What Is Concierge Medicine?
Concierge medicine — sometimes called direct primary care or retainer-based medicine — is a primary-care delivery model in which patients pay an annual or monthly fee directly to their physician's practice in exchange for enhanced services. Typical features include 24/7 physician access, same-day or next-day appointments, longer visit times (30-60 minutes), and limited panel size (300-600 patients vs. 2,000+ in traditional practice).
How Florida Concierge Practices Operate
Florida concierge practices commonly fall into two structures:
- Insurance-billing concierge: patient pays the retainer AND insurance is billed for covered services. This is the most common model in Palm Beach County and other South Florida markets serving snowbirds and retirees.
- Cash-only direct primary care: patient pays a monthly membership; insurance is not billed for primary-care services. Specialists, hospitals, labs, and imaging may still be covered by the patient's insurance.
What Fees Typically Include
- Annual physical and preventive screening
- Same-day / next-day appointments
- Direct phone or text access to your physician
- Coordination of specialist care
- Extended visit times
- Some practices include basic in-office labs
What Fees Typically Do NOT Include
- Specialist visits and procedures
- Hospital care and surgery
- Outside lab and imaging fees
- Most prescription medications
- Mental-health and dental care
Annual Costs in Florida (2026)
Concierge retainer fees in Florida vary widely by practice tier:
- Entry-level direct primary care: $75-200 / month
- Mid-tier concierge: $1,500-5,000 / year
- Premium / executive concierge: $10,000-25,000+ / year
What to Evaluate Before Joining
- Physician's board certification and Florida license status (verify at flhealthsource.gov)
- Panel size — smaller panels mean more access
- What's included vs. extra-charge
- Hospital affiliations
- Telemedicine policy and snowbird coverage
- Cancellation and refund terms
Concierge Medicine vs. Traditional Primary Care
Traditional primary care in Florida typically operates on insurance reimbursement alone, with average panel sizes of 2,000+ patients per physician and 15-minute visit slots. Concierge medicine trades a higher direct cost for substantially more access and time. Whether the trade is worth it depends on the patient's complexity, schedule, and preference for relationship-driven care.
This guide is for informational purposes only and is not financial, legal, or medical advice. Verify any specific practice's terms in writing before joining.