Posted On: November 14, 2025
In today’s healthcare system, it’s all too common for patients to feel rushed, unheard, and uncertain after their appointments. Often overlooked are differences in how health conditions present and are treated across different genders, especially for women. Short visits, long waits, and limited access can make it difficult for you to build the kind of relationship that leads to truly personalized care and helps you thrive throughout every stage of life.
After more than 25 years in medicine, I’ve seen how these systemic pressures affect both patients and physicians—and how they get in the way of what most of us want: time to listen, to understand, and to focus on prevention and long-term, whole-body wellbeing.
That’s why I founded my concierge internal medicine practice: to reimagine primary care as it was meant to be—personal, proactive, and deeply attuned to your unique health journey.
Concierge medicine, also called membership-based medicine or direct primary care, is a model that prioritizes quality over quantity. Instead of managing thousands of patients and rushing through 15-minute appointments, concierge physicians maintain much smaller patient panels—typically ranging from 100 to 600 patients, compared to the 2,000 to 3,000 patients in a traditional practice.
This “smaller” panel size makes all the difference. It enables physicians to develop deeper relationships with you, spend unhurried time understanding your unique health story, and focus on preventing illness rather than simply treating it when it appears. We shift from asking “How do we add years to your life?” to “How do we add life to your years?”—from lifespan to healthspan.
In a concierge model, you pay an annual membership fee for enhanced access and comprehensive primary care services. This investment in your health transforms the doctor-patient relationship from transactional to truly collaborative, allowing us to focus on your total well-being—physical, mental, and emotional.
While concierge medicine can benefit anyone seeking a higher standard of primary care, certain individuals find it particularly transformative:
People navigating midlife changes. Whether you’re experiencing perimenopause/menopause, rising blood pressure, sleep disturbances, arthritis, or other general shifts that come with aging, having a physician who has the time to address the full spectrum of your changing needs can be life-changing. These transitions require nuanced, individualized approaches that simply cannot be addressed in rushed appointments.
Those with complex health histories or multi-symptom conditions. If you’re managing multiple chronic conditions, experiencing symptoms that don’t fit into neat diagnostic boxes, or dealing with conditions that require thoughtful integration of various treatment approaches, the time and attention available in concierge medicine becomes essential.
Anyone focused on prevention and long-term wellness. If you view your health as an investment rather than something to address only when problems arise, concierge medicine aligns perfectly with your values. Concierge physicians emphasize proactive screening and personalized prevention strategies designed to keep you healthy for decades to come.
Busy professionals and caregivers. If your schedule is demanding and you need flexible appointment options, reduced wait times, and efficient care coordination, concierge medicine eliminates the frustrating inefficiencies that plague traditional practices. Whether you need a telehealth visit that fits between meetings or same-day appointments for urgent concerns, concierge physicians work around your life.
Concierge medicine membership fees typically range from $2,000 to $10,000 annually, with some luxury practices charging tens of thousands of dollars per year. This fee is an out-of-pocket expense not covered by health insurance, though many Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) will reimburse a portion of the membership fee—it’s worth checking with your specific plan.
The fee structure and what it includes vary significantly between practices, which is why it’s crucial to look beyond the price tag and evaluate the overall value of the services you’re receiving.
This is one of the most common questions I receive, and it’s important to understand the different approaches practices take.
Some concierge practices work within the insurance system, while others—like mine—choose to operate outside of it.
Those practices that work within the insurance system are typically in-network. In addition to charging a membership fee (which insurance does not cover), they bill your insurance for each visit with the doctor as well as for labs, imaging, and procedures. This means you may incur co-pays, deductibles, and unexpected charges, which can create financial uncertainty and administrative complexity.
A growing number of physicians including me are making the deliberate decision to stay out-of –network with insurance. While you still use your insurance for services outside their practice, such as labs and imaging, these physicians do not bill insurance for the time they spend with you during your office visits . This is because we believe insurance constraints interfere with the physician-patient relationship and our ability to provide you with the best possible care.
Here’s why: insurance companies sometimes dictate that you can only discuss one issue per appointment. They may not allow preventive and problem-focused questions in the same visit.They impose rigid standards and protocols that may not align with your individual needs. They create administrative burdens that consume time physicians would rather spend with you. By stepping outside this system, we have the freedom to focus entirely on personalized, preventive care that puts your needs first—not insurance company requirements.
This out-of-network concierge model works best with certain types of insurance plans. Private insurance (like PPO and some High Deductible plans) and Traditional (Original) Medicare plans typically provide the most flexibility, allowing you to see most physicians as your primary care doctor and other specialists without restrictive referrals. Unfortunately, HMO plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicaid typically require you to use only in-network providers and primary care doctors within their specific system.
My panel of only several hundred members represents a careful balance that allows me to provide personalized care while building a strong practice community. From our first meeting, we focus on proactive, preventive care grounded in science and evidence-based medicine but deeply personalized to you.
