7 minute read
A STUNNING SEA-FRONT
on the Amalfi Coast
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Situated at the mouth of the Valle dei Mulini, Amalfi enjoys a rich tradition as the first of Italy’s Four Maritime Republics. A curving, scenic highway renowned as one of the most beautiful roads in Italy follows the coastline’s natural course and features spectacular views of rock and sea cliffs. The towns along the Amalfi Coast are graced with stunning homes that cling to the rock and connect via covered alleys and stairways.
One spectacular villa that overlooks the Amalfi Coast’s rocks is a historical estate that dates back to the 18th century. Its current owners restored the seven-bedroom, eight-bathroom home while maintaining its original features. The estate features three floors, each with a charming view of the sea and Positano’s bay.
The main floor is home to a bright living room with big windows and a special suite highlighting the Montgolfier brothers, inventors of the hot air balloon. This level also features a panoramic terrace that serves as a breathtaking spot to enjoy the view of the surroundings. A charming staircase then leads to a sleeping area with four seaview bedrooms balconies overlooking the terrace. Suites feature frescoed domes with original paintings, charming marble fireplaces, doors painted by artists of the School of Naples, and tiled floors with ceramic decorations.
The Romeo and Juliet suite is situated on the lower floor and has private access as well as a charming balcony overlooking the sea and the Afroditis swimming pool, which is complete with a sunbathing area, showers, a bar and changing rooms.
The estate is surrounded by grounds featuring a luxurious garden and olive trees typical of the Campania region. Besides its priceless setting, this exclusive villa also features a 360-degree view of lovely landscapes and even the Island of Capri.
A Stunning Sea-Front Villa Sea-Front Villa
THE VILLA IS CURRENTLY FOR SALE A N D P O T E N T I A L B U Y E R S M A Y R E Q U E S T I N F O R M A T I O N A T WWW.LIONARD.COM/SEA-FRONT-VILLA-FORSALE-AMALFI-COAST.HTML
Why Family Offices Choose Concierge Medicine
BY SARA O’BOYLE
In today’s traditional medical setting, physicians find themselves spending less time on direct patient care and more time meeting tedious documentation deadlines for insurance and government related orders. As a result, physicians and patients alike feel frustrated from the lack of time and frequency with one another to better treat and prevent illnesses. The healthcare industry is no stranger to breakthrough medical innovations—from the development of new antibiotics, perfecting life-saving surgeries and now, new medical delivery models with an emphasis on patient satisfaction such as concierge medicine.
Concierge medicine, also known as boutique medicine or retainer-based medicine has grown and evolved over the last 25 years into a trusted healthcare alternative to better meet the needs of both doctors and patients willing to make the switch. Concierge Choice Physicians, the second largest concierge care medical practice, recently released a survey which revealed a whopping 98 percent of patients felt more satisfied with the communication, access and relationship with their concierge physician. Below are some of the reasons we see family offices joining this revolutionary healthcare model.
Concierge care incites stronger, trust-based physician-patient relationships.
Boutique medicine has succeeded due to superior patient satisfaction among its members. A new level of trust is developed between doctor and patient due to the more 2.
intimate settings, such as the patient’s own house and of course, the time spent together which is not present within traditional offices. One of the largest benefits of concierge care is round-the-clock accessibility of physicians. Due to their smaller patient panels, concierge doctors spend more one-on-one time with patients as well as more time scanning their charts and history to become true experts on their health and family history. “Whereas a traditional practice may have 2,000+ patients, concierge practices typically have a total patient panel of 400-500 and as a result, these doctors see much less patients on the daily,” explains Dr. Tarah Freyman of Balda Health. “I block off about an hour of time for each patient whether they’re coming into my office or I’m heading to them for a house visit.”
“My patients are like family to me,” explains Dr. Laura Balda of Balda Health. After-hour and weekend access, home visits, and telemedicine features make for closer relationships, resulting in greater peace of mind for patients. Physicians are available via email, text, video conferencing and phone calls on the patients’ whim for any medical needs, questions, or concerns. Appointments can be made within hours of request and annual check-ups can last anywhere from an hour to two hours long. Concierge physicians have the time and funds available to provide these specialized services while patients reap the benefits of their retainer.
The retainer-based model is cohesive, smart, and financially efficient.
In the concierge care model, patients pay a monthly or annual flat membership retainer fee in advance for medical service. According to the American Academy of Private
Physicians (AARP), this rate fluctuates anywhere from $1,500 to $25,000 a year. When concierge care was first introduced in the mid-1990’s, the rates were much more exclusive. With time and advancement, concierge care is becoming more affordable as more plan options are made available.
The retainer fee does not replace health insurance – emergency room visits, out-of-network care and specialist visits are not included, but the goal of concierge medicine is to treat issues before they develop into needing any of the prior mentioned. The concierge model has shown to be efficient in a mutually beneficial fashion for patient and physicians alike. Physicians can see fewer patients for larger amounts of time, resulting in lower burnout rates and better functioning practices while patients benefit from the personalized, comprehensive care.
Retainer-based care is the future of telemedicine and IoT-devices, which allow for an increase in preventative care.
IoT devices have transformed many fields of study, especially that of healthcare. From glucose monitors, electrocardiograms, and even devices such as Fit Bits, these devices are connected to physicians’ own personal technologies to better monitor their patients in a concierge care practice.
Noel Guilliama, founder of OXIO Health, believes the future of telemedicine lies within the concierge medicine model. “The aggregation of concierge medicine will be augmented by telemedicine – by using IoT devices, which allow data to be captured and stored.” Data is stockpiled into a large file, making the patients’ history more revealing in possible underlying issues, diseases, and illness before they become worse. This is also helpful for those who are healthy but wish to keep an extra eye on their health.
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Telemedicine allows physicians to teleconference with their patients from the comfort of their own homes. Private platforms are used so HIPAA regulation is not compromised. The patient can use any mobile device available to them, eliminating the need for a trip to the office and saves them the wait time. Some concierge physicians also include more advanced telemedicine practices, which include abilities to monitor patients’ vital signs and share x-rays among other tests seamlessly and easily – all remotely. The ability to access this data at any time for long periods of time allows for concierge medicine to continue to provide preventative rather than reactive care.
It is the safest option for primary care in a post-COVID world.
Conventional physician practices have been marked by despair amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. The impact of coronavirus continues to unravel today. Masks and social distancing techniques are going to be around indefinitely. In the meantime, families continue to seek ways to stay smart about their exposure in these unsure times, especially among those with members aged 65+.
Boutique medicine is expected to climb in the next few years, in fact, Mr. Guilliama states “Concierge medicine and the post-COVID world shows a positive correlation – they’ll be working hand-in-hand.” It is a risk now to walk into a hospital, let alone stay and be treated in one. Procedures and medicine often given in a hospital setting can now be done in the patients’ home, avoidant of any unnecessary exposure to the virus. This is especially helpful for the elderly and those made vulnerable by diseases that render them immunocompromised.
As today’s telemedicine environment continues to grow and become a new normal, concierge medicine is expected to continue to expand alongside it. Countless family offices feel their transition has changed their medical experiences for the better in that they receive preventative, customized care and feel more important to their physician. Concierge care is an evolutionary medicine for those willing to invest in their most important asset, their health.
