5 Patient Benefits of Concierge Medicine

Do you feel frustrated with how primary care works? Between your insurance company, your pharmacy, and all of the accompanying copays, deductibles, networks, and on and on, navigating care for something as simple as a seasonal cold or allergies can be daunting.

Dr. Richard Steslow and our staff at South Naperville Family Practice understand the feeling all too well, and we share your frustration. That’s why we offer concierge medicine. 

Concierge medicine is a service that allows you to pay a quarterly fee to our office for a higher level of access and service than you get through your insurance company. Here are five benefit upgrades you gain through concierge medicine. 

1. Concierge medicine is tailored to you

One of the most important benefits of concierge medicine is that our staff gets to know you on a more personal level than we can when you come in for a 10-minute physical once each year. Dr. Steslow discusses your medical history in detail, so he thoroughly understands any chronic conditions you have. He also works to understand your daily habits and goals so he can build a plan for you to optimize your health. 

Whether you need nutritional counseling, advice on how to manage a condition such as heart disease or thyroid disorder, or any other concern, our staff spends the time with you to answer all of your questions. As you begin to implement the plan you and Dr. Steslow design, we help you overcome any barriers and make adjustments as you need them. 

2. More access to care

Have you ever waited for days or weeks for an appointment? In concierge medicine, you get same-day or next-day appointments. Additionally, those appointments last longer, so you have time to ask questions and get answers. 

In addition to quicker appointments, you have 24-hour cell phone access to our staff. This means that if you have a question on a Friday evening, you don’t need to wait until Monday morning to get an answer. 

Perhaps even more importantly, if it’s medically appropriate, a member of our staff will provide a house call. That’s right — we come to you when necessary! 

3. Some tests are included

Along with personalized care and expanded access to our staff, many routine tests are included with concierge medicine. For example, each year, you get an electrocardiogram (EKG) and advanced blood testing to make sure your health is on track. You won’t need to worry about copays, coinsurance, or office fees for those tests, either. 

Our practice regularly hosts nutritional and educational seminars, and you receive free admission to those, as well. 

4. Counseling to meet your needs

Nearly everyone needs the benefit of health counseling. Since more than 2 in 5 Americans fall into the obese category, weight-loss counseling is popular among our concierge patients. We also offer nutritional counseling to help you meet your body’s needs healthfully. 

Even if you exercise regularly and eat an appropriate diet, you likely have questions. Should you consider switching from running to a lower-impact form of exercise? Do you need to move to a more plant-based diet? 

For those who have chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, thyroid disorder, arthritis, or diabetes, to name just a few, counseling is tailored to helping you manage your condition so you can live an active and happy life. 

5. You have an advocate within the health care system

Right now, more than ever before, having someone to answer your questions and help you navigate the world of health care is critically important. When you have a close relationship with your provider, and they understand your health care needs clearly, you have a medical advocate. 

We’re proud that we know our patients, and that we can provide the highest level of service. If you’d like to learn more about our concierge medicine program, contact our Aurora, Illinois, office. Call us at 630-296-6019 and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. You can also send a message to Dr. Steslow and the team here on our website.