Concierge Medicine - The Luxury of Time and Access

Author

NCH Healthcare Groups

For more information about the author, click to view their website: NCH Concierge Medicine

Posted on

May 13, 2024

Book/Edition

Florida - Southwest

share-this
Share This

Utilizing the services of an NCH concierge physician provides you with the luxuries of access and time. While all NCH physicians provide excellent medical care, concierge doctors are able to focus their services on a much smaller number of patients and take a deeper approach to their health.


Your concierge physician becomes, in effect, the quarterback of your healthcare team, and patients can reach the doctor on short notice in a way that is not possible in the traditional medical model. Concierge physicians offer their patients personalized care and direct access. In most cases patients are able to get in for an appointment the same day or next day. Additionally, if a patient has a healthcare issue or crisis, they have someone they can call. 


Patients who would like to see a concierge physician are charged an annual membership fee. This financial model allows the physician to focus their attention on a much smaller number of patients. Usually, the physician limits their patient load to about 300 patients per physician, versus 2,500 to 3,500 in traditional medicine.


The concierge model has proven popular in affluent Southwest Florida. Many NCH Concierge Medicine physicians have reached their practice’s maximum patient count and prospective members are added to a waitlist.


The newest addition to the Concierge Medicine team, Tameca Bakker, MD is currently accepting new patients. Tameca Bakker, MD also holds an MBA. Dr. Bakker works primarily at the Moorings Park Community location(s) in downtown Naples.


Dr. Bakker previously practiced as a hospitalist and is board-certified in internal medicine. She said she finds concierge medicine to be rewarding for the physician as well as the patient.


“The reason I went into concierge medicine was to have a better physician/patient relationship,” said Dr. Bakker. “Concierge medicine allows for ample time spent with patients to listen to their concerns, perform a thorough examination, diagnose and formulate and manage a plan of care with time for questions at the end of the visit. It’s a better way of practicing, taking medicine back to what it used to be. I give my personal cellphone to patients. I do courtesy hospital visits and even home visits – I take care of my patients. Even if you’re traveling, you can reach me from anywhere, and I can call a prescription in.”


As the “quarterback” of her patients’ medical team, Dr. Bakker coordinates with specialists including cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology and others, and sets up labs, imaging, and ancillary care as needed. And like all NCH concierge physicians, she has additional concierge doctors backing her up as part of the team, so her patients always have a doctor to connect with.


NCH concierge physicians emphasize preventative care with nutrition and fitness counseling, treating the whole person rather than just a particular symptom or illness.


“I take a holistic approach, treating the patient as a whole; incorporating mind, body and soul as I care for my patients,” said Dr. Bakker.


Participation in NCH concierge medicine includes complimentary and discounted membership in the NCH Wellness Center, and personalized coordination of care for patients in NCH hospitals. Patients at the three Moorings Park locations also enjoy access to the spa and the gym at Moorings Park, plus the services of their personal trainers and physical therapists.


“Sickness doesn’t happen on a 9 to 5 basis,” said Dr. Bakker. “Having the peace of mind that they can connect to their doctor at any time is very reassuring to patients.”


To learn more about the program, and schedule a meeting with Dr. Bakker, call NCH Concierge Medicine at 239-624-1120



