Small vs. Large Concierge Primary Care: Which Is Right for You?

Concierge primary care has become increasingly popular as patients look for more personalized, accessible, and preventive healthcare. With this model, patients pay a membership fee in exchange for direct access to their physician and longer, more focused visits.

But not all concierge practices are the same. Some are large, national organizations with hundreds of affiliated physicians, while others — like Woodside Internal Medicine — are smaller, independent practices serving a local community. Each model has its strengths, but for many patients, the smaller approach provides distinct advantages.

🌟 What Large Concierge Groups Offer

• National Networks: Larger organizations often operate across many states, with standardized systems and brand recognition.

• Broader Perks: Some offer travel medicine programs, specialty referral networks, or wellness perks like nutrition counseling or fitness programs.

• Administrative Scale: Big groups may have robust infrastructure for scheduling, billing, and digital portals. These features can be appealing, especially to frequent travelers or those who want bundled services.
  

🌿 What Small, Independent Concierge Practices Offer

1. Truly Personalized Care

Smaller practices usually serve a much smaller patient panel than large systems. This means your physician knows you personally, remembers your history, and tailors care plans specifically to your life and goals.

2. Direct Relationship With Your Doctor

In big systems, communication often filters through call centers or staff. In a smaller practice, you often text, email, or call your physician directly, without layers of bureaucracy.

3. Flexibility and Customization

Independent practices can adjust memberships, visit structures, or add-on services (like executive memberships or family discounts) more easily than large corporate models bound by uniform contracts.

4. Continuity and Trust

With a smaller practice, you’re building a long-term relationship with a physician who isn’t being rotated through a large corporate network. That continuity fosters trust and better health outcomes.

5. Local, Community-Based Care

Smaller concierge practices are rooted in the community. They often partner with local specialists, imaging centers, and hospitals — and understand the healthcare landscape where you live.

⚖️ Which Is Right for You?

• Choose a larger concierge group if you value national networks, structured perks, and brand familiarity.

• Choose a smaller practice if you want individualized care, direct access to your doctor, and the comfort of a local, community-focused approach.
  

💬 Bottom Line

Concierge primary care is about reclaiming time, attention, and quality in medicine. While both large and small models can deliver on that promise, patients who prioritize deep relationships, flexibility, and personal connection often find that smaller practices — like Woodside Internal Medicine — provide a level of attention and trust that simply can’t be replicated at scale.

Feature	Small Concierge Practices (e.g., Woodside Internal Medicine)	Large Concierge Groups
Patient Panel Size	Very small; physician knows each patient personally	Larger panels, more standardized
Access to Physician	Direct phone, text, or email with your doctor	Often routed through staff or call centers
Care Style	Highly individualized, flexible, community-based	Standardized, structured, often “one-size-fits-all”
Continuity	Same doctor long-term, focused relationship	Possible turnover or rotation in larger networks
Customization	Flexible membership tiers (individual, family, executive options)	Less flexibility; contracts tend to be uniform
Special Perks	Community focus, local partnerships	National perks like travel medicine, broad referral networks
Feel	Warm, personalized, relationship-driven	Corporate, structured, scalable

✍️ This blog is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. For details about membership options at Woodside Internal Medicine, visit woodsidemd.com