You do not need to have another primary care physician.
Yes. Please call us to cancel your membership.
Yes. Refunds are based on a required 30-day cancellation notice. Your refund will begin the first full month after the 30-day notice period ends.
No. The membership fee is for the entire year. You will have access to our team via MyNM while you are away. We also offer phone and telehealth visits.
Yes, if you enroll in multiple programs.
Yes. You will be refunded on a prorated basis if you cancel your membership.