The DocPreneur Leadership Podcast

Episode Summary By Concierge Medicine Today JANUARY 2026 - Concierge medicine and direct primary care didn't just grow — they surged more than 80% in five years. Headlines are spinning this as a threat to access and equity. But is that the full story? In this episode, the Editor-In-Chief of the industry's trade publication, Concierge Medicine Today, author and Host, Michael Tetreault, breaks down the latest national research and explains what's really happening beneath the surface. This isn't about luxury medicine. It's about physician burnout, broken reimbursement models, administrative overload, and doctors quietly redesigning their careers to survive. You'll hear why this shift is less about "escaping responsibility" and more about reclaiming sustainability, why corporate ownership is rising fast, and why concierge medicine didn't create the primary care shortage — it exposed it. If you care about the future of medicine, physician retention, and building healthcare that actually works, this conversation matters. 📝 Show Notes The healthcare landscape is changing fast — and the data finally caught up. New national research published in Health Affairs reveals that concierge medicine and direct primary care practices increased by more than 80% between 2018 and 2023. Instead of reacting with panic or political spin, this episode zooms out to examine what's really driving this shift. Michael explores how flat Medicare reimbursement, prior authorization overload, and rising burnout are pushing physicians toward alternative practice models. He explains why many doctors moving into membership-based care were already considering early retirement or leaving medicine altogether — and how smaller patient panels may actually extend clinical careers. You'll also hear why the rapid rise in corporate ownership deserves attention, what the growth of nurse practitioners and physician assistants means for team-based care, and why access concerns are fundamentally a payment reform issue, not a physician ethics problem. Along the way, there's a little humor, a little reality check, and a lot of clarity about what healthcare leaders should be paying attention to right now. 🔍 What You'll Learn in This Episode Why concierge medicine growth is a market signal, not a trend What's really driving physicians away from traditional primary care How burnout, reimbursement cuts, and admin burden are reshaping careers Why corporate ownership is accelerating in membership-based care What the data actually says about workforce redistribution Why concierge medicine didn't cause the primary care shortage What policymakers and healthcare leaders should focus on next 📊 Research Referenced Growth and workforce trends referenced in this episode are based on national data published in Health Affairs and supported by reporting from Harvard Medical School, Johns Hopkins University, the American Medical Association, MedPAC, and the Association of American Medical Colleges. Full Source Citations 1. Growth of Concierge & DPC Practices (Primary Study) Song Z, Zhu J, Marsh T, Polsky D, Huntington A. Growth and Characteristics of Concierge and Direct Primary Care Practices, 2018–2023. Health Affairs. December 2024. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.XXXX Note: Health Affairs publishes under rolling DOI assignment. Use the article title and journal reference if DOI suffix updates. 2. Harvard Medical School News Release Summary Harvard Medical School. Study examines rapid growth of concierge and direct primary care practices. Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School News. December 2024. https://hms.harvard.edu/news/study-examines-rapid-growth-concierge-direct-primary-care-practices 3. Medicare Payment Pressure and Physician Reimbursement Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). Report to the Congress: Medicare Payment Policy — Physician Services Chapter. March 2024. https://www.medpac.gov/document/march-2024-report-to-the-congress-medicare-payment-policy/ 4. Prior Authorization Burden American Medical Association. 2023 AMA Prior Authorization Physician Survey. American Medical Association. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/prior-authorization/2023-ama-prior-authorization-survey 5. Physician Burnout Trends American Medical Association. National Physician Burnout Survey Results. 2023–2024. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/national-physician-burnout-survey 6. Primary Care Physician Shortage Projections Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections From 2021 to 2036. June 2024 Update. https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/report/physician-shortage 7. Early Retirement & Workforce Attrition Shanafelt TD, et al. Changes in Burnout and Satisfaction With Work-Life Integration in Physicians and the General US Working Population. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2019. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M18-2790 8. Advanced Practice Clinician Workforce Growth U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants. 2024–2025 Edition. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare 9. Administrative Burden Impact on Physician Time Sinsky C, et al. Allocation of Physician Time in Ambulatory Practice. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M16-0961 🎧 Recommended For Physicians considering concierge, hybrid, or DPC models Practice owners and administrators Healthcare investors and operators Policy professionals and analysts Anyone tracking the future of primary care 📢 Share This Episode If this episode resonated with you, share it with a colleague who's asking hard questions about sustainability, burnout, or the future of their practice. These conversations shape the next generation of care. Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Nothing discussed in this episode should be construed as medical, legal, financial, tax, or professional advice. The content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. The views expressed by the host and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of any employers, organizations, sponsors, or affiliates. Always seek the advice of qualified professionals regarding individual healthcare or business decisions. Listening to this podcast does not establish a physician-patient, advisor-client, or professional relationship.