The process starts with an extensive 90-minute new member visit—a comprehensive deep dive into your health history, concerns, goals, and vision for your health. We establish a strong baseline and create a roadmap for where you want to go.
The cornerstone of our approach is your comprehensive annual health assessment (60-90 minutes), which includes:
Your membership also includes comprehensive wellness services at no extra cost: annual nutrition counseling and a full functional fitness assessment each year. These aren’t add-ons—they’re integral to supporting your total health and well-being.
Throughout my 25-year career, I have treated patients of all genders and continue to do so. I’m board-certified in internal medicine and a fellow of the American College of Physicians, and I’ve been recognized as a top doctor for 18 consecutive years. This foundation in comprehensive internal medicine means I can manage the full spectrum of adult health conditions with expertise and confidence.
What makes my practice unique is the combination of deep internal medicine expertise with advanced, specialized training in women’s health, menopause management, osteoporosis treatment, and the complex hormonal transitions that women experience throughout their lives. Through years of active practice, I’ve developed a level of knowledge and skill in these areas that’s rare among internists in our region.
No other internist in our area offers this particular combination—the ability to manage complex, multi-system health conditions while also providing evidence-based women’s health care, all within the personalized context of primary care.
Just as importantly, I provide compassionate guidance through the life changes that can feel isolating or confusing. My goal is to foster comfort, trust, and the confidence that comes from truly understanding what’s happening in your body and having a clear path forward.
Exceptional access is foundational to how we practice:
Think of it as having a doctor in the family—someone who knows your complete story and guides you through the healthcare system with expertise and genuine care.
We are out-of-network with insurance plans and operate on an “all-inclusive” membership model. Your annual membership fee covers all visits with me—whether for your comprehensive annual exam, follow-up appointments, urgent visits, or annual nutrition and fitness consultations. There are no surprise fees, no co-pays for seeing me, and complete clarity about what you’re paying for. You still use your health insurance for services outside our practice, including laboratory tests, imaging studies, vaccines, specialist visits, prescriptions, and any hospitalizations.
Not all concierge practices are created equal. When evaluating your options, look beyond the membership fee and consider:
If you’ve been feeling frustrated by rushed appointments and reactive care, there’s a better way. Concierge medicine represents a return to what healthcare should be: deeply personal, and built on time, trust, and partnership.
When you join a concierge practice, you gain a true partner in your health journey—someone who knows your story, understands your goals, and has both the time and expertise to help you achieve them.
If you’re already a member of Eileen West, MD and Associates, please take full advantage of everything we offer—from your comprehensive annual assessment to nutrition counseling to direct access when significant concerns arise. If you have questions about maximizing your membership, reach out. We’re here for you.
If you’re considering concierge medicine, I invite you to schedule a complimentary membership consultation. We’ll discuss your health concerns and goals to see if our care model is the right fit. There’s no obligation—just an opportunity to explore a different approach to your healthcare.
Your health is your most valuable asset. Investing in personalized, preventive care is one of the most meaningful steps you can take for your long-term well-being.
Leading the way in women's healthcare is renowned board-certified internal medicine doctor Dr. Eileen West. She has over 20 years of experience and is recognized for her expertise in menopause, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease prevention. Her excellence-driven compassionate approach, which is associated with the American College of Physicians, improves the lives of her patients by putting a strong emphasis on their overall well-being.
Location: Fairfax, Virginia
Areas of Expertise: Women's Health, Menopause Management, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention, Osteoporosis Diagnosis and Treatment.
🎉 Celebrating 6 Years of Exceptional Care! 🎉 This month marks the 6th anniversary of Eileen West, MD & Associates — six years of providing personalized, evidence-based care through our concierge internal medicine and women’s health practice right here in Northern Virginia. From preventive medicine and comprehensive primary care to menopause management, we’re proud to offer women and men a thoughtful, relationship-based approach to their health. A heartfelt thank you to our members and community for your trust, loyalty, and partnership in care over these years. We look forward to continuing to deliver compassionate, unhurried, and expert care for many more to come. 💙 Here’s to the next chapter of concierge medicine and menopause care in Virginia — where your health always comes first. #EileenWestMD #ConciergeMedicine #MenopauseCare #WomensHealth #InternalMedicine #NorthernVirginia #PatientCenteredCare #Anniversary
So much dedication, love, and strength goes into caring for someone else, whether it’s an aging parent, a partner facing illness, or a child with complex needs. But here’s the truth: you can’t pour from an empty cup! Caregivers are at higher risk for burnout, depression, sleep issues, and chronic stress-related conditions; and you may not notice it until your own health starts to suffer. If you're a caregiver, please take time this week to check in with yourself. You deserve that same compassion you so freely give to others. #eileenwestmd
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