What MDVIP Is

MDVIP is a membership program that connects you with a primary care doctor who limits their patient load. Instead of a traditional insurance relationship, you pay an annual membership fee directly to MDVIP, and in return you get a doctor who sees fewer patients and spends more time with each one. The doctor is still licensed and board-certified; MDVIP straightforward changes how the practice is structured and funded.

You keep your regular health insurance. MDVIP membership does not replace it. Your insurance still covers hospital visits, specialists, lab work, and prescriptions. What MDVIP adds is a primary care relationship with more availability and longer appointment slots than most traditional practices offer.

MDVIP operates in all 50 states and has over 1,000 affiliated doctors in its network. You search for a participating physician in your area, pay the membership fee, and then use that doctor as your main point of contact for routine care.

Key Takeaways

  • MDVIP membership costs between $1,500 and $2,000 per year for most adults, though some markets charge more and some offer lower rates for younger members.
  • You pay the membership fee out of pocket; it is not covered by insurance, and you must also keep your regular health insurance active.
  • Your MDVIP doctor will typically see 600 patients or fewer, compared to 2,000 to 4,000 in a traditional practice, which means shorter wait times and longer visits.
  • MDVIP doctors can still bill your insurance for office visits and procedures, so you may have copays or coinsurance depending on your plan.
  • The membership includes preventive services like annual physicals, health screenings, and care coordination, but does not cover medications, specialist referrals, or hospital care.

How Much MDVIP Membership Costs

Annual membership fees range from roughly $1,500 to $2,000 for most adults, though the exact amount depends on your age, location, and the individual doctor's pricing. Some practices in high-cost areas charge more; some offer discounts for younger, healthier members. A few practices charge as little as $1,200 for members under 40.

MDVIP does not negotiate with insurance companies, so this fee is separate from your regular health insurance premiums. You pay it directly to the practice or to MDVIP itself, usually in one lump sum or monthly installments. Some employers and health plans offer MDVIP memberships as a benefit, which can reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket cost.

On top of the membership fee, you will still have copays or coinsurance when you visit the doctor, depending on what your insurance plan covers. If your insurance does not cover a service, you may owe the full cost. MDVIP membership does not change your insurance benefits.

What Is Included in Your Membership

MDVIP membership typically includes an annual comprehensive physical, unlimited office visits with your primary care doctor, same-day or next-day appointments, and direct phone or email access to your doctor outside normal office hours. Many practices also offer preventive health screenings, health coaching, and care coordination with specialists.

The exact services vary by practice. Some MDVIP doctors include certain lab work or imaging in the membership; others do not. Before you join, ask the practice for a written list of what is covered under the membership fee and what will be billed to your insurance or charged separately.

MDVIP membership does not cover medications, specialist visits, hospital stays, emergency care, or procedures performed outside the primary care office. Those services are still handled through your regular insurance. Your MDVIP doctor can refer you to specialists and coordinate your care, but the specialist visit is a separate transaction with your insurance.

How to Find and Join an MDVIP Practice

Start by visiting the MDVIP website and using their doctor finder tool. Enter your zip code and search for participating physicians near you. The tool shows each doctor's location, specialty, and sometimes their patient limit and membership fee.

Once you find a doctor you are interested in, contact the practice directly to confirm they are accepting new members. Some MDVIP practices have full patient rosters and are not taking new memberships. Ask about the membership fee, what is included, how appointments are scheduled, and whether they accept your insurance.

If the practice accepts you, you will sign a membership agreement and pay the annual fee. You will also need to provide your insurance information so the practice can bill your plan for office visits and services. Your membership is typically effective when ready or within a few days.

How MDVIP Works With Your Insurance

MDVIP doctors are in-network with most major insurance plans, though this varies by practice and by plan. When you visit your MDVIP doctor, the practice bills your insurance for the visit just like any other doctor would. You pay your copay or coinsurance at the time of the visit, and your insurance covers the rest according to your plan's terms.

The membership fee itself is not billed to insurance and is not tax-deductible as a medical expense. It is a separate, out-of-pocket cost. However, some employers offer MDVIP memberships as part of their health benefits package, in which case the employer may pay part or all of the fee.

If your MDVIP doctor orders lab work, imaging, or other services, those are billed to your insurance separately. The membership fee does not cover these services; your insurance does, subject to your plan's deductible and coinsurance.

Who MDVIP Works Best For

MDVIP membership is most useful if you value longer appointments, same-day access to your doctor, and a strong ongoing relationship with a single physician. It works well for people with chronic conditions who need frequent check-ins and care coordination, or for those who have had difficulty getting timely appointments in traditional practices.

It is less necessary if you rarely see a doctor, prefer to use urgent care or telemedicine for routine issues, or are satisfied with your current primary care arrangement. The membership fee is a real cost, and you should weigh it against how much you actually use primary care services.

MDVIP can also be a good fit if your employer offers it as a benefit, since you may pay little or nothing out of pocket. Some health plans and Medicare Advantage plans include MDVIP membership as part of the coverage, which eliminates the membership fee entirely.

What Happens If You Leave or Switch Doctors

If you cancel your MDVIP membership, you stop paying the annual fee and lose access to your MDVIP doctor's practice. Some practices offer prorated refunds if you cancel partway through the year, but this varies. Check your membership agreement for the cancellation policy.

If your MDVIP doctor leaves the network or closes their practice, MDVIP will typically help you find another participating doctor in your area. You may be able to transfer your membership to the new practice without paying an additional fee, though this depends on the circumstances and the practices involved.

If you move to a different area, you can search for a new MDVIP doctor in your new location. Your membership does not automatically transfer, but you can join a new practice in the same way you joined the first one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MDVIP the same as a health insurance plan?

No. MDVIP is a membership program that works alongside your regular health insurance. You must keep your insurance active. MDVIP changes how you access primary care, but it does not replace insurance coverage for hospitals, specialists, or emergency care.

Can I use MDVIP if I have Medicare?

Yes, but with limits. Some MDVIP practices accept Medicare, and some do not. If a practice accepts Medicare, you can use your Medicare benefits for office visits, and the practice will bill Medicare. You still pay the MDVIP membership fee separately. Some Medicare Advantage plans include MDVIP membership as a benefit.

What if my MDVIP doctor is out of network with my insurance?

This is rare but possible. If your MDVIP doctor is out of network, your insurance will pay less, and you will owe more out of pocket. Before you join, confirm that the doctor is in-network with your specific plan. You can check this on your insurance company's website or by calling the number on your insurance card.

Does MDVIP membership cover preventive care at no cost?

The annual physical and some preventive screenings are usually included in the membership fee. However, if your insurance requires a copay for preventive visits, you may still owe that copay. Ask the practice what preventive services are covered under the membership and what your insurance will charge.

Can I get a refund if I am not satisfied with my MDVIP doctor?

MDVIP and individual practices have different cancellation and refund policies. Some offer a trial period or money-back may provide; others do not. Read the membership agreement carefully before you sign, and ask about the refund policy in writing.