MDVIP is the largest concierge medicine network in the United States, with over 1,100 affiliated physicians across 44 states serving approximately 400,000 members. If you’ve heard about concierge medicine and wondered how to find a practice that isn’t exclusively for the ultra-wealthy, MDVIP is likely the most accessible entry point. But what is MDVIP exactly — is it a doctor’s office, an insurance company, or something else entirely? Understanding the model before you commit your annual fee is essential.
MDVIP operates within the broader membership-based healthcare movement that includes direct primary care and independent concierge practices. This article focuses specifically on the MDVIP model — how it works, what it costs, what you get, and how to decide whether it’s the right fit for your primary care needs.
How MDVIP Works
MDVIP is a management company that partners with existing primary care physicians to convert their practices to a concierge model. The physician maintains their own independent practice but affiliates with MDVIP, which provides the business infrastructure: membership management, marketing, technology platforms, wellness program development, and administrative support.
When a physician joins MDVIP, they reduce their patient panel from the typical 2,000+ to no more than 600 patients. Existing patients are given the option to join the MDVIP membership or transition to a new physician. This panel reduction is what enables the enhanced experience — longer appointments, same-day availability, and direct physician access become possible when the doctor serves a fraction of the patients they previously managed.
MDVIP physicians still accept health insurance. When you visit your MDVIP doctor for a covered service, the office bills your insurer just like a traditional practice. Your insurance copays, deductible, and coinsurance still apply to those services. The MDVIP membership fee is a separate annual payment that covers enhanced access and the comprehensive wellness program — it’s not a substitute for health insurance.
MDVIP Membership Cost
The annual MDVIP membership fee is set by each individual physician, but most MDVIP practices charge between $1,800 and $2,200 per year. The most common price point is $1,800 annually, which works out to $150 per month. Some practices in higher-cost markets may charge up to $2,400. The fee is paid directly to the MDVIP physician’s office, typically annually, though some practices offer quarterly or semi-annual payment options.
This fee is per person — each adult family member who wants to be a patient pays their own annual membership. For a couple, that’s $3,600 to $4,400 per year. Children’s memberships may be available at a reduced rate, but not all MDVIP physicians see pediatric patients.
The membership fee is in addition to your regular health insurance costs. Your total primary care spending includes the MDVIP annual fee plus whatever insurance cost-sharing applies to office visits and services billed through insurance. While MDVIP’s fee is modest compared to premium concierge practices charging $5,000 to $10,000+, it’s still a meaningful addition to your annual healthcare costs.
What’s Included in MDVIP Membership
Every MDVIP membership includes a core set of benefits built around the MDVIP Wellness Program, which is the centerpiece of the membership value proposition.
Annual wellness evaluation. MDVIP’s wellness program includes a comprehensive annual exam that goes well beyond a standard physical. The evaluation typically includes over 150 health assessments: advanced cardiovascular screening, detailed metabolic blood panels, body composition analysis, cognitive screening, pulmonary function testing, and personalized health risk scoring. According to MDVIP, this evaluation takes 60 to 90 minutes — compared to the 15 to 20 minutes typical for a standard annual physical. Results are compiled into a personalized wellness plan with specific goals and follow-up benchmarks.
Same-day or next-day appointments. With a 600-patient cap versus 2,000+, MDVIP physicians have the schedule flexibility to accommodate same-day sick visits and next-day routine appointments. Members report dramatically reduced wait times compared to traditional practices.
Extended office visits. Standard MDVIP appointments run 30 minutes or longer — roughly double the traditional practice average. This extra time allows for more thorough discussion, unhurried examination, and collaborative decision-making.
24/7 physician access. MDVIP members can reach their doctor after hours through a dedicated phone line. The level of after-hours access varies by physician — some provide their personal cell number, while others use an answering service that pages them directly. For non-urgent questions, secure messaging through the MDVIP portal is available.
Care coordination. MDVIP physicians coordinate specialist referrals, help navigate hospital admissions, follow up after procedures, and serve as the central point of contact in your healthcare. When you’re dealing with multiple specialists, having one physician who oversees the full picture helps prevent conflicting treatments and missed follow-ups.
MDVIP Connect telemedicine. Virtual visit capability is built into the membership, allowing you to see your own MDVIP doctor via video or phone for appropriate concerns.
MDVIP’s Track Record
MDVIP has published research in peer-reviewed journals examining the outcomes of its model. A 2012 study in the American Journal of Managed Care found that MDVIP patients had significantly fewer hospital admissions (79% fewer) compared to a matched control group in traditional primary care. Members also had higher rates of preventive screening and better management metrics for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension.
The company reports that 93% of MDVIP members complete their annual wellness evaluation — a dramatically higher rate than the general population’s compliance with annual physicals. Higher screening and prevention rates are consistent with the model’s design: when your doctor has time and you have access, preventive care happens more reliably.
That said, selection bias complicates these outcomes. MDVIP patients have self-selected by choosing to pay for enhanced care, which correlates with higher health consciousness, higher income, and better baseline health behaviors. Attributing better outcomes solely to the MDVIP model — rather than to the characteristics of patients who join — requires caution.
How to Join MDVIP
Joining MDVIP starts with finding an affiliated physician near you. The MDVIP website (mdvip.com) has a doctor finder tool searchable by zip code, specialty interest, and insurance accepted. Not all MDVIP physicians are accepting new members — popular practices may have waiting lists.
Once you identify a physician, you’ll typically schedule a meet-and-greet appointment (often complimentary) to see if the practice is a good fit. If you decide to join, you’ll complete enrollment paperwork, pay the annual membership fee, and schedule your comprehensive wellness evaluation. Most practices coordinate the insurance verification process and can confirm your specific coverage before your first billed visit.
