A concierge fee is the membership fee you pay a concierge doctor for direct access to your physician. It is paid to the practice, not your insurance company, and it covers your ongoing relationship with your doctor rather than individual visits.
If you have seen the term on a doctor's website or in a letter from your current physician, this post explains what the fee pays for, what it usually costs in Tampa Bay and what it does not cover.
Concierge Fee Meaning
In medicine, a concierge fee is also called a membership fee, retainer fee or access fee. They all mean the same thing: a set monthly or annual payment that reserves your place on a doctor's small patient panel.
The fee exists because concierge doctors care for far fewer patients than traditional practices. A traditional primary care doctor may have 2,000 to 3,000 patients. A concierge doctor usually has a few hundred. The membership fee replaces the revenue the doctor gives up by seeing fewer people, and that is what makes longer visits and same-day access possible.
You may also see "concierge fee" used by hotels, apartment buildings and delivery services. Those are unrelated. This post is only about concierge medicine.
What the Concierge Fee Covers
Every practice sets its own membership, so always ask for the specific list. In general, the fee covers access, time and attention from your physician. At Olympic Concierge Medicine, the Gold Membership includes:
A 1:1 relationship with a board-certified physician by phone, text, telehealth, in the office or at home
In-depth, unhurried physical exams
An annual exam and unlimited follow-up visits
Preventive medicine and robust lab panels
Advanced biomarker labs and a review of your results
Care for general and urgent medical issues
Prescriptions and imaging sent to local partners
Diet and nutrition evaluation
Monthly check-ins and wearable data analysis
Travel medicine consultation
The Executive Membership adds a written longevity roadmap, home visits and the option to have Dr. Burkholder accompany you to specialist or hospital visits.
What the Concierge Fee Does Not Cover
This is where most confusion comes from. The concierge fee pays for your doctor's time and access. It does not replace health insurance. You still need insurance for:
Specialist visits
Hospital stays and surgery
Emergency room care
Imaging such as MRI, CT and X-ray
Many lab tests processed by outside labs
Prescription medications
Some practices also charge separately for specific services. At Olympic, house calls are included with the Executive Membership and available to other members at an added rate. There is also a one-time $100 registration fee when you enroll.
How Much Do Concierge Doctors Charge?
In Tampa Bay, concierge fees commonly run between $300 and $700 per month. Around $500 per month is typical. Nationally, the range is wider, and some high-end practices charge several thousand dollars per month.
What moves the price up or down:
How small the panel is. Fewer patients per doctor usually means a higher fee and faster access.
What is included. Home visits, advanced testing and longevity planning add cost.
Who is covered. Some practices offer family or couple pricing.
How you pay. Some practices discount an annual payment compared to monthly.
When you compare practices, compare what is included, not just the monthly number. A lower fee with frequent add-on charges can cost more over a year than a higher fee that includes most of what you use.
Is the Concierge Fee Covered by Insurance?
No. The fee is paid directly to the practice and is not billed to insurance. Most members keep their insurance plan for everything listed above and use the concierge practice for their day-to-day care.
Some members pay the fee with HSA, FSA or HRA funds. Olympic's fees are designed to qualify as medical expenses for pre-tax and employer funding options, but rules depend on your plan. Check with your plan coordinator or tax advisor before you count on it.
Is a Concierge Fee Worth It?
The fee makes the most sense when you will actually use the access. If you manage a chronic condition, have a demanding schedule, travel often or want a doctor focused on prevention, the time you save adds up quickly.
If you are healthy and see a doctor once a year, the fee may be hard to justify. We cover both sides in Pros and Cons of Concierge Medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a concierge fee the same as a copay?
No. A copay is a per-visit charge set by your insurance plan. A concierge fee is a membership paid to the practice that covers ongoing access, regardless of how many visits you have.
Is the concierge fee paid monthly or yearly?
It depends on the practice. Many offer monthly payments, and some offer a discount for paying annually.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
Policies vary, so read the membership agreement. At Olympic Concierge Medicine, there is a 3-month minimum, and after that you can cancel anytime with 30 days notice.
Do I need insurance to join a concierge practice?
Olympic does not require insurance to join, but we strongly recommend keeping a plan for labs, imaging, hospital care, specialists and medications.
In Summary
A concierge fee is a membership payment that gives you direct access to your doctor, longer visits and a focus on prevention. In Tampa Bay it usually runs $300 to $700 per month, and it works alongside your health insurance, not in place of it.
Before you join any practice, ask for the full list of what the fee includes and what costs extra. You can see what each of our memberships includes on the Gold Membership page or read our FAQ. Have questions about your own health? Start with a consultation by calling or texting (813) 670-8915.