Choosing a concierge doctor is a bigger decision than picking a name from an insurance directory. You are paying a concierge fee for a closer relationship, so it makes sense to check the basics carefully and then spend real time on fit.

This guide covers both. The first half is homework you can do from a laptop in an evening. The second half is about what you can only learn by meeting the doctor in person.

Check board certification

A state license is the legal requirement to practice medicine. Board certification is a separate credential that shows a doctor has met a specialty board’s standards. For internists, that board is the American Board of Internal Medicine, which also certifies subspecialties such as Nephrology and cardiology.

Anyone can look up a physician’s status on the ABIM verification page. Search by name and state, and note whether certification is current and in which areas. If a doctor describes themselves as a specialist, the lookup should match.

Look up the Florida license

The Florida Department of Health runs a public license verification service for health care practitioners. You can search by name or license number, check whether the license is active, search disciplinary actions and view a practitioner profile.

If you split the year between two states, look up the license in each state where you see the doctor. Every state keeps its own records.

  • License status: active and clear.
  • Discipline: any public actions, and how long ago.
  • Profile: education, training and practice locations, as reported by the doctor.

Ask about hospital privileges

Hospital privileges tell you where your doctor can be directly involved if you are admitted. In northern Palm Beach County, many patients prefer a doctor connected to the hospital closest to home.

Ask which hospitals the doctor works with and what happens when a member is admitted. Do they visit, call the hospital team, review results, help plan the discharge? Our article on a concierge doctor during a hospital stay goes into more detail. For reference, Dr. Yana Shtern is affiliated with Jupiter Medical Center and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center and does not admit patients herself.

Understand the model and the money

Concierge practices differ a great deal. Some belong to a national network, others are independent. Some bill insurance for visits and tests, others do not. Before comparing fees, make sure you are comparing the same thing.

If you have Medicare, know that Medicare does not cover concierge fees, and that a doctor who accepts assignment cannot charge you extra for services Medicare covers. Ask each practice to explain in writing what the fee includes and what is billed to insurance. Our page on concierge versus traditional primary care lays out the usual differences.

Judge the fit in person

Credentials tell you a doctor is qualified. They do not tell you whether you will feel comfortable calling at nine at night, or whether the doctor explains things in a way that makes sense to you. That part takes a conversation.

  • Listening: did the doctor let you finish, and ask follow-up questions?
  • Clarity: were the answers about access, fees and insurance specific?
  • Experience with your conditions: if you have kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease or memory concerns, has the doctor managed them for years?
  • Location and logistics: is the office easy to reach, with parking, and are labs drawn on site?
  • Family: if relatives help with your care, were they welcome at the meeting?

Ask, too, how the practice handles prescriptions, referrals and test results between visits. These small routines are where most of the day-to-day experience lives, and a practice that has thought them through will describe them without hesitation.

It is reasonable to meet more than one practice before deciding. We keep a printable list of questions to ask at a concierge meet and greet that works for any practice, not only ours.

A few cautions

Be wary of guarantees about outcomes, pressure to sign the same day, or vague answers about what happens if you leave. A membership agreement is a contract, so read it fully and ask about anything that is unclear.

It is also fair to ask how long the doctor has practiced in the area and what their plans are. A concierge relationship is built over years, and continuity is a large part of what the membership is for.

Reviews can be useful for spotting patterns, such as repeated comments about billing or access, but a handful of very good or very bad ones tells you little. Your own impression after an unhurried conversation is usually more reliable.

If you would like to meet us as part of your search, the first visit at Legacy Medical is a complimentary meet and greet with Dr. Shtern. Bring your questions and your list of medicines, and we will answer as plainly as we can.

This article is general information, not advice for your situation. Members can call the office with questions about their own care.