my doc is moving to MDVIP

Mrs.Purdue · February 2012

We got a letter in the mail yesterday that our family doc is changing his practice and partnering with MDVIP, which is basically like a concierge/boutique medical practice. He'll only take a certain number of patients (a lot lower than currently), you have 24/7 access to him (cell phone number, etc), he builds a total wellness program for you (fitness, weight, stress, whatever), you get same-day appointments.

He still takes insurance for office visits, but there's a $1600 membership fee to be a part of his new practice. Surprise

at first, I was like "hell no", we're switching. However, after having E, I've felt SUPER unhealthy. I've been constantly sick for 3 months now (have seen my doc 5 times in these last 2 months alone). Everything in my body hurts - joints, bones, muscles. I'm definitely needing some help in the fitness/weight management categories (before baby too), I have a history of depression and chronic headaches. Maybe investing $1600 to really try and get myself healthier would be worth it?

Anyone else doing something like MDVIP? I think I'm still leaning towards switching, but it's at least an interesting idea to me.

rssnlvr · February 2012

That would be a "hell no, we're switching" moment for me. Maybe at a different income level it would be feasible, but right now, that's a LOT of money for us. If I felt I really needed more focus on my weight/fitness/diet, etc. . . . I'd just focus more on it myself.

texasbeachbride · February 2012

I would switch. You sound like you have seen him several times in the past few months but didnt really feel any better. I wouldn't pay even more money to continue seeing someone who hasn't been able to help you improve your health. I think you would be better off switching to another regular medical practice and then investing some money in a nutritionist, personal trainer, and/or acupuncturist to improve your health.

MrsAJL · February 2012

I don't know. I think concierge medicine is a lot of hype, but on the other hand I feel like I get excellent service and availability from my physicians in the practice I'm in. I don't see any benefit to being able to call my doctor at all hours on his cell phone.

Mrs.Purdue · February 2012

rssnlvr:
That would be a "hell no, we're switching" moment for me. Maybe at a different income level it would be feasible, but right now, that's a LOT of money for us. If I felt I really needed more focus on my weight/fitness/diet, etc. . . . I'd just focus more on it myself.

yeah, the money was a shock at first, but I've also got my annual bonus coming up that would probably cover it.

I don't know - I guess I just wonder if it's really going to be a big change or if I'd just end up spending money to see the exact same doctor that I've always seen (metaphorically speaking - of course it will still be my same physical doctor). I think I'm just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this kind of care and if it really made a difference or not.

meg120510 · February 2012

I would switch. If I really wanted to change my diet and exercise regimen, I would find a nutritionist and personal trainer.

libbyann · February 2012

I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.

The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!

mlf625 · February 2012

libbyann:
I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.
The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!

Yes Great idea, Libby. The only way I'd pay that is if he'd come to me for appointments (like White Glove and such). Otherwise, I think you can find another perfectly good doctor without the high fee.

misjenn · February 2012

libbyann:
I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.
The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!

Sorry but I have to disagree with this. In the state of Tx anyone that has $600 and goes to a 4 day workshop is PTE/CI CPT certified. They aren't formally trained on Nutrition or underlying causes of what is going on with the metabolic system. I have seen a trainer on multiple times and seen minimal results even when following a rigorous diet lifestyle (even losing 215 lbs over 8 years ago). It wasn't until after gaining weight from my children that I couldn't get it off with the trainer. My dr recommended a specialist who discovered underlying causes of what has been making me extremely sick. So for me if the $1600 included access to Nutritionist and a dr I trust with his education and knowledge, I'd do it. These doctors are formally trained with the knowledge behind what they are recommending. Even if you lose weight doesn't mean you are doing it in a healthy way or even makes that "way" healthy.

misjenn · February 2012

libbyann:
I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.
The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!

Sorry but I have to disagree with this. In the state of Tx anyone that has $600 and goes to a 4 day workshop is PTE/CI CPT certified. They aren't formally trained on Nutrition or underlying causes of what is going on with the metabolic system. I have seen a trainer on multiple times and seen minimal results even when following a rigorous diet lifestyle (even losing 215 lbs over 8 years ago). It wasn't until after gaining weight from my children that I couldn't get it off with the trainer. My dr recommended a specialist who discovered underlying causes of what has been making me extremely sick. So for me if the $1600 included access to Nutritionist and a dr I trust with his education and knowledge, I'd do it. These doctors are formally trained with the knowledge behind what they are recommending. Even if you lose weight doesn't mean you are doing it in a healthy way or even makes that "way" healthy.

Mrs.Purdue · February 2012

excellent points, all of you...

I think I'm sad to have to move away from him. He's been my doc for 10 years and was the only person that found a solution to my headaches (I had seen SO many docs before him). I also don't want to go through the whole process of finding another doc that I like, transferring medical records, etc. Ugh.

I do think it's worth investing some money in my overall health though. I might be asking for some referrals in the not-to-distant future (docs, trainers, etc).

