In today’s fast-paced healthcare system, many patients feel like just another number—rushed through appointments, waiting weeks for follow-ups, and struggling to establish a meaningful relationship with their doctor. This frustration has led many physicians, including Dr. Jill Waggoner, to turn to concierge medicine, a patient-centered approach that prioritizes time, accessibility, and personalized care.
“I had been in family practice for 25 years, managing between 6,000 to 8,000 patients,” said Dr. Waggoner. “That’s too many people. After doing that for so long, I wanted to spend more time with my patients and provide a different kind of care.”
As the demands of traditional practice took a toll, Dr. Waggoner transitioned to concierge medicine, a model that allowed her to slow down, foster deeper relationships with her patients, and offer a truly customized healthcare experience.
What is Concierge Medicine?
Concierge medicine is a membership-based healthcare model where patients pay an annual or monthly fee in exchange for enhanced medical care and direct access to their physician. Unlike traditional healthcare settings—where doctors often juggle thousands of patients—concierge medicine limits patient loads, allowing for extended appointments, same-day visits, and a more tailored approach to treatment.
According to Dr. Waggoner, some concierge physicians in the Dallas-Fort Worth area cap their practice at just 50 patients, ensuring exceptional care and availability. Her practice, however, follows a hybrid concierge model, integrating insurance to reduce out-of-pocket costs for certain standard services.
“We have a monthly fee, but we still use patients’ insurance when possible,” Dr. Waggoner explained. “This way, they don’t have to pay extra for covered services like Pap smears or preventive appointments, making it more affordable.”
A report from Partner MD states that a typical concierge practice has a patient panel of 400-600 and sees about 6-10 patients per day.
The Cost of Concierge Medicine
While concierge medicine offers many benefits, it comes with a hefty price tag. Partner MD reports that membership fees generally range from $2,000 to $5,000 annually, with rates in larger markets reaching as high as $10,000 per year.
These fees grant exclusive benefits such as:
- · Same-day appointments
- · Extended one-hour visits
- · 24/7 direct access to a physician
“When my patients call after hours, they don’t go through a service—they call me directly,” said Dr. Waggoner. “I know each of my patients personally. There’s no rushed 15-minute slot. I have the time to create a real healthcare plan tailored to their needs.”
However, this level of care comes at a cost that some patients struggle to afford.
Emily Blue, a teacher in the Irving Independent School District (IISD), had been Dr. Waggoner’s patient for 12 years before she switched to concierge medicine.
“I understood why she made the change, but for me, it was heartbreaking,” Blue said. “As an educator, I couldn’t justify the monthly membership fee, which was between $200 and $300 at the time.”
Dr. Jill Waggoner is offering her patients a more personalized and intimate healthcare experience through concierge medicine.
A More Personalized Approach to Care
For many primary care physicians, concierge medicine represents a return to patient-focused care.
A study by the National Institutes of Health analyzing 21 million outpatient visits found that the median wait time for patients was over four minutes, with 20% of visits exceeding 20 minutes and 10% lasting over 30 minutes. Concierge medicine eliminates long waits and impersonal visits.
“When patients walk into my office, they don’t even get a chance to put their bag down—we see them immediately,” Dr. Waggoner said. “We already know their medical history, their family, their unique health needs. It’s healthcare the way it was meant to be.”
The market for concierge medicine is expanding rapidly. According to Precedence Research, growth is driven by:
- · An aging population
- · The rising prevalence of chronic diseases
- · A shortage of physicians
- · Longer patient wait times in traditional practices
While Blue misses the personal touch that Dr. Waggoner provided, she acknowledges the financial barriers to concierge care.
“There has to be a balance,” said Blue. “I understand doctors are overworked, but they should find ways to reduce membership fees so more people can access this level of care.”
Balancing Personal Care in an Insurance-Based System
While concierge medicine offers personalized attention, some traditional medical practices are striving to provide similar benefits within an insurance-based model.
Dr. Chrisette Dharma, medical director of Southwest Family Medicine Associates (SFMA), believes her practice offers an affordable balance between concierge and traditional medicine.
“There are 12 female providers in our practice, which means wait times aren’t as bad,” said Dr. Dharma. “Because we’re a large group, we can offer same-day walk-in urgent care visits.”
SFMA’s 12 physicians serve between 5,000 and 7,000 patients.
“One thing to consider when choosing a doctor is availability. If there’s only one doctor, you might have to wait a month for an appointment, which leads people to concierge medicine,” said Dr. Dharma. “But in a group practice like ours, we work as a team and have access to each other’s patient records, ensuring continuity of care.”
Although SFMA is an insurance-based practice, they also allow cash payments for uninsured patients.
“I believe we provide the same personal care that concierge medicine offers,” said Dr. Dharma. “We manage conditions like blood pressure and diabetes, but the time per visit is limited to about 20 minutes.”
Dr. Dharma acknowledges that time limitations may mean longer wait times or more frequent follow-ups.
“My patients have my cell number, so they have direct access to me,” she said. “But if they’re having an issue, they still need to come in—I can’t just call in a prescription without seeing them.”
The Future of Concierge Medicine
As the demand for personalized healthcare grows, concierge medicine is expected to reshape the way medical care is delivered.
“I think patients want medicine that is personal. Otherwise, they’d just go to an urgent care facility,” said Dr. Waggoner. “Concierge medicine is going to grow. Over time, there will definitely be two classes of healthcare—one for those who can afford it and another for those in the traditional system.”
According to Towards Healthcare, the concierge medicine market is projected to reach $20.51 billion by 2025 and $31.35 billion in the U.S. by 2030.
While Dr. Dharma supports doctors who transition to concierge care, she remains concerned about accessibility.
“I understand why physicians choose concierge medicine, but it’s an unfortunate necessity for those who can’t afford it,” she said. “The healthcare system is broken, and we need solutions that work for everyone—not just those who can pay the price.”
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