Concierge practice is a healthcare model that puts the patient first. There’s no rushing you through appointments. It is a membership-based care model where a patient pays an annual fee to be a member of the practice.

At Lake Country Medical Concierge, we take a proactive approach to preventive treatment and wellness. We limit the number of patients at the practice, so we can offer additional benefits that are not possible in a traditional practice. The goal is to treat you when you want and need care.

Concierge medicine includes the same services as traditional medicine and includes expanded offerings such as:

• Prompt appointments and extended, relaxed visits
• Enhanced annual physicals customized to each patient’s unique health needs and goals
• Same-day and next-day visits for urgent issues
• Focus on wellness and disease prevention
• Personalized nutritional and fitness evaluations, lifestyle advice and guidance
• Advocacy and coordination of care with specialists as needed
• Direct telephone access, even after hours and on weekends

A concierge practice works especially well for patients who:

• Desire easy and direct communication with their doctor
• Prefer a doctor to address the root cause of illness, not just treat the symptoms
• Actively seek to take part in improving and maintaining their health
• Prefer a physician with traditional training and an open mind to non-traditional, holistic treatments (examples include health coaching and expertise in functional medicine)
• Would rather spend less time waiting in a doctor’s office

If you need to see a specialist, we will help you find the right doctor. We can consult with your specialist prior to your appointment, as needed.  After your specialist visit, we will follow up to discuss any of your questions or concerns, and arrange additional testing if needed.

If you have a life-threatening emergency, immediately call 911. A family member or caregiver can follow up with us later so we can be in contact with the emergency room.

For urgent problems that are not emergencies, you can contact us when you need to. Often, we can diagnose and treat a health issue without a visit to the ER. In fact, membership medicine has been shown to result in fewer ER visits because we can discuss your medical needs any time of the day or night. And you know you can see us the next day!

As your health care advocates, Dr. Chronos and his team will communicate directly with you and your loved ones, and help you to navigate the health care system. We will stay fully engaged, working to coordinate your care among any number of specialists while you are hospitalized. Plus, we will communicate with the hospitalist, review your plan of care, answer questions, and make recommendations when needed.

Good Samaritans Hospital, Lake Oconee

Piedmont Hospital, Athens

Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta

Emory University Hospital, Atlanta

Not at this time. However, we partner with The Harbor and The Glen, two senior living facilities in the Lake Oconee area, to provide embedded clinics for our patients living in those facilities.

Yes. You will still benefit from our membership if you relocate for part of the year or travel extensively. You may communicate with Dr. Chronos by phone, text, and email while away. You may also schedule video telemedicine calls to discuss your health, thereby receiving the benefits of remote monitoring. You will also have peace of mind knowing that we will oversee and coordinate your care while you are away.

If Dr. Chronos is away or unavailable, we will have coverage through another concierge physician. Depending on where Dr. Chronos is and what his schedule is like, he may be reachable for virtual appointments. We will notify you in advance via email when possible so you are aware ahead of time, and you will always know specifically who will be available to care for you when Dr. Chronos is away.

Yes. You will need health insurance or Medicare to pay for things such as lab work, specialist visits, diagnostic imaging, allied healthcare (e.g. physical therapy), medications, emergency care, hospitalizations, and other care that takes place outside our office. An insurance plan with a high deductible or a health savings account (HSA) may be a good fit for you. The office staff can help answer questions about insurance and concierge care.

It will be billed to your insurance much like a traditional practice. You will pay any out-of-pocket expenses, including co-pays and deductible for any follow-up appointments and sick visits. In addition, you will need to pay the portion that is determined by your insurance for any lab work, diagnostic imaging, visits to specialists, allied healthcare, hospitalizations, and medications.

Yes, we will bill your insurance for any non-covered concierge services. We include all internal medicine, cardiac, sick, injury and follow up visits in our concierge model. We are also participating providers with Medicare and most private insurances and we will bill Medicare or insurance on your behalf. LCMC is well suited to handle complicated medical issues often associated with seniors. We can spend the time necessary to manage chronic disease and the use of medications, and work together to ensure you have the best care.

No, you will need to pay for your membership fee out of pocket.