https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:56:02 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367742 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 00:54:55 +0000 anonysquire 2367742@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! I love our ped. And there's not a whole lot of doctors that are willing to deal with alternative vaccination schedules so I'd pay her for that alone. Plus all that other stuff you mentioned. 2 months of home visits??? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367716 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 23:49:00 +0000 Oxana 2367716@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Whoa. I would never visit a doctor that had an energy healer or acupuncturist in their clinic, even if they were free. :shocked: Huge red flag for me. It would be like NASA hiring a team of astrologers to advise them on the best times to send up space missions. One is a hard science, one is not.</p> <p>A membership fee implies that you are paying up front for services rendered. When you join a gym, you pay a membership fee so that you have access to their services--which are mostly free, with the exception of specialty services (yoga class, personal trainer, etc.). What exactly are you getting with a doctor membership? As far as I know, nothing. Just the privilege of being able to pay for each and every service down the road. There's no service included. So I think calling it a membership is a misnomer. I also worry that the price might keep hiking up. </p> <p>Also, there's a concern that doctors are overpaid as it is: <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/02/american_doctors_are_overpaid_medicare_is_cheaper_than_private_insurance.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.slate.com/articles/business/moneybox/2013/02/american_doctors_are_overpaid_medicare_is_cheaper_than_private_insurance.html</a></p> <p>About 22% of doctors are in the 1% of most wealthy people in the country, and the other 78% aren't too far behind. There are a lot of things wrong with our healthcare system, but doctors are not so bad off that they need to bill patients an extra $75 just to have the privilege of seeing them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367713 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 23:35:10 +0000 gracecat 2367713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For that kind of service I would! For regular doctors no... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367436 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 18:19:56 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2367436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In your situation, I would for sure!!</p> <p>I'd have to weigh my options for my doctor. I ADORE my doctor (family practice as well, so both J and I see her), but she only works 3x week, and often takes 1 week to respond to emails. I never get same-day sick visits with her, but I typically can with one of her colleagues. For $50-$75/year, that's not terrible. But my doctor is already out of network, so I already pay quite a bit just to see her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367432 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 18:12:12 +0000 honeybear 2367432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For $50, yes, because I spent quite a lot of time finding a doctor and staff who I trust and who take hygiene sufficiently seriously. But no matter how much I like them, I would not want hour-long well visits! That's sort of my idea of hell... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367423 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:53:45 +0000 Mrs. Tiger 2367423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd pay double this to D's specialty GI docs if it meant they'd be responsive via email! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367417 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:42:07 +0000 petunia354 2367417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My parents pay $2000 for each of them for a concierge style practice. I'd say $50 is a bargain! Especially for those early newborn days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367413 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:34:39 +0000 Bao 2367413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in love with my doctor, so if he had those services then probably. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367409 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:32:33 +0000 littlejoy 2367409@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@wheres_c: That's a great point!!! Well visits with our doctor are an hour long. It's great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367387 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:09:20 +0000 wheres_c 2367387@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My doctor charges a $200 annual fee per family member. I consider it will worth it for the long visits I get. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367375 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:01:28 +0000 Meridian 2367375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>$50 - 75 per year for those services?? Heck yea!! </p> <p>Our PCP, who we really liked, stopped taking insurance entirely and switched to a "membership" plan... $3,000 per person per year. (I think there was a slight discount for a couple, maybe $4K or $5K) Ouch. Switched to a different doctor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor/page/2#post-2367361 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:48:37 +0000 Modern Daisy 2367361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It depends. I keep getting solicitations from "one medical" a chain of healthcare groups that claim to do same day appointments and always be available for an annual fee. But my current doctors already do that.. So I wouldn't switch to pay more and get the same thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367353 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:42:35 +0000 mediagirl 2367353@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Absolutely not. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367327 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:25:20 +0000 HLK208 2367327@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Definitely. I can never get ahold of my doctor and the nurse's hotline always gives me the same answer: go to urgent care or the ER. It's so frustrating when my doctor knows my history and can call in a prescription. For example, when I had mastitis, I called the nurse's hotline and they told me to go to the ER. I was 2 weeks pp, I couldn't leave my EBF baby alone for that long. I waited until the morning to call my doctor and he said it was definitely mastitis and called in an antibiotic. I switched doctors for other reasons and I can never talk to them over the phone. I love personalized care so if I had to pay a little extra, I would. