You're tired of rushed 15-minute appointments where your doctor barely makes eye contact. You're frustrated by waiting weeks to get seen, then sitting in a crowded waiting room for an hour past your scheduled time. You want a physician who actually knows your health history, responds to messages, and is available when issues arise — not just when the schedule allows.

Concierge medicine offers this model: smaller patient panels, longer appointments, same-day access, and 24/7 physician availability. But it comes with annual membership fees ranging from $2,000 to $10,000+ on top of your insurance. This guide explains what concierge medicine actually delivers, how pricing works in Los Angeles, and whether the investment makes sense for your situation. Our concierge medicine service at Elevate Health Group provides premium access at our Glendale, Burbank, and La Cañada locations.

What Concierge Medicine Actually Means

Concierge medicine (also called retainer-based medicine or boutique medicine) operates on a membership model. You pay an annual fee — typically $1,500 to $10,000 — for enhanced access to your primary care physician. This fee covers services traditional insurance doesn't: extended appointment times, same-day visits, 24/7 physician availability, and comprehensive preventive care.

You still need health insurance. Concierge fees don't replace insurance. You still need coverage for hospital stays, specialist care, imaging, surgeries, and prescriptions. The concierge fee buys you premium access to your primary care doctor.

What concierge medicine typically includes:

• Drastically smaller patient panels (300–600 patients vs 2,000–3,000 in traditional practices)
• Same-day or next-day appointments guaranteed
• Longer appointment times (30–60 minutes vs 10–15 minutes)
• 24/7 direct physician access (cell phone, text, email)
• Comprehensive annual physicals (60–90 minutes)
• Minimal to no wait times
• Coordination of all specialist care
• Executive health assessments

Our board-certified physicians maintain concierge-level panel sizes while also accepting patients through traditional insurance models.

Concierge Medicine Pricing in Los Angeles

What drives price variation:

• Physician credentials and specialization
• Panel size (smaller = more expensive)
• Geographic location (West LA/Beverly Hills cost more)
• Included services beyond office visits
• Technology integration and communication tools

At Elevate Health Group, our concierge medicine pricing includes comprehensive preventive care, same-day access, and physician-coordinated at-home visits when needed.

What Concierge Medicine Delivers

Guaranteed same-day access: When you're sick, you get seen that day — not in 3 weeks.

Extended appointment times: 30–60 minutes per visit allows thorough discussion and comprehensive care. No rushing.

24/7 physician availability: Direct cell phone or secure messaging to your doctor — nights and weekends.

Comprehensive preventive care: Annual physicals lasting 60–90 minutes with advanced screening. Our preventive medicine service provides this depth.

Minimal wait times: Concierge practices typically run on time because smaller panels allow proper scheduling.

Care coordination: Your concierge doctor coordinates all specialists, reviews all test results, and ensures continuity.

Advanced diagnostics: Some concierge practices include VO2 max testing, early cancer detection, and comprehensive lab panels.

Who Benefits Most from Concierge Medicine

Busy executives: Time is your scarcest resource. Same-day access and extended hours justify the cost.

People with complex health needs: Multiple chronic conditions requiring frequent care coordination benefit from physician availability.

Frequent travelers: 24/7 physician access provides peace of mind when traveling for business.

Those who value prevention: Comprehensive annual physicals and proactive health optimization align with your priorities.

Anyone frustrated with traditional primary care: If you're tired of rushed visits and poor access, concierge medicine solves both.

What Concierge Medicine Doesn't Cover

• Hospital care: You still need insurance for ER visits, surgeries, and inpatient stays
• Specialist visits: Dermatology, cardiology, orthopedics — these require insurance or out-of-pocket payment
• Prescription medications: Your insurance covers prescriptions; concierge fees don't
• Advanced imaging: MRI, CT scans, PET scans require insurance authorization
• Lab testing: Basic preventive labs are often included, but specialized testing goes through insurance

How to Choose a Concierge Medicine Doctor in LA

Verify credentials: Board certification in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine. Check the Medical Board of California for disciplinary history.

Understand panel size: Smaller panels (300–500 patients) provide better access than larger ones (800–1,000).

Clarify what's included: Get a detailed breakdown of services covered by the annual fee vs what's billed to insurance.

Ask about physician availability: Is it truly 24/7 access to your doctor, or is it a nurse triage line?

Meet the doctor: Most concierge practices offer consultations before you commit.

Our general medicine physicians provide concierge-level care with transparent pricing.

Conclusion

Concierge medicine delivers premium access, extended appointments, and 24/7 physician availability — solving the biggest frustrations of traditional primary care. For busy professionals, executives, and those with complex health needs, the annual fee provides value through time savings, better health outcomes, and peace of mind.

At Elevate Health Group, our concierge medicine service provides executive-level preventive care at our three LA-area locations. Our board-certified physicians maintain small panel sizes and offer same-day access, comprehensive physicals, and coordinated care.

Schedule a consultation or learn more about our concierge medicine program.

Frequently Asked Questions