What is included in concierge medicine?

If you’ve been searching online for a concierge practice, you’re probably looking for care that feels different from the usual system. Many people are tired of long waits, short visits, and not being able to reach their doctor when they need help.

Concierge medicine is built around a simple idea: pay a membership fee so your doctor can spend more time with you and offer better access.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• What concierge medicine really is (in plain language)
• What is usually included in concierge services
• What may cost extra (so there are no surprises)
• How insurance works with concierge care
• How to decide if concierge services are worth the cost

Shreveport Direct Care is a membership-based primary care clinic in Shreveport, Louisiana. Many people describe this kind of care as “concierge-style” because it focuses on access, time, and a strong doctor-patient relationship—without the rushed feel of traditional care.

What exactly is concierge medicine?

Concierge medicine is a healthcare model where you pay a monthly or yearly membership fee to a medical practice. In return, you usually get more personalized care and better access to your doctor.

Concierge medicine in one simple sentence

Concierge medicine is primary care with a membership fee that supports longer visits, easier access, and more personalized planning.

Why concierge medicine exists

In traditional healthcare, doctors often have very large patient lists. That can lead to:

• Short appointments (often 10–15 minutes)
• Long waits to be seen (sometimes weeks)
• Trouble reaching the doctor between visits
• Feeling like your care is rushed or fragmented

Concierge medicine tries to solve these issues by reducing the number of patients per doctor. When the practice has fewer patients, it can offer longer visits, faster scheduling, more follow-up, and more prevention-focused care.

What concierge medicine is (and is not)

Concierge medicine is:

• A way to get more time and access
• A model that often focuses on prevention
• A relationship-based approach to primary care

Concierge medicine is not:

• A replacement for emergency care (although at Shreveport Direct Care you should not need to go to Urgent Care again!)
• A replacement for hospital insurance in most cases
• A guarantee that everything is free (some things still cost extra)

Concierge medicine vs traditional primary care

Traditional primary care

• Larger patient panels
• Shorter visits
• More waiting for appointments
• Less direct access to the physician

Concierge medicine

• Smaller patient panels
• Longer visits
• Faster appointments (often same-day or next-day when available)
• More direct communication options (practice rules vary)

Concierge medicine vs Direct Primary Care (DPC)

You might also see the term Direct Primary Care (DPC) when searching for a concierge practice.

These models overlap a lot. Both usually involve:

• A membership fee
• Better access
• Longer visits
• A focus on prevention

A common difference is pricing and structure:

• Some concierge practices are very expensive and may bill insurance for visits.
• Many DPC practices aim to be more affordable and simpler, often without billing insurance.

Shreveport Direct Care is membership-based primary care (DPC-style), designed to be easy to understand, easy to access, and cost-effective for many families.

Who concierge medicine helps most

Concierge medicine can be especially helpful for:

• People who want a doctor who has time to listen
• Busy adults who can’t wait weeks for care
• Parents who want quick answers for kids
• People with ongoing conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, thyroid issues, or anxiety
• People working on weight loss, since progress often requires follow-ups and coaching

Concierge Medicine at Shreveport Direct Care

What is included in concierge services?

This is the main question most people have: what do I get for the membership fee? The answer depends on the practice, but there are common concierge services you’ll see again and again.

Below is a clear breakdown of what is usually included, what is sometimes included, and what often costs extra.

What is usually included in concierge services

1) Longer office visits

Longer visits help with:

• Complex symptoms (fatigue, headaches, dizziness, stomach issues)
• Mental health concerns (stress, anxiety, low mood)
• A full review of labs and risk factors
• Prevention planning
• Weight loss counseling

Instead of rushing, your doctor can ask better questions and help you build a real plan.

2) Faster appointments (often same-day or next-day when available)

Concierge practices often offer faster scheduling because they see fewer patients. This can reduce urgent care trips and help you handle small problems early.

3) Direct communication with the practice

Many concierge practices offer easier communication, such as:

• Phone calls
• Secure messages/portal messages
• Texting (in some practices)
• Video visits (in some practices)

Each practice sets its own rules. A good practice will explain how you contact them, typical response time, and how after-hours questions are handled.

4) Preventive care planning (a “stay healthy” plan)

Concierge medicine often emphasizes prevention, including plans for:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol and heart risk
• Diabetes risk
• Cancer screening schedules
• Vaccines (some in-office; some referred out)
• Sleep, stress, nutrition, and movement goals

5) Chronic condition management (more support over time)

Concierge-style care often includes more support for:

• High blood pressure
• Prediabetes or diabetes
• High cholesterol
• Asthma
• Thyroid disease
• Migraines
• Anxiety or depression
• Insomnia

You may get more check-ins, more time to review progress, and clearer next steps.