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367326 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:24:34 +0000 littlejoy 2367326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sapphire: I'm thinking she's going to hire an assistant (on top of her medical assistant that is currently doing so much admin work). I'd happily pay that fee each year if it means my doctor and her team can focus more on the care of their patients. :) Your perspective is awesome. </p> <p>@avivoca: I agree. There's a doctor in town (with a 7 year wait list -- I'm not kidding) who only does housecalls. He's amazing, and wears flannel and has a handsome beard, lol. I see our market demanding this kind of care (we have a high volume of midwives who offer home visits, and I see that translating into people wanting the same from a primary care provider). Our doctor usually coaches me through illnesses over the phone, because I hate dragging LO in, but the last time she had a 5 day fever, she offered to come to our house to see LO after she was done at her clinic that day. We opted for ZoomCare since we could get an immediate appt., but that level of care was much appreciated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367313 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:15:11 +0000 avivoca 2367313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: I just looked it up and concierge services in my city range from $1500 per person/year to $4200 per person/year. I wish more doctors could go back to making house calls because the last thing I want to do when I'm sick or LO is sick is drag us to the doctor. However, I can't afford those prices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367310 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:14:59 +0000 sapphire 2367310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs.Someone: It's not like that money is going directly into her pocket book.</p> <p>Insurance companies pay clinics NOTHING for phone calls, emails, reviewing test results and yet this is a TON of what a medical provider does. And patients are expecting more personalized services. This provider can probably spend more of her time doing home visits, personally calling her patients, etc by having that overhead paid. I think it's a crafty way to allow more personalized services at a nominal fee for the patient. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367305 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:12:29 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2367305@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't. We already pay enough with insurance, co-pays, etc. The doctor charging just for the privilege of being able to make an appointment with them just rubs me the wrong way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367275 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:52:04 +0000 littlejoy 2367275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.shinerbock: WHAT?! What does that even mean? $1,500 a year just to visit?? Do you still have to pay for visits, labs, etc.? I don't blame you for switching. Good luck finding a new provider!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367273 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:51:29 +0000 Mrs.Someone 2367273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Depends on the doctor, but I'd never be happy about it. Sounds greedy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367241 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:28:55 +0000 agold 2367241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would pay that to stay with a doctor who I love. I personally would really like a concierge doctor, but can't afford it at the time. $75 a year is a steal. I have a friend with one but she pays considerably more than that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367233 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:22:50 +0000 catomd00 2367233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes I do currently and it's worth the extra $100 a year for the expanded access and additional services you don't get elsewhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367227 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:20:02 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2367227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would for the situation you described. Mine sent out a letter last month that they are converting to a concierge service and it's $1500 per kid plus they will charge for wellness visits and such and will no longer be taking our insurance plan. Needless to say, we are changing doctors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367225 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:19:15 +0000 yoursilverlining 2367225@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For a normal doctor, probably not. Would I pay $50/year to have a doctor that made home visits and I could page 24/7? Totally!!! No question; sounds more like a fee for services rather than a "membership fee" IMO </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367222 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:17:29 +0000 travelgirl1 2367222@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would pay for the house calls alone! I would pay for mine, actually, I love her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367215 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:14:09 +0000 Greentea 2367215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@littlejoy: I was going to vote no until I read the entire post. In this case- YES! She does house calls and has a pager? Um, yes! No doctor here does that! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367207 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 15:09:29 +0000 blackbird 2367207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would for our pediatrician. She's way too awesome to fret over $150 a year. I think it's a tacky practice, though. It's very nickel and dime </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367180 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:44:05 +0000 Mrs. Carrot 2367180@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually just joined a practice that has a $200 membership fee (as my PCP, not pediatrics). My insurance pays the fee, so it's a no brainer, but I would have paid it anyway because I already love that they have 3 locations, early and late and weekend hours, phone and email consults, a lab that's accessible regularly for bloodwork and other tests, and it's incredibly easy to get a same day appointment. I've gone through a lot of practices that were a pain to work with, so I would definitely pay for extra services, especially at the low rate yours is offering. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367171 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:39:43 +0000 snowjewelz 2367171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would for yours! Seems like really great service included. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-you-pay-a-membership-fee-for-your-doctor#post-2367169 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 14:39:11 +0000 sunny 2367169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think it depends on the service level I can get from the doctor and the service level I could get from a different doctor. Right now, I am able to get call backs from my pediatrician and obgyn fairly quickly (within 2-4 hours) and I can use my insurance nurse line for general questions. Based on these alternatives, I probably wouldn't pay the extra fee for the concierge service with a family doctor. </p>