Dr. Cyrus Peikari received his medical degree from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, which included several prestigious internships abroad. He then completed his training in Internal Medicine at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Peikari is a renowned physician and author who has written several books. His medical textbook is used by physicians across the country as a study guide for certification for the ABIM Internal Board Examination.

After 10 years of holding leadership positions at Baylor Medical Center and Presbyterian Hospital, Dr. Peikari decided to change course and opened a solo practice. Born and raised in Dallas, he has always felt a strong bond with the local community. A few years later, he dedicated himself to Concierge-style medical practice.

With a concierge-style practice (also commonly called boutique-based medicine or advance), patients are charged a monthly or annual fee. Insurance is not accepted. This, according to Dr. Peikari, eliminates a host of problems that the typical physician encounters. Dr. Peikari generally takes no more than 200 patients into his practice and spends at least 30 minutes with each patient per visit. This allows for highly individualized care. Most doctors see 30 to 50 patients a day. Patient satisfaction in this type of environment is predictably higher.

Although this model tends to favor people with higher incomes and people with more complex medical conditions, the model has been successful in places like Seattle, where Quliance has not accepted insurance reimbursement for more than 15 years. Patients pay a fixed monthly fee for unlimited access to 13 doctors. This model has been extremely effective as typically 40-50% of the overhead in a medical office is spent on billing and collections. As Dr. Piekari says: “Everyone in healthcare is in transition, the market is eliminating traditional practices, which are bankrupt. It is becoming Concierge Care or Mass Medicine.”

We were fortunate to take a few moments from Dr. Piekari’s busy schedule and have him answer some of our questions about concierge-style healthcare.

Kevin: Dr. Peikari, one of the main complaints from most patients is that they see an increase in waiting time and a decrease in individual care from their doctor. Concierge care is a trend that is gaining popularity. Could you explain the basic business model and why more doctors are choosing this type of practice?

Dr. Peikari: Concierge or “cash only” practices are changing healthcare to the way Marcus Wellby practiced it on television. Until now, third parties, such as insurance payers and the government, have crowded into the exam room. Concierge care gives you back that close, private and personal care. Once again he has a trusted doctor, like the one he had as a child.

Kevin: How can a patient expect to be treated differently in this kind of setting?

Dr. Peikari: Concierge medicine allows enough time for a full discussion of your problems. Often times, I don’t realize what the real problem is until 30-45 minutes of conversation with a patient. It’s so refreshing to be able to get these important health advances. This is what you lose in a 3 minute visit.

Kevin: Do you think this will be a viable alternative to traditional insurance-based healthcare now that the Affordable Care Act is about to go into effect?

Dr. Peikari: It is feasible because in a cash-only practice, the market determines the prices. Although the nature of our specific services places us at the higher end of the cost spectrum, you can now find concierge services at a great price … thanks to free market forces at work.

Kevin: Can you explain how this type of practice allows you to spend more time with your patients?

Dr. Peikari: By eliminating third-party payers, our work time is reduced by 90%, allowing our face-to-face time with our patients to increase by 1,000%. Therefore, a 3-minute rushed visit automatically converts to a 30-minute leisurely visit.

Kevin: How can a patient get individualized care from the Concierge and at the same time be prepared in the event of a catastrophic illness?

Dr. Peikari: We recommend catastrophic insurance with a higher deductible. In fact, this is what “insurance” was originally created for: to “insure” you against a catastrophe.

Kevin: To end this, Dr. Peikari, what is the biggest consideration to have when deciding what type of medical care is best suited to your needs?

Dr. Peikari: Your personal opinion on the healing is what is important. If you think all you need is a prescription for medicine and a 3 minute visit, then the current system works well for you. However, others believe that it is the relationship with the doctor, and not just the medications, that helps unlock their inner healing abilities.

Dr. Cyrus Piekari runs his Texas MD medical practice in Dallas, Texas. You can reach him at 214-739-6100. Its business website is texasmd.com.

Kevin Nimmo is a writer and online media strategist. Interview subject matter experts and educate your readers based on information provided by experts in their respective fields.