With You, Advocating for You

The last time we checked in with Dr. Elizabeth Story, it was to discuss some of the tools she’s been employing to help her patients with an effective, medically managed weight loss plan. A great example is her very happy patient, whose quality of life has improved beyond measure since she lost 80 pounds and can now walk upstairs and play with her grandchildren again. This time, though, we discussed a unique and highly beneficial service she provides called Membership Medicine.

Nowadays, it seems like a visit to the doctor is more about filling out forms, meeting with the doctor for 10 minutes, and then keeping track of explanation of benefits letters and billing statements. Many people, including the doctors themselves, long for the days when the doctor really knew their patients. Unfortunately, with big insurance running the show, doctors must carry a patient load of 2,500 to 3,000 patients! How could they possibly get to know their patients? And how can the patients get to know and, more importantly, really trust their doctor?

Born out of a frustration and dissatisfaction with this system, Dr. Story launched her Membership Medicine platform. This creates an opportunity for patient and doctor alike to bypass the big insurance companies and deal with each other directly, thus allowing Dr. Story to spend more time getting to really know her patients — the way it used to be.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Story

As Dr. Story explains, “The membership model allows us to eliminate the insurance middle-man and take time with each patient to go over everything from acute issues to preventative screenings. The true value of what you get by being a Membership Medicine patient is an old-fashioned relationship with one doctor who really knows you. It really is like having your personal doctor on call.” Success stories abound within Dr. Story’s practice, from the patient with difficult-to-control high blood pressure who no longer needs to see the specialists who couldn’t get her meds right to the elderly patient who didn’t have to go to an emergency room or an urgent care center to get patched up after trying to break up a scuffle between her dogs. Another testament to the value of Membership medicine is that every single one of Dr. Story’s diabetic patients is well-controlled. She attributes these successes to her and her patients’ ability to spend lots of time with each other.

This is how Membership Medicine works: rather than filing an insurance claim and paying a copay every time you visit the doctor, you pay an annual fee, which can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, for unlimited same-day or next-day visits to your very own concierge doctor. Your Membership Medicine doctor knows you and is spending a significant amount of time with you. What types of things can you see this amazing doctor for, you ask? Imagine any of the issues or complaints you might see your GP for or go to urgent care for now: acute illness, preventative care, high blood pressure, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, ear nose and throat, asthma, minor traumas, depression, anxiety, well visits, annual exams, etc.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Elizabeth Story

Membership Medicine does not replace your insurance. You still need that in case of hospitalization, surgery, and specialist visits. Think of Membership Medicine as a supplement to your insurance policy that allows you to visit a doctor who knows you, literally inside and out, for all the routine things we all need occasionally. This becomes increasingly important as we age. Those little niggling issues just crop up more often, and we become more aware of the importance of maintaining our health with an eye toward longevity. Having a long-term partner on that journey is invaluable; unfortunately, today’s insurance-run medical industry isn’t built for that.

Sometimes, it can seem like doctors don’t care about the patient as much as they used to. Not so with Dr. Story. She says, “My main job in this role is to have patients live their full, best lives for as long as possible! Whether it’s managing weight, high blood pressure, depression, insomnia, menopausal symptoms, or thyroid issues, my patients know I am in it with them for the long haul.”