Top South Bay and West L.A. Physicians Bring Innovative Hybrid Concierge Medicine Program to Local Patients

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Bucking the trend toward quitting medicine, selling their practice or joining a large healthcare corporation, two of the Southlands top physicians, William Lang, M.D., FACP and Steven Krems, M.D., recently announced they are offering the hybrid concierge model of medicine from industry pioneer Concierge Choice Physicians (CCP) to patients. The two physicians will bring the innovative model that helps physicians stay in practice caring for all patients, while offering a concierge program just to patients whod like enhanced health care services. Through their hybrid program, Dr. Krems, located in Marina del Rey, and Dr. Lang, with offices near LAX, will serve patients from West L.A. to the South Bay, including Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Redondo and Manhattan Beach.

I liked the idea of getting back to practicing medicine the old fashioned way, where I could have lots of time with patients who wanted and needed my attention, said Dr. Krems. I had heard about full model concierge before, but didnt want to say goodbye to my patients who couldnt afford or just didnt want a concierge program. I thought this was a great combination with something for me and all of my patients.

Dr. Lang notes that in the past few years the number of independent medical practices has gone from more than 70% to around 30% and is still shrinking today as more doctors adapt to the new healthcare environment by joining larger groups or sell their practices to corporations. I believe America needs a choice in healthcare options and I believe in finding ways to encourage independent solo and small group physicians. Im glad we have options like hybrid concierge that can help to protect the traditional primary care physician, he says.

In addition to providing options for physicians, hybrid concierge programs offer patients choices. They can join the concierge program and receive enhanced services or they can continue to see their physician as before.

However, unlike traditional full-model concierge programs, where only those patients who can pay a fee can continue to see their physician, Concierge Choice Physicians hybrid models merge traditional and concierge programs and allow physicians to continue to care for all their patients, including those with Medicare or other government or private insurance programs. In a typical program, about three to eight percent of patients choose to join the concierge program and the remainder see their physician as before.

The hybrid concierge model provides medical services not covered under the patients traditional insurance policies. For a modest fee, equal to the cost of a daily latte, concierge patients receive comprehensive preventive care, convenient scheduling, less waiting time, direct access to their physicians through private phone numbers, cell phones, email, and other services.

Concierge patients will also receive a personalized approach to their healthcare needs emphasizing preventive medicine that is based on an in-depth, executive-style physical exam that retails for more than the cost of the annual membership. Health services include fitness, nutrition and supplement counseling and assessments of sleep, cognitive, musculoskeletal, hearing, vision, cardiac and lung function. Physicians also help to coordinate all specialist care and provide direct care coordination to hospitalized patients. Children up to age 25 are covered under their parents program.

Krems and Lang are both active physicians in Los Angeles. Dr. Krems is the team internist for the Los Angeles Clippers. Dr. Lang is also involved in providing healthcare to local athletes and supports a number of charities for homeless and undocumented children as well as Late Night Sports, an organization that gives at-risk youth a safe and secure place to play sports.

For more information on Dr. Krems and his practice, please call 310-578-1062. Dr. Langs office can be reached at 310-536-9262.