If your current doctor is converting to MDVIP, you’ll receive advance notice (typically 3 to 6 months) and the choice to join or transition to a new provider. The practice should assist with records transfer and provide referrals to other physicians if you choose not to join.
Potential Drawbacks of MDVIP
Despite its strong value proposition, MDVIP has legitimate limitations that prospective members should consider before committing.
Patient displacement during conversion. When a physician converts their traditional practice to MDVIP, the patient panel shrinks from 2,000+ to 600. That means roughly 1,400 patients must find new primary care providers — often in communities where new-patient availability is already limited. This displacement has drawn criticism from healthcare equity advocates who argue that concierge conversions worsen access for the patients left behind. MDVIP practices provide transition assistance and advance notice (typically 3 to 6 months), but finding a new PCP accepting patients can be difficult in provider-shortage areas.
The retainer doesn’t eliminate insurance costs. Since MDVIP practices bill insurance for covered services, you’ll still pay copays, deductible amounts, and coinsurance for office visits in addition to the annual retainer. For patients with high-deductible plans, this means paying the $1,800+ retainer and then paying out-of-pocket for each visit until the deductible is met. The total primary care cost can be significantly higher than traditional practice, especially for patients with fewer annual visits.
Geographic and physician variability. While MDVIP has 1,100+ physicians across 44 states, your experience depends entirely on your specific affiliated doctor. MDVIP provides the business framework, wellness program, and technology platform, but the physician’s clinical quality, communication style, and practice culture are individual. Some MDVIP practices receive outstanding patient reviews; others draw complaints about impersonal service or feeling like a “franchise.” Meeting the physician before joining is essential — the MDVIP brand doesn’t guarantee a universally consistent experience.
MDVIP vs. Direct Primary Care
MDVIP and DPC share the membership-based structure and smaller patient panels, but differ in cost and insurance interaction. MDVIP’s annual fee of $1,800 to $2,200 is higher than most DPC memberships ($600 to $1,800/year), and MDVIP practices still bill insurance for visits while DPC practices don’t bill insurance at all.
For patients with good insurance who want enhanced access layered on top of covered services, MDVIP works well. For patients who want to simplify their primary care relationship and step outside the insurance system entirely, DPC is the cleaner model. The DPC vs. concierge comparison article explores these trade-offs in depth.
MDVIP and Medicare: What Seniors Need to Know
Medicare beneficiaries represent a significant and growing portion of MDVIP’s membership. Understanding how MDVIP interacts with Medicare is important for seniors evaluating the model.
Most MDVIP physicians accept Medicare assignment, meaning they bill Medicare for covered office visits and services at Medicare-approved rates. Your MDVIP annual fee is separate from Medicare — it covers the enhanced wellness program, extended access, and smaller panel benefits that Medicare doesn’t recognize or reimburse. When you visit your MDVIP doctor for a covered medical service, Medicare pays its portion (typically 80% of the approved amount after the Part B deductible), and you’re responsible for the remaining 20% coinsurance (unless you have a Medigap supplement or Medicaid that covers it).
The MDVIP annual wellness evaluation is structured to include assessments and screenings that go beyond Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), which Medicare covers at $0 cost-sharing. The MDVIP wellness program includes the AWV components plus additional testing and health risk assessments that the retainer fee funds. This structure allows MDVIP to comply with Medicare regulations while offering a comprehensive evaluation that exceeds what Medicare alone would cover.
Seniors considering MDVIP should also consider how it interacts with Medicare Advantage plans. Some MA plans have network restrictions that may or may not include your MDVIP physician. If your MDVIP doctor is out-of-network for your MA plan, you could face higher cost-sharing for office visits — an expense that compounds with the annual retainer. Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement often pairs more cleanly with MDVIP because Original Medicare has no provider network restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does MDVIP accept Medicare?
Many MDVIP physicians accept Medicare. The annual membership fee is separate from Medicare billing — the fee covers the wellness program and enhanced access, while Medicare covers standard office visits and medical services. MDVIP structures its membership to comply with Medicare regulations, ensuring the annual fee doesn’t cover Medicare-eligible services.
Can I cancel my MDVIP membership?
Yes. MDVIP memberships are annual but can be canceled. Refund policies vary by physician — some offer prorated refunds if you cancel mid-year, while others have specific cancellation windows. Review the membership agreement’s cancellation terms before signing.
Is the MDVIP annual fee tax-deductible?
The IRS has not provided definitive guidance specific to MDVIP fees. Some tax advisors treat the fee as a medical expense (deductible to the extent total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income), while others view it as an access fee that doesn’t qualify. Consult a tax professional for guidance based on your situation.
What if there’s no MDVIP doctor near me?
MDVIP operates in 44 states but availability is concentrated in metro and suburban areas. If no MDVIP physician is near you, consider independent concierge practices or direct primary care practices, which are available in many markets where MDVIP hasn’t reached.
Is MDVIP Worth the Annual Fee?
MDVIP is worth considering if you value the comprehensive wellness evaluation, want guaranteed same-day access, and can comfortably afford the annual fee on top of insurance costs. The model delivers a genuinely better primary care experience — more time, more access, more prevention — than traditional practice for most patients. At $1,800 to $2,200 per year, it’s the most affordable tier of concierge medicine available at scale.
If the fee would be a financial strain, a lower-cost DPC membership offers similar enhanced access without the insurance billing layer — and often at half the annual cost. The right choice depends on your budget, how you use primary care, and whether the MDVIP wellness program’s comprehensive approach aligns with your health priorities.