How Much Does Concierge Medicine Cost in Chicago? What Your Membership Covers
Most people who look into concierge medicine reach the same question quickly: what does it cost, and what do I get for it? Those are the right questions to ask before joining any practice. At Dr. Sean Cahill's Streeterville practice, the annual membership fee is shared by phone rather than posted online, and a range of discounts is available for those who qualify. This guide covers what shapes concierge medicine cost in Chicago, exactly what the membership includes, and where your health insurance still plays a role.
Why the Price Starts With a Phone Call
Concierge practices set their fees in different ways, and a single published number rarely tells the whole story. Dr. Cahill's office discusses membership pricing directly so that you can ask about discounts, understand what is and is not included, and decide whether the model fits how you want to manage your health.
That conversation is also a good moment to talk through your expectations. Some people join for easier access when they are sick. Others are focused on prevention, a chronic condition or long-term planning. Knowing which matters most to you makes it easier to judge the value of a membership.
What the Annual Fee Covers
Dr. Cahill's practice does not bill insurance for his own medical services. Instead, those services are covered by the annual membership, which includes:
Longer appointments that are easy to schedule
A limited number of patients in the practice
An annual wellness visit
Annual screening blood tests, including a CBC, metabolic panel, A1c, lipids and thyroid testing
An annual screening EKG, if appropriate
Direct access to Dr. Cahill by phone and text
Virtual appointments as well as in-office visits
Routine follow-up visits for chronic disease management
Sick visits, generally the same or next day
Specialist care coordination
In other words, the fee pays for a relationship rather than a series of individual appointments. Follow-ups and sick visits are part of membership, not separate bills from the practice.
How the Fee Plays Out Over a Year
It can help to picture how a membership is used in practice. A typical year might begin with the annual wellness visit and screening labs, which Dr. Cahill reviews with you in detail. If something needs attention, such as rising blood pressure or a borderline A1c, follow-up visits to adjust the plan are part of membership rather than added costs from the practice.
Later in the year, a sinus infection or a nagging injury might mean a quick text and a sick visit the same or next day. A virtual appointment might cover a medication question while you are traveling. If you need a specialist, Dr. Cahill helps coordinate the referral and stays involved afterward.
Some years are quiet and some are busy. Members often find that the steady access matters most in the busy years, while the preventive focus is what keeps more years quiet. How much value you get will depend on your health, your goals and how actively you use the relationship.
Where Your Health Insurance Still Comes In
Membership is not a replacement for health insurance, and it helps to plan for that from the start. Members keep their insurance, and it is billed for:
Lab work beyond the annual screening panel
Vaccines given in the office, which are billed to insurance through VaxCare
Screening or diagnostic testing done outside the office
Specialist visits, emergency room care and hospital stays
The office keeps your insurance information on file so it can request authorization for medications or tests you may need. Thinking about membership as one part of your health spending, alongside your insurance plan, gives you a clearer picture of the total cost.
Paying for Membership: HSAs and Discounts
Some patients use their health savings accounts to pay the annual fee. Rules vary by plan, so check with your HSA administrator before you count on it.
Dr. Cahill's office also offers a range of discounts. When you call about pricing, ask whether you qualify.
How to Weigh Concierge Medicine Cost Against the Care You Have Now
Comparing a membership fee with a typical insurance copay is not quite an apples-to-apples comparison. A more useful approach is to think about what you would actually use and what you value:
Time. How often do you leave an appointment with questions you did not get to ask?
Access. How long does it take to get seen when you are sick, and how easy is it to reach your doctor between visits?
Continuity. Do you see the same physician each time, and does that physician know your history?
Prevention. Is anyone helping you plan ahead, whether that means longevity medicine, weight management or an executive health physical?
Traditional primary care and direct primary care both work well for many people, and neither is a wrong choice. If you are comparing models, our article on concierge medicine and direct primary care lays out the differences side by side.
The Physician Behind the Membership
Every member works directly with Dr. Sean Cahill. He is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Board of Pediatrics, is a Fellow of both the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and has more than twenty years of experience in the Chicago area. He also teaches medical students and residents as a faculty member at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. Learn more on the Meet Dr. Sean Cahill page.
Pricing Questions Worth Asking on Your First Call
Is the annual fee tax-deductible?
Tax treatment depends on your situation, so it is best to ask a tax professional. Some patients use their health savings accounts to pay the annual fee.
Do I still need health insurance if I join?
Yes. Insurance is still billed for labs outside the annual panel, office vaccines, outside testing, specialist visits, emergency care and hospitalizations.
What happens in an emergency?
Emergencies should go to the nearest emergency room or 911. Members can receive emergency care at any facility covered by their insurance, and Dr. Cahill is available to consult by phone with the emergency physicians. Emergency care is billed to your insurance.
How do I find out whether I qualify for a discount?
Ask when you call about pricing. The office can explain the discounts available and whether one applies to you.
What is the next step after I learn the price?
If the membership sounds like a fit, the office will schedule a Meet and Greet so you can meet Dr. Cahill before you join. The FAQ page answers other common questions.
Call for Current Membership Pricing
The clearest way to understand what concierge medicine would cost you is a short conversation. Ask about the annual fee, available discounts and what the membership includes, then decide whether a Meet and Greet makes sense.
To get current pricing, call Dr. Cahill's office or send a message through the contact page.
