St. Louis doctors cut fees to see fewer patients

St. Louis patients can now pay $2,500 a year for a primary care doctor who guarantees 24/7 access and longer visits. This model, known as concierge medicine or direct primary care, is gaining traction as a response to a national shortage of primary care physicians. Local employers are also stepping in with new benefits that cover these costs, aiming to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for their staff.

The shift began with physicians leaving large health systems where scheduling pressures limited patient interaction time. Dr. Hilary Bensinger, a board-certified internist in Town and Country, opened an independent practice after feeling unable to provide thorough care in a traditional setting. Her practice does not accept insurance. Instead, it charges the $2,500 annual fee for services including preventive screenings, lifestyle guidance, and direct communication with the doctor.

Other local providers operate under different structures. BJC HealthCare runs a concierge service on North Mason Road with four physicians. That practice accepts insurance and charges a $1,980 annual membership. MDVIP supports a network of doctors in St. Louis, O’Fallon, Town and Country, and Creve Coeur, with fees varying by physician. SSM Health offers a different approach through Express Virtual Care, which handles minor issues like colds and allergies. Patients pay between $41 and $61 for these visits without using insurance.

Employers are increasingly funding these services directly. The Gateway Business Health Coalition is preparing to offer members access to Rezilient Health. This St. Louis-founded company uses a model where employers pay for the benefit, allowing eligible employees to use telehealth and in-person CloudClinics at no cost. The clinics use connected medical equipment that streams patient data to remote physicians.

Dr. Danish Nagda, founder and CEO of Rezilient, describes the service as a combination of virtual and physical care. He states the goal is to solve access challenges for employers. Laurel Pickering, president and CEO of the Business Health Coalition, notes that employers are adding this benefit because they see its value in expanding care access.

Employees using Rezilient do not have to change their existing primary care doctors. The service is designed to supplement current medical relationships rather than replace them. Pickering emphasizes that maintaining a primary care physician remains central to better health and lower costs.

The next major step is the rollout of the Rezilient benefit through the Business Health Coalition. Employers are currently in the process of integrating this new option into their benefits packages for eligible staff.