What is a retainer practice or concierge medicine?
Concierge medicine is a revolutionary model of medical practice that puts the patient at the center of the healthcare experience. By retaining the services of a specific physician, the patient secures unprecedented access to the physician, which allows the physician to know the patient well and to deliver the very highest levels of primary care and service. This is the type of practice that Mark Niedfeldt, M.D. offers.
What can I expect with Dr. Niedfeldt’s practice and with retainer medicine?
You can expect a higher level of attention and more focus on prevention than you have ever experienced before because our service and attentiveness to your needs is unparalleled. You will understand the difference from the moment you walk in the door.
What is the membership fee and what does it cover?
The membership fee of an individual is $1800 – discounts are available for additional family members. Your retainer fee entitles you to become a member of the practice and ModernMed. It affords you access to all the amenities and specialized personal care services listed in your membership agreement. Your annual comprehensive wellness examination is part of the membership. Traditional health insurance will still provide for any medically necessary services for diagnosis or treatment. You will continue to pay deductibles and co-payments as outlined by your insurance.
Do I have to pay the annual fee all at once?
No. You have the option of paying quarterly or monthly.
Do I still need health insurance?
Yes. The retainer fee simply sustains your membership in the practice along with your comprehensive wellness examination; it does not cover medical visits or procedures. Insurance is needed to cover medical expenses such as hospitalizations, surgeries, diagnostic tests (such as CT scans, MRI's, endoscopies, cardiovascular testing, blood work, etc), and specialist office visits and services.
What does my health insurance cover?
We will be happy to discuss your specific health plan with you. Each provider is different, but your insurance will usually cover most medically necessary visits and procedures. Most health insurance plans are fully compatible with your membership to the Dr. Niedfeldt’s practice. Your retainer fee is for preventive care services that are not covered by insurance.
Does my insurance cover the annual fee?
Most insurers view the preventive care services encompassed by the annual fee as non-covered services and, therefore, do not reimburse the annual fee. Nonetheless, some insurers may cover a small portion of the annual fee. Insurance plans vary greatly, so check with your physician at the time of your physical examination. You should not join the practice expecting any reimbursement for your annual fee.
What insurance does Dr. Niedfeldt take?
Dr. Niedfeldt takes most insurances. Please contact our office at 262.643.4720 for more information.
Do I still pay a co-pay?
Yes. Patients are responsible for all deductibles and co-payments required by their insurance company.
What is the advantage of having electronic medical records?
Dr. Niedfeldt provides you with online access to your personal medical records, which facilitates the communication process and leads to a better healthcare partnership because accurate, easily accessible medical information is available to both parties. Studies have shown that use of electronic medical records improves overall patient care because medical errors are reduced and efficiency is increased. Electronic medical records are available to our patients through the patient portal.
How do I become a member of Dr. Niedfeldt’s practice?
Signing up is easy. Simply visit the ModernMed website,
www.modernmed.com, or call 262.643.4720 and a team member will answer your questions and assist you with completing the membership form.
What are the benefits?
There are many benefits to participating in this kind of practice, but most importantly, you will have a personal relationship with your OWN doctor. He will know you well and as a result, the quality of your care will be significantly greater. Additional benefits include:
- Direct access to Dr. Niedfeldt any time of the day or night.
- Same or next day appointments
- 24/7 availability.
- House or office calls when necessary.
- Longer appointments:
- Routine visits are a minimum of 30 minutes long.
- Annual exam (comprehensive preventative exam) is a minimum of one hour
- No wait in the waiting room
- Health Planning
- Personalized research and health information
- Referral coordination with specialists
- Electronic medical records
- Individualized treatment strategies
Referrals will be made by Dr. Niedfeldt fitting your needs with the best possible specialist who can address those needs. Dr. Niedfeldt will be happy to review your visit and discuss any test results, too.
For members requiring attention for Sports Medicine, services include:
- Exercise Prescription
- Medical care of active individuals
- Diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries
- Prolotherapy (Musculoskeletal injections)
How will I contact the doctor?
Once you are a member, you will be provided with Dr. Niedfeldt’s cell phone number, which will ring directly to him. No answering service takes your call first. In the event that Dr. Niedfeldt is with a patient or addressing an emergency, your call will be answered by a nurse.
