The Real Pros and Cons of Concierge Medicine
An honest look at the pros and cons of concierge medicine, from access and time to the monthly fee, and who the model actually fits best in Tampa.
Published May 30, 2025 · 3 min read
The short answer
The main pros of concierge medicine are direct access, longer visits, real prevention, and active coordination of your care, all from a physician who knows you. The main cons are the monthly membership fee, the fact that you still keep insurance for labs and specialists, and that it is not the right fit for everyone.
The honest pros
Concierge medicine fixes the things that frustrate people about rushed primary care. Because the panel is small, you get fast and often 24/7 access to your own physician, appointments that run 45 to 60 minutes instead of fifteen, and real time spent on prevention rather than just treating what already went wrong. Your physician also coordinates your labs, imaging, and referrals instead of leaving that work to you.
The throughline is continuity. Seeing the same doctor who knows your history changes the quality of the care and the decisions that come out of it.
The honest cons
There is a monthly membership fee, and that is the real trade-off. At Seth Premier Medical it is $299 a month, a separate concierge fee on top of the care your insurance covers. The practice is in-network and bills your insurance for visits, and you still use insurance for labs, imaging, medications, hospital care, and specialists, so the membership sits on top of coverage you keep, not in place of it.
And it is genuinely not for everyone. If you rarely see a doctor and mainly want the lowest possible out-of-pocket cost, paying a monthly fee may not pencil out for you.
Who it fits best
Concierge medicine tends to fit people who value time and access, who want prevention and longevity taken seriously, who are managing or want to get ahead of chronic conditions, or who are simply tired of fighting for a rushed appointment. If predictable cost, fast access, and a physician who actually knows you are worth a monthly fee to you, the model delivers. If not, traditional care may be enough, and that is a fair answer too.
