There was a time when a medical provider came to your home, and most likely knew you and your entire family by first name. Fast–forward to 2015 and our health care system is at the opposite end of that spectrum. With a goal of personalizing care again, two local medical professionals opened Gainesville’s first concierge medical practice, Celebrate Primary Care. Della Tuten and Lisa Magary, the owners/nurse practitioners, are purpose-focused when it comes to their role as health care providers.
After years of experience in traditional primary care, Tuten and Magary decided they needed to take action to reinvent how they helped their patients. The duo began researching direct primary care practices across the country, and it became evident that the direct model was in line with their mission to provide excellent, affordable primary care service 24/7.
According to Tuten, direct primary care means treating patients when they need it, never rushing through appointments or making them wait, and being proactive with health care.
“Our patients are our number one priority, and we strive to provide quality service,” Tuten said.
Celebrate Primary Care does not accept insurance, instead they work directly with the patient. Members have unlimited access to the providers as well as up to 90 percent off medications and labs. Ideally, the membership is best in combination with lower-cost insurance policies to cover emergencies and hospital stays.
For Businesses, the membership service translates is into a cost-effective alternative to health insurance for employees. The concierge service includes office visits, which can be beneficial to both employee and employer.
• WHAT SETS CELEBRATE PRIMARY CARE APART FROM OTHER PRACTICES?
We have shrugged the bureaucracy. We have shredded red tape. In refusing to recognize any interference with the sanctity of the patient/ provider relationship, we have returned family practice medicine to its root values of clinical excellence for and compassionate knowledge of every patient.
• IS CONCIERGE MEDICINE THE SAME AS DIRECT PRIMARY CARE?
The terms are often used interchangeably, and essentially refer to the same thing.
• WILL MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM CELEBRATE PRIMARY CARE EVEN IF THEY DON’T REQUIRE FREQUENT MEDICAL ATTENTION?
Of course. We might argue that everyone benefits from a service tailored directly to them. That’s why we offer custom health care. Our practice is devoted to the maintenance of your good health, to the enhancements of your daily experience that only physical well-being can bring.