Mrs.Purdue · February 2012

misjenn:
libbyann:
I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.
The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!
Sorry but I have to disagree with this. In the state of Tx anyone that has $600 and goes to a 4 day workshop is PTE/CI CPT certified. They aren't formally trained on Nutrition or underlying causes of what is going on with the metabolic system. I have seen a trainer on multiple times and seen minimal results even when following a rigorous diet lifestyle (even losing 215 lbs over 8 years ago). It wasn't until after gaining weight from my children that I couldn't get it off with the trainer. My dr recommended a specialist who discovered underlying causes of what has been making me extremely sick. So for me if the $1600 included access to Nutritionist and a dr I trust with his education and knowledge, I'd do it. These doctors are formally trained with the knowledge behind what they are recommending. Even if you lose weight doesn't mean you are doing it in a healthy way or even makes that "way" healthy.

This has been that little thread of doubt in my head all day - that there is a real doctor that can look at my whole medical history and discover things that individual people (like trainers or nutritionists can't). Like Libby, for example, has been working out with a trainer for a long time, but just now figured out that she has a medical condition that was preventing her from losing her last 10lbs and causing some other problems. Her trainer didn't know that - she had to go to a doctor to find that out separately. I kind of feel like if it was just one person managing everything (bloodwork, fitness, nutrition, sicknesses I bring home from daycare, etc) that it would take some of those problems away. Like he'd know that I'm too sick to work out in a certain way, so he'd tailor something different for me. Or if I hit a plateau, he could look for other (medical) causes. Or he'd monitor my bloodwork more regularly when we change something up in my system, etc.

libbyann · February 2012

misjenn:
libbyann:
I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.
The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!
Sorry but I have to disagree with this. In the state of Tx anyone that has $600 and goes to a 4 day workshop is PTE/CI CPT certified. They aren't formally trained on Nutrition or underlying causes of what is going on with the metabolic system. I have seen a trainer on multiple times and seen minimal results even when following a rigorous diet lifestyle (even losing 215 lbs over 8 years ago). It wasn't until after gaining weight from my children that I couldn't get it off with the trainer. My dr recommended a specialist who discovered underlying causes of what has been making me extremely sick. So for me if the $1600 included access to Nutritionist and a dr I trust with his education and knowledge, I'd do it. These doctors are formally trained with the knowledge behind what they are recommending. Even if you lose weight doesn't mean you are doing it in a healthy way or even makes that "way" healthy.

I must have an amazing trainer then...she is formally trained in nutrition (not just a workshop). I would have to guess that your situation isn't the norm, though. If it were me (and again, this is only ME!) I'd try diet and exercise first. If that didn't fix my problems, I'd definitely look into underlying issues that might be present.

libbyann · February 2012

Mrs.Purdue:
misjenn:
libbyann:
I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.
The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!
Sorry but I have to disagree with this. In the state of Tx anyone that has $600 and goes to a 4 day workshop is PTE/CI CPT certified. They aren't formally trained on Nutrition or underlying causes of what is going on with the metabolic system. I have seen a trainer on multiple times and seen minimal results even when following a rigorous diet lifestyle (even losing 215 lbs over 8 years ago). It wasn't until after gaining weight from my children that I couldn't get it off with the trainer. My dr recommended a specialist who discovered underlying causes of what has been making me extremely sick. So for me if the $1600 included access to Nutritionist and a dr I trust with his education and knowledge, I'd do it. These doctors are formally trained with the knowledge behind what they are recommending. Even if you lose weight doesn't mean you are doing it in a healthy way or even makes that "way" healthy.
This has been that little thread of doubt in my head all day - that there is a real doctor that can look at my whole medical history and discover things that individual people (like trainers or nutritionists can't). Like Libby, for example, has been working out with a trainer for a long time, but just now figured out that she has a medical condition that was preventing her from losing her last 10lbs and causing some other problems. Her trainer didn't know that - she had to go to a doctor to find that out separately. I kind of feel like if it was just one person managing everything (bloodwork, fitness, nutrition, sicknesses I bring home from daycare, etc) that it would take some of those problems away. Like he'd know that I'm too sick to work out in a certain way, so he'd tailor something different for me. Or if I hit a plateau, he could look for other (medical) causes. Or he'd monitor my bloodwork more regularly when we change something up in my system, etc.

I lost 60 pounds with my trainer before getting stuck on my last 10 pounds. And this isn't 10 pounds to get to a healthy weight - it's 10 pounds to get to where I WANT to be. And my "answer" to my medical issue that the doctor gave me? Eat healthy, exercise, and get more sleep. I don't think doctors or trainers/nutritionists can take the place of either one - or at least, that's been my experience. Without a trainer, I wouldn't have stuck with it for the past year and a half. Without my doctor, I wouldn't know that I had some medical issues that were going to make these last 10 a b*tch to get off. IMO, they can go hand in hand.

