After years in a traditional setting, Dr. Priya Patel launches a different kind of practice.
By Lisa Petty
“We all want to feel better,” says Dr. Priya Patel.
This simple statement is at the core of her complex mission at FeminologyMD, a concierge medical center for women.
Nearing the two-year mark, Patel’s innovative practice in University Park draws upon her certifications from both the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine, as well as years of previous experience in a traditional medical setting.
It was this traditional experience that sparked Dr. Patel’s desire to think outside the box for her patients.
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“I just felt that, in our current system, some patients were rushed. They’re scheduled for a 15-or 20-minute appointment, which is what insurance will cover, and you’re trying to help, but it’s much more complicated than time will allow,” she said. “No one’s trying to do a bad job. It’s just that everyone’s working within the system.”
Her solution? Change the system.
At FeminologyMD, Patel can focus on her patients’ overall health and wellness through a concierge business model. Services include gynecology, menopause care, and hormone optimization, as well as medical weight loss, nutrition, and aesthetics.
With fee-for-service billing, the center does not contract with insurance companies, though claims may be filed by patients with their insurance carriers where applicable.
This type of hyper-personalized, self-pay medical office isn’t right for everyone.
Determining whether it’s right for a patient starts with a chat. New patients begin with a sit-down conversation with Patel. Without a ticking time clock, these talks can last for up to an hour, and women are invited to share their health history, challenges, and concerns.
Thereafter, the FeminologyMD team will order individualized tests and devise a comprehensive, customized treatment plan to present to each patient.
Of course, right now, New Year’s resolutions are top of mind for so many — another area where a customized approach can benefit patients.
“I think resolutions are great, but don’t just make arbitrary goals,” she said. “You will do a lot better if you actually get an objective assessment of where you are, so that you can optimize your wellness journey. When you’re motivated, if you do the right things, you’re going to get a much better outcome.”
The bottom line? FeminologyMD is not about a quick fix for a symptom or a fad diet. At this medical center, a different business model allows the care team to get to know each woman as her own unique, whole individual.
“Functional medicine is about asking ‘why,’ not just handing out a prescription,” Patel said. “My favorite thing to hear is: ‘I didn’t even realize how bad I felt until I started feeling better.’”
