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Tampa / Harbour Island’s Concierge Physician
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Harbour Island’s only established physician is a true innovator. Disenchanted with the dismal state of America’s healthcare system, Dr. Michael O’Neal introduced the first ‘concierge’ or ‘boutique’ medical practice to theTampa Bay area in August 2002. CooperativeMed was also the first ‘concierge’ medical practice started from scratch (i.e. no preexisting patient population) in the United States. Dr. O’Neal opened his second office on Harbour Island in January 2005.Supported by annual fees paid by patient subscribers, “my low volume practice environment allows me to more efficiently utilize the knowledge and skill I was trained with, while focusing more time and energy on fewer patients”, says O’Neal. He will cap his membership at 450 patients in order to consistently guarantee the high level of service that is offered. In comparison, the average primary care physician cares for an average of more than 3,000 patients, and often many more.
This novel business model has been a topic of local and national media attention. Florida Trend magazine selected Dr. O’Neal for the cover of their June 2006 issue featuring a story on this unique healthcare trend. “I enjoy educating people on the concept of boutique medicine. The media has allowed me to accurately portray this niche concept to thousands of people that may have otherwise been unaware or misinformed about the role this practice model plays in our healthcare system”, says O’Neal.
While Dr. O’Neal cares for several A-list celebrities and professional athletes, this practice is available to anyone who wishes to prioritize their health. “All of my patients are treated like celebrities”, O’Neal says with a smile. A more manageable practice environment allows for more personalized care and a level of service unlike that typically encountered in a traditional medical practice. It isn’t uncommon for Dr. O’Neal to see patients at their home or work, meet patient’s after-hours to prevent an emergency room visit, or accompanying a patient to another doctor’s visit.
The cost of joining ranges from $1,500 to $3,500 depending on the number of family members. The annual fee is not covered by insurance. However, many non-HMO commercial insurances and Medicare are accepted and billed for any reimbursable services. “I designed this practice to compliment, not replace, insurance”, he says.
Despite perceived controversy, this healthcare delivery model has been shown to reduce the incidence of hospitalizations and emergency room utilization. Patient’s within boutique practices may miss fewer days from work because of injury or illness, spend more time with the physician, and less time waiting. There is also attentiveness to preventative care, which is often inadvertently neglected in volume-driven medical practices.
Kristian Krempel, former professional tennis player and Harbour Island resident claims “this has been the best investment I have ever made in my health”.
Michael is now my personal physician and I am extremly pleased with his services.
Check him out at CooperativeMed.com
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