You need to do what you feel comfortable with, for sure...but if you haven't tried diet and exercise yet, why look for a problem that you don't know is there? (I'm speaking without knowing your history, of course).

misjenn · February 2012

libbyann:
Mrs.Purdue:
misjenn:
libbyann:
I wouldn't pay that just for a membership fee, but that's just me...If I had the money lying around, I'd put $1600 towards training sessions with an awesome personal trainer at the gym. They'll draw up a fitness, nutrition plan for you and keep you accountable for coming.
The trainer I work with charges $65/session...so for $1600, you'd get 24 sessions. If you space them out to 2 a week, that's 12 weeks of working with a trainer. You could see HUGE results in that time!
Sorry but I have to disagree with this. In the state of Tx anyone that has $600 and goes to a 4 day workshop is PTE/CI CPT certified. They aren't formally trained on Nutrition or underlying causes of what is going on with the metabolic system. I have seen a trainer on multiple times and seen minimal results even when following a rigorous diet lifestyle (even losing 215 lbs over 8 years ago). It wasn't until after gaining weight from my children that I couldn't get it off with the trainer. My dr recommended a specialist who discovered underlying causes of what has been making me extremely sick. So for me if the $1600 included access to Nutritionist and a dr I trust with his education and knowledge, I'd do it. These doctors are formally trained with the knowledge behind what they are recommending. Even if you lose weight doesn't mean you are doing it in a healthy way or even makes that "way" healthy.
This has been that little thread of doubt in my head all day - that there is a real doctor that can look at my whole medical history and discover things that individual people (like trainers or nutritionists can't). Like Libby, for example, has been working out with a trainer for a long time, but just now figured out that she has a medical condition that was preventing her from losing her last 10lbs and causing some other problems. Her trainer didn't know that - she had to go to a doctor to find that out separately. I kind of feel like if it was just one person managing everything (bloodwork, fitness, nutrition, sicknesses I bring home from daycare, etc) that it would take some of those problems away. Like he'd know that I'm too sick to work out in a certain way, so he'd tailor something different for me. Or if I hit a plateau, he could look for other (medical) causes. Or he'd monitor my bloodwork more regularly when we change something up in my system, etc.
I lost 60 pounds with my trainer before getting stuck on my last 10 pounds. And this isn't 10 pounds to get to a healthy weight - it's 10 pounds to get to where I WANT to be. And my "answer" to my medical issue that the doctor gave me? Eat healthy, exercise, and get more sleep. I don't think doctors or trainers/nutritionists can take the place of either one - or at least, that's been my experience. Without a trainer, I wouldn't have stuck with it for the past year and a half. Without my doctor, I wouldn't know that I had some medical issues that were going to make these last 10 a b*tch to get off. IMO, they can go hand in hand.
You need to do what you feel comfortable with, for sure...but if you haven't tried diet and exercise yet, why look for a problem that you don't know is there? (I'm speaking without knowing your history, of course).

I completely agree with this. I just always caution people to interview trainers, nutritionist, drs like they would anyone else. I exclusively used a trainer and nutritionist for 3 years to get over 200 lbs off my body. I could have saved myself from almost dying twice if someone had said 4 years ago "Look something is underlying here and causing you to be really sick". So honestly I would take them all hand in hand, your body is a complex machine so I would treat it that way.

ssinca · February 2012

Ha, I used to work for them:) email me for more details, I'm on vacation so I prob won't get back to you for a few days, but I can give you more info there. ssinca @ gmail. And FWIW, the doc is reqd to give you a list of referrals if you choose not to join.

angelaggie · February 2012

Is the $1600 a one time membership fee or a yearly thing. If its a one time thing is be more inclined to do it.

FireChiefsBride · February 2012

To be somewhat vague, DH has a membership to something similar. I am not a fan and think it was a waste of money. I think he's coming around to that line of thinking too, unfortunately. There are still deductions, fees, medications, etc. Unless it's a service that you see really worth the money in addition to medical expenses, I would switch Drs.

Mrs.Purdue · February 2012

FireChiefsBride:
To be somewhat vague, DH has a membership to something similar. I am not a fan and think it was a waste of money. I think he's coming around to that line of thinking too, unfortunately. There are still deductions, fees, medications, etc. Unless it's a service that you see really worth the money in addition to medical expenses, I would switch Drs.

This is awesomely helpful. I had pretty much already decided against it as well (for all the reasons above), but I'm definitely grateful to have a personal experience to base my decision on as well. It would have to be REALLY awesome to be worth that expense and given my past experiences with him, I don't see him going $1600 above and beyond (maybe a few hundred, but not this much).

Taytee · February 2012

If he hasn't fixed you yet, I don't think throwing more money at it will help.

I'd seek another doctor and ask for more testing.

And go gluten free

Emer · February 2012

My GP made the switch this year and I decided not to "join". Her fee was monthly, though. Ultimately, the extra money only got me better access and I didn't think it was worth the money. I didn't think she would be the type of resource I want. I would love to have someone I trust keeping up with my (minor) medical issues and working with me on nutrition, but I think I could find services from individual professionals that I used more. She held several meetings for people to come ask questions, so I would encourage you to attend those if your doc offers them.

I would be much more inclined to spend $133 a month for our pedi's cell number

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