TAKING CARE

Vuong says. “Before, I had 15 minutes to see a patient, which meant I had to chart after hours and basically run from room to room and throw BandAids at people. I like that now I get to take time to get to the root cause of a problem and treat it, not just cover it with a Band-Aid.”

Though he admits the idea of patients being able to contact him around the clock was daunting, he soon realized, “As it turns out, if you can take care of a problem in a timely manner during the day, almost nobody abuses the system and calls you at 2 a.m.”

“And if someone does call at 2 a.m. and says they think they’re having a stroke or a heart attack, we’re able to tell them to hang up and call 911,” Tepper says. “You’re not getting a call back in a few hours, you’re getting me right then. New patients are always surprised when I pick up the phone.”

Physicians Find Concierge Medicine Works For Many

It’s 7 p.m., most doctors’ offices are closed, and you have a medical concern. You call your physician and who picks up? Your physician. In a brief conversation, he tells you what to do. You hang up feeling informed and reassured.