News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel

News, Analysis, Trends, Management Innovations for
Clinical Laboratories and Pathology Groups

Hosted by Robert Michel
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Boutique Medicine Venture Generates Marketing Intelligence for Procter & Gamble

Consumer products giant acquires 100% ownership of concierge medicine company

Clinical laboratories and pathology groups may soon be serving physician practices owned by Procter & Gamble (P&G) (NYSE:PG). That’s because the consumer products giant now owns 100% of MDVIP, a nationwide concierge practice of 350 doctors in 28 states.

The deal is noteworthy because it further expands Procter & Gamble’s presence in healthcare. In 2006, P&G invested $325 million in a joint venture with Inverness Medical (NYSE:IMA). The joint venture announced its intention to develop and market diagnostic test kits for use by consumers that can be sold in retail outlets. At the time, The Dark Report wrote that, “P&G’s interest in consumer self testing is based on its belief that consumer demand for health services and healthcare products will soar in the coming decades.”  (See The Dark Report, June 4, 2007, “ Inverness Buys Biosite, Has New Venture with P&G” )

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More Doctors Consider Concierge Medicine as Healthcare Reform Looms

Concern about lower reimbursement sparks MD interest in concierge practice model

Fear about the far-reaching consequences of healthcare reform-and the potential for dramatic reductions in physician reimbursement-has triggered a surge in physician participation in concierge medicine.

Concierge medicine, sometimes also called boutique medicine, has been around since 1996. However, with healthcare reform now eminent, more doctors are choosing this option. A New York Times article published in 2005 estimated that 250 doctors with 100,000 patients participated in concierge medicine at that time. Today, approximately 5,000 U.S. primary care doctors operate a concierge practice, according to the Society for Innovative Medical Practice Design, a professional association of concierge physicians.

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