6) Care coordination and advocacy

This may include:

• Referrals to specialists when needed
• Reviewing outside records
• Explaining specialist plans in plain language
• Keeping your care plan consistent across providers

7) Some in-office procedures (varies by practice)

Some simple procedures may be included, while others may have a separate fee. Ask what is included.

8) Medication support (varies by practice)

Some membership practices include certain common medications or offer them at low cost. Shreveport Direct Care includes many common medications at no extra cost for members.

9) Virtual visits (varies by practice)

Some practices include virtual visits for follow-ups, medication checks, and lab reviews.

What may cost extra (even in concierge medicine)

Even with a membership fee, these are commonly separate costs:

• Lab work (may be discounted or billed through insurance)
• Imaging (X-ray/CT/MRI/ultrasound)
• Specialist visits
• Hospital and ER care
• Some vaccines
• Certain procedures

How to compare concierge practices (avoid surprises)

Ask these questions:

• Can I get same-day or next-day visits when needed?
• How long are typical appointments?
• How do I contact the office (text, phone, portal, email)?
• What is the typical response time?
• Are visits unlimited?
• Are procedures included?
• Are medications included or discounted?
• Are labs included or discounted?
• Do you offer prevention planning and weight loss support?

Concierge services and weight loss support

Weight loss often fails when care is rushed. Concierge-style care can help by offering:

• More time to talk through barriers (stress, sleep, schedule, cravings)
• Regular check-ins for accountability
• Lab review (A1c, cholesterol, thyroid)
• Step-by-step habit coaching
• Medication guidance when appropriate and safe

Are concierge doctors covered by insurance?

The membership fee is usually not covered by insurance

Most insurance plans do not pay the concierge membership fee.

Some concierge practices bill insurance for visits, some don’t

Hybrid concierge: membership fee + insurance billing for some visits/services
DPC-style membership: membership covers most primary care; insurance may not be billed for routine visits (varies by clinic)

Why keep insurance anyway?

Insurance can still help cover:

• Emergency room care
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Specialist visits
• Imaging (MRI/CT)
• Expensive medications

Questions to ask the practice

• Do you bill insurance for anything?
• What happens if I need labs or imaging?
• Do you help patients find affordable options?
• How do referrals work?

Are concierge services worth the cost?

What you’re really paying for

In many cases, you’re paying for time, access, prevention, a stable relationship with your doctor, and better follow-up.

When concierge services are often worth it

Concierge care may be worth it if:

• You want faster access when you’re sick
• You hate feeling rushed
• You have ongoing health issues and want steady support
• You want prevention and long-term planning
• You are working on weight loss and need follow-up and coaching

When it may not be worth it

It may not be worth it if:

• You rarely use healthcare and don’t value extra access
• Your budget is tight and you don’t need ongoing support right now

Why many people choose Shreveport Direct Care

Shreveport Direct Care is a membership-based primary care clinic in Shreveport, Louisiana, focused on access, prevention, and longer visits. Many members also appreciate that many common medications are included.

FAQs

1) What is included in concierge medicine?

Usually: longer visits, improved access, preventive planning, and more personalized support. Exact concierge services vary by practice.

2) What concierge services are most common?

Faster appointments, longer visits, easier communication, chronic condition management, and prevention-focused care.

3) Are labs included in concierge medicine?

Sometimes. Many practices offer discounted labs, and some include certain labs. Ask what is included and what costs extra.

4) Are concierge doctors covered by insurance?

The membership fee is usually not covered by insurance. Some concierge practices also bill insurance for certain services, depending on the clinic.

5) Can concierge medicine help with weight loss?

Yes. Longer visits and follow-ups can support habit change, lab review, and safe medical guidance when appropriate.

6) How do I choose the right concierge practice near me?

Ask about access, visit length, communication methods, what’s included in the fee, and what costs extra. Choose a practice that is transparent and prevention-focused.

Local Shreveport Paragraph (add at the end)

If you’re searching “what is included in concierge medicine” because you want a concierge practice near you, choosing a local clinic that’s easy to access matters. Shreveport Direct Care is a membership-based primary care clinic in Shreveport, Louisiana, serving patients across the area, including Bossier City, Benton, Haughton, Blanchard, Stonewall, Greenwood, and Keithville. We focus on the concierge-style benefits people want most—longer visits, faster access, preventive care, and ongoing support—with simple membership pricing. If you’ve been trying to find a concierge doctor near you who will listen and help you build a clear plan, our team is here to help.