The Mind-Body Rebellion 💥🧠💪 — Reclaiming Alignment, Energy, and the Self You've Been Missing 🎙️ Guest Description: ✨ The Mind-Body Rebellion isn't about fixing what's broken—it's about remembering who you are. Built for high-functioning humans who look "fine" on the outside but feel misaligned beneath the surface, this six-month experience blends intentional movement, mindset recalibration, and nervous-system regulation to create deep, identity-level transformation. LEARN MORE AND CONNECT: https://www.rebelliousstudio.com/the-mind-body-podcast Through The Angelova Method 🔥, a rebellious alternative to conventional fitness and mindset work, our guest guides people into embodied self-mastery—cultivating grounded confidence, magnetic presence, and unapologetic inner power. This conversation explores what happens when personal growth stops living in your head and finally takes root in your body.

Dr. Brandon Colby, a physician and CEO of Sequencing.com, teams up with Dr. Celia Egan, a board-certified physician and Director at true. Women's Health, to discuss the transformative power of whole genome sequencing in personalized women's healthcare. They explore how genomic insights can enhance care for women, especially during midlife and menopause. Discover the importance of tailoring treatments based on genetic risks and the practical steps for integrating these innovations into routine care for improved wellness.

In this episode of The DocPreneur Leadership Podcast, we unpack a recent article written by a fellow clinician—one that suggested physicians already possess everything needed to run a successful practice. While the heart of that message is encouraging, the realities of leading a practice today are far more complex than discipline and vision alone. This conversation explores what the article gets right, what it unintentionally leaves out, and why blending clinical excellence with business clarity is essential in a changing healthcare landscape. We discuss how practice ownership demands a different kind of leadership—one built on messaging, systems, sustainability, and support. And we highlight why advisors, business-minded peers, and outside perspectives bring a level of clarity and structure that empowers clinicians rather than diminishes their independence. Most importantly, we talk about what clinicians can learn from the broader world of business—how clarity reduces friction, how consistency builds trust, and how the right support can turn hard work into lasting momentum. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or professional business advice. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why core clinical strengths don't automatically translate into business systems How oversimplified business advice can set clinicians up for avoidable frustration The difference between clinical leadership and business leadership Why no practice thrives in isolation—and how the right support fosters sustainability How business clarity amplifies, rather than replaces, clinical excellence Simple, practical mindset shifts that help clinicians lead their practices with more confidence Who This Episode Is For Physicians, PAs, NPs, practice managers, and healthcare leaders exploring how to stabilize, strengthen, or grow a patient-centered practice model—without becoming overwhelmed by the business side of medicine.

Our guest today is Dr. Julie Chen, the Chief Medical Officer at Radence. She previously served as Chief Medical Officer at companies such as Human Longevity and Vitagene. Her research, at the FDA, NIH, National Cancer Institute, USC, and Mount Sinai, has shaped scientific advancement in precision medicine. As a fellowship-trained integrative internal medicine physician, she developed numerous corporate wellness programs in Silicon Valley focusing on whole-systems approach to healthcare. Dr. Chen is a frequent medical expert on major media outlets, including ABC, NBC, FOX, and MSN, and she has been featured in national magazines and podcasts. In 2023, she was named one of the Top 25 Women Leaders in Biotechnology by Healthcare Technology Report for her leadership in health tech development. Dr. Chen is a member of the Buck Institute's President's Circle, dedicated to advancing research in aging and longevity. Website and social media: www.radence.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-chen-md-89035b14/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/radencehealth/posts/?feedView=all https://www.instagram.com/radencehealth/ This episode would be a rare opportunity to hear from one of medicine's most forward-looking voices on how personalized science, emerging technologies, and a proactive mindset are reshaping health span. LEARN MORE ABOUT RADENCE: https://radence.com/insights-lab/redesigning-medicine-from-the-inside-out/

Patients don't stay for a tax deduction — they stay because they feel known. That's something no federal incentive can legislate. 🩺