You can also go to Dr. Niedfeldt’s website
www.modernmed.com/niedfeldt and log-in to the patient portal and send Dr. Niedfeldt an email or review test results on-line
What happens if I need the doctor after hours? Or away from home?
Simply call Dr. Niedfeldt on his cell phone or access him via the patient portal (www.modernmed.com/niedfeldt) and he will respond to your concerns no matter where you are or when you call. Dr. Niedfeldt is directly available to you 24 hours a day, every day of the week, including holidays.
What is the Patient Portal and how does it work?
The patient portal is a password protected site that allows patients to communicate directly with Dr. Niedfeldt and his staff. This portal allows appointments to be scheduled, prescription refills requested, lab tests reviewed and billing information verified.
When does Dr. Niedfeldt make a house call or workplace visit?
These types of visits will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Dr. Niedfelt will evaluate whether such a visit is essential to your health and well being. These visits are rarely necessary given the availability we have for our patients at the office. But don’t worry, if it makes sense, Dr. Niedfeldt will make it happen.
This doctor seems to focus on sports medicine…how does that work for me?
While Dr. Niedfeldt specializes in sports medicine, he is trained as a family practice physician and regularly handles all aspects of family practice care. It is not necessary to be an athlete to benefit from his knowledge of and his enthusiasm for maintaining an active lifestyle.
Can my entire family join?
Yes. Dr. Niedfeldt is a family physician; he sees patients of all ages. Enjoy the convenience of a single trip to the office for multiple members of your family.
My insurance already provides for an annual physical. What is different about this?
Dr. Niedfeldt limits his practice to no more than 500 patients, which allows him to provide a preventative care physical examination with dramatically broader scope than that which may be covered by insurance. After the physical examination, each patient receives a detailed written report and a personal wellness plan to be implemented during the year.
Can I first meet with Dr. Niedfeldt before I sign up?
Absolutely! Please contact us to schedule an informational visit at your convenience. We encourage you to come in for a tour of our office, to meet Dr. Niedfeldt and our staff, and to review the service with our patient recruiter, who is in our office to help our patients with all of their non-clinical concerns. Please feel free to meet with us and ask us questions before making your decision.
What if I have to go into the hospital?
Dr. Niedfeldt will admit and supervise patients at Columbia-St. Mary’s and Froedtert. If you choose another hospital, Dr. Niedfeldt will arrange for a hospitalist or a physician on that medical staff to supervise care and he will consult with the hospital’s physician to ensure appropriate management and progress.
What do I do when I need to see a specialist?
Dr. Niedfeldt is a completely independent physician and he is free to select the best specialist for your needs; he currently consults with a full spectrum of specialists. He is happy to coordinate your appointment for you and he will closely monitor your progress while under a specialist’s care. If you already see a specialist you like, you may certainly continue to see him or her.
For whom is this type of practice most appropriate?
Anyone who is serious about maintaining and improving their health will benefit from this type of care. Our patients expect the highest quality healthcare and service levels that exceed any they have experienced before.
Where do I go to get lab tests, x-rays and other diagnostic services?
Our office offers a full spectrum of medical services, including many common in-office procedures. Blood draw samples are done right here in the office, for example. For advanced diagnostic testing procedures not available in our office, we will work with you and your insurance provider to find the most appropriate provider and most convenient location
What if I need prescription medicine?
We will work with your preferred pharmacy and your insurance plan to help you obtain any needed prescriptions.
What if I move away or leave Dr. Niedfeldt’s practice?
Upon your request, we will gladly transfer your medical records to your new physician. The unused portion of your retainer fee will be refunded within 30 days notice, calculated from the first of the month following the month of the notice given. If you are relocating, ModernMed will be happy to assist you finding a new physician. Simply check out the website at www.modernmed.com or call 1-866-603-6777 for more information.
How does this work with my corporate benefits plan?
Employer Section 125 plans may cover the annual fee. Potentially compatible accounts include:
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Medical Savings Accounts (MSAs)
- Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs)
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Disclaimer: please note that ModernMed is neither an accounting firm nor a financial advisory firm and makes no guarantees regarding account compatibility with our practices. Please check with your accountant, financial advisor, or benefits administrator to confirm account compatibility.