Tameca Bakker, MD

NCH Medical Group | 132 Moorings Park Drive, Naples, FL 34105

239.624.1120

https://nchmd.org/services/concierge-medicine/

Other Articles You May Like

Medicare/Medicaid/Insurance in Lafayette, CO

When an older adult needs help at home and sees several clinicians, a coverage decision can affect everything from prescription refills to rides. If youre considering TRU PACE in Lafayette, start by asking how enrollment would change the care and coverage you already use. How Medicare and Medicaid Fit Into PACEPACE is the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. It coordinates healthcare and support for eligible adults who meet a state standard for nursing home-level care and can live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Applicants must also be 55 or older and live in the programs service area.  TRU PACE and Your Current CoveragePhone: 303-665-0115Medicare says people with Medicaid pay no monthly PACE premium. Medicare beneficiaries without Medicaid pay premiums for the long-term care portion and Medicare Part D drugs. Medicare also says participants owe no deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for drugs, services, or care approved by their PACE team. Ask TRU PACE for an estimate based on your individual coverage before enrolling.  Doctors, Prescriptions, and Existing ServicesTRU PACE says it becomes the participants insurance provider at enrollment. Participants generally receive care through the programs provider network. Bring a list of your doctors, medications, and scheduled services. Ask which providers are in the network and how the team would coordinate any changes.  Why This Matters in LafayetteIf you regularly see a clinician near home or have a specialist visit scheduled outside Lafayette, give the enrollment team the names and dates. Ask which appointments can continue and what to do about any refill due around the enrollment date. How to Get Started1. Gather Your Coverage InformationHave your Medicare and Medicaid information, if applicable, along with details of any current plan. List the appointments and prescriptions you rely on most.2. Ask for an Enrollment and Cost ReviewCall TRU PACE and ask for your expected monthly cost, when any coverage change would take effect, and who would help coordinate the transition.  Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesPACE Adult Day Services Care Management

Funeral Cremation & Mortuary Services in Lafayette, CO

After a death, families may have to make several decisions in a short time. Others prefer to talk through their wishes ahead of time. In either situation, it helps to separate the practical arrangements from the decisions about how to gather, remember, and say goodbye. What Funeral and Mortuary Services CoverA funeral home can help arrange transportation and care of the person who died, assist with paperwork, and coordinate burial or cremation. A family may also arrange a viewing, funeral, memorial, or private gathering. Ask which decisions need to be made immediately and which can wait. The Natural Funeral in LafayettePhone: 720-515-2344The Natural Funeral lists natural burial, flame cremation, water cremation, and terramation, also called natural organic reduction. Water cremation uses an alkaline water process, and terramation transforms remains into soil. If one of these options interests you, ask what the process involves, how long it typically takes, and what the family receives afterward.  Planning a Gathering and Reviewing CostsThe Lafayette funeral home is at 102 W Chester Street in Old Town. Ask what can take place at the Lafayette location and which parts would involve another venue or a cemetery. Request a General Price List and a written breakdown of your choices so you can see which fees cover the funeral homes work and which come from outside providers.  Why This Matters in LafayetteIf relatives are coming from out of town or some guests have limited mobility, ask about parking, step-free access, and how many people the gathering space can accommodate. If you plan to hold a service and burial at different locations, check how much time guests will need between them. How to Get Started1. Write Down the Persons WishesLook for written instructions and note any cultural or religious preferences. If youre planning ahead, tell a trusted person where you keep your instructions and whom to call.2. Ask for a Written PlanCall 720-515-2344 and ask what is needed on the first call. Once youve discussed options, request the expected timeline and itemized costs before approving arrangements. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCounseling Hospice Advance Care Planning

Adult Day Services in Lafayette, CO

When an older adult spends most weekdays alone, families may need more than a place for them to go. They may also be juggling transportation, appointments, and help at home. TRU PACE in Lafayette offers a day center as part of a program that coordinates those needs for eligible older adults. What Are Adult Day Services?Adult day services offer daytime support outside the home. Depending on the program, participants may spend time with peers, eat a meal, take part in activities, or receive help with daily needs. Some centers accept people directly. The Lafayette TRU PACE center serves people enrolled in its broader Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly. TRU PACE in LafayettePhone: 303-665-0115TRU PACEs Lafayette center is at 2593 Park Lane. The program coordinates medical and social services and arranges transportation to the day center and medical visits as needed. Ask the enrollment team what a typical center day includes, how often a participant might attend, and how the team decides what support to arrange at home. Who May QualifyPACE applicants must be at least 55, live in the programs service area, meet the states standard for nursing home-level care, and be able to live safely in the community with PACE support at enrollment. Ask how enrollment would affect access to current doctors and prescription coverage before making a decision.  Why This Matters in LafayetteWhen family members already drive someone to several appointments a week, a coordinated schedule can change who needs to be available and when. Ask how pickup would work at the persons Lafayette address and who to call if a ride or appointment changes. How to Get Started1. Ask for an Eligibility ReviewCall TRU PACE. Have the participants ZIP code, current coverage, and a short list of the help they need. 2. Ask to Visit the CenterFind out what the participant might do on a center day, how transportation works, and what changes to their current care arrangements enrollment would involve. Related Seniors Blue Book CategoriesCare Management Transportation Respite Care