Frequently Asked Questions
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Concierge medicine offers a more personalized and accessible healthcare experience. Unlike traditional primary care, where doctors may see many patients per day, concierge practices limit the number of patients to provide longer appointment times, more direct access to your physician, and comprehensive, proactive care. This model allows for greater focus on your individual health needs and a stronger physician-patient relationship.
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We do not bill insurance for medical care provided through our practice. Encore Concierge Medicine is a membership based practice, and your annual fee covers your care with us directly. We do recommend that patients maintain health insurance to help cover care outside of our practice, such as specialist visits, hospital care, imaging, labs, and medications.
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Yes. Although we do not bill insurance for our membership fee or for care provided directly through our practice, we still use your insurance whenever possible for services outside our office, including labs, imaging, medications, and specialist referrals, just as you are used to.
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We can refer you to any specialist of your choosing, or help connect you with a trusted specialist from our curated referral network. Our team also helps coordinate care and communicate with outside specialists when needed, supporting a more seamless and comprehensive experience.
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The beauty of concierge medicine is that we’re not tied to just one hospital system. We have the flexibility to refer you to top specialists and coordinate care with any of the leading hospitals in the Chicagoland area. This includes renowned institutions such as Northwestern, Rush, UIC, the University of Chicago, and many others, ensuring that you receive the best care, no matter where it’s needed.
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Yes, we offer telemedicine visits for certain types of appointments. This allows you to connect with your physician virtually through a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform for convenience and flexibility, especially for non-urgent or follow-up care.
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We have a dedicated team that ensures continuity of care even when your primary physician is unavailable. You will always have access to a qualified physician who is familiar with your medical history and can assist you seamlessly.
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We can often continue to support you while you are away or traveling, including by phone or telemedicine when appropriate, to help with medical advice and next steps. Because prescribing laws and physician licensure requirements vary by state, medication management may be more limited when you are outside of Illinois.
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We do not require a contract, but we do have an annual mutual agreement that outlines the services provided and the expectations for both you and your physician. This ensures that both parties are clear on what to expect and allows for a transparent, collaborative relationship focused on your health and well-being.
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You may be able to use FSA or HSA funds or seek reimbursement, but this depends on your individual plan and account administrator. Beginning in 2026, certain direct primary care arrangements may qualify for HSA use under updated IRS guidance. We recommend confirming the details directly with your HSA or FSA administrator.
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Absolutely! We’re delighted to provide care for your entire family. We welcome patients of all ages and are committed to delivering high-quality healthcare for every member of your household.
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Yes, we offer an annual 10% membership discount for immediate family members, including children, who join the practice. Each family member has their own membership, which allows us to provide personalized care to every patient.
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We welcome Medicare-insured patients in our practice. However, Dr. Gold is 'opted-out' of Medicare, meaning federal regulations prohibit reimbursement for payments made directly to a physician who has opted out. That said, Medicare will still cover your non-primary care needs, such as specialist visits, hospitalizations, tests, and medications.
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Due to the structure of HMO plans, joining a concierge or DPC practice can be challenging. HMO plans require you to have a primary care doctor who is 'in-network' with your insurance, which is not compatible with our model of care.
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To ensure we are available to patients in the office as much as possible, we do not offer home visits at this time. However, we are continuously exploring ways to expand our services based on patient needs.
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For medical emergencies, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent, non-life-threatening issues, established patients can contact our office directly or reach out through our secure app for assistance. You will also have a direct line to your doctor for timely support.
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To join our practice, click this link to learn more about enrollment. We will discuss your healthcare needs, provide detailed information about our services, and guide you through the entire enrollment process.
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Yes, we offer tailored membership packages for companies who wish to provide their executives and/or employees with access to concierge healthcare. This can be an excellent way to support the well-being of your team and ensure they have access to personalized, high-quality care.