Consumer Health News

SignatureMD announces new program to combat health care and insurance crisis

By April MacIntyre Apr 30, 2012, 13:04 GMT

SignatureMD today announced their 'Affordable, Portable, Personalized Care' (APP Care) program to address flaws in the U.S. Health Care System.

ABC news affiliate KAIT8 reports that SignatureMD, a leading provider of retainer-based, personalized health care in the U.S., has rolled out their "Affordable, Portable, Personalized Care," or APP Care, a program designed to address the needs of the middle class while helping to ensure the future of primary care, private practice physicians.

"The standard concierge medicine program is designed to be exclusive rather than inclusive. Typically, when a doctor converts to a retainer-based practice model, patients are given one choice: pay up or drop out. APP Care ensures that all patients can continue to see their primary care doctor, even if they opt not to join the program," says Matt Jacobson, CEO, SignatureMD.

The plan allows middle class people to benefit fromwhat was once the privilege of the wealthy, with custom plans that give average families 24/7 email and phone access to their doctor, no-wait doctor appointments, executive-style annual physicals and extended doctor visits.

SignatureMD also boasts an active wellness blog that offers up to date information on life enhancing dietary tips, wellness coaching and information on major life transitions like menopause, as well as strategies for dealing and defeating chronic issues like diabetes.

The tax-deductible average concierge retainer for a doctor affiliated with SignatureMD is $1,650 per patient with substantial discounts for families, including thorough executive wellness exams valued at over $1100 for each member annually.

Jacobson explains that the enrollees keep their existing insurance policies, which still cover prescriptions, radiological studies, hospitalizations and catastrophic illness. The addended SignatureMD plan offers ramped up care and these expensive executive exams as part of the additional services too.

"For so many people, the concept of concierge medicine seems elite – designed only for the rich. In reality, the vast majority of our concierge patients are middle class. In an age where the average doctor's appointment is now only 8 minutes, people want a more personalized approach to health care that focuses on long-term prevention of chronic conditions rather than merely the treatment of symptoms," explains Jacobson.

"Today's healthcare system leaves physicians as frustrated as patients. It completely changes the dynamics of health care when doctors have the time to focus on each individual patient's short-term and long-term goals. Our concierge plan gives both doctors and patients choices," says Jacobson.

For more information: www.http://www.signaturemd.com/