Concierge medicine is a care model where you pay a membership fee to receive enhanced access to medical care from a dedicated physician. Our physicians have Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degrees, and they are board-certified in either internal medicine or family medicine.
Insurance
- 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?
The membership program involves:
- An annual membership fee
- Fees for medical services
Insurance does not cover the annual membership fee. You pay this out of pocket. Fees for medical services are billed to your insurance. Your regular insurance terms will apply, including co-payments, coinsurance and deductibles.
Yes, for medical services.
We will bill your insurance for any medical services. You must pay the annual program fee out of pocket.
No.
Physician Availability
- What is the physician availability?
- What happens if my physician is on vacation or unavailable?
- 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 when 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 1 business day for urgent matters. You may contact our physicians at any time via phone or by 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.
You will have access to your physician via MyNM, email or phone call.
If you prefer to contact us by phone, you can call between 8 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday, to reach your physician. Outside of those hours, you can call us and the 24-hour answering service will connect you with your physician for urgent matters.
Please call the office. The answering service will connect you with your physician for urgent requests.
Yes. You will have access to our team while you are away via MyNM. 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.
Specialists
- Can I see a specialist?
- What if I need specialty care?
- Do members get faster access to specialty appointments?
Yes. Our scheduling coordinators will help you coordinate with specialists.
Our scheduling coordinators can help you coordinate with specialists.
No. We have a network of contacts that we work with to try to streamline access, but we cannot guarantee a sooner appointment at a specialty clinic.
Benefits
- What are the benefits of concierge medicine?
As a member, you will have direct access to a highly attentive primary care physician. Your physician will take steps to deeply understand your lifestyle and health history so they can help guide you on every step of your health and wellness journey.
A membership includes:
- Comprehensive internal medicine 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 30 to 120 minutes
- Little or no wait times for scheduled appointments
- Same- or next-office day urgent appointments
- Discounted fees for select internal medicine services that are not typically covered by insurance
- Care coordination and logistical support
Membership Fees
- 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 fees?
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.
Membership
- 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?
- 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 Human Longevity Lab at Northwestern Medicine while I have a concierge physician?
- Can I get a refund if I move out of Illinois?
Yes, dependents and spouses can enroll. At least one parent must be enrolled for dependents to qualify for the dependent rate.
Before you enroll, you can complete an optional meet-and-greet with your physician. It is not required.
To enroll, please email us at ppcenrollment@nm.org. One of our coordinators can help get you started.
- People who want more personalized care. Our visits are longer than typical primary care appointments.
- People who have long-term conditions that require a higher level of care.
- People with unpredictable schedules. We can provide same-day or next-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, we offer prorated refunds on a quarterly basis.
No. The membership fee is for the entire year. You will have access to our team while you are away via MyNM. 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.