Amy Scott

Because by removing regulations, you create uncertainty.

And less certainty means companies might wait to make these investments that would save consumers money.

And less certainty means companies might wait to make these investments that would save consumers money.

I'm Kaylee Wells for Marketplace.

I'm Kaylee Wells for Marketplace.

It's getting harder to find a primary care doctor in this country, maybe you've noticed.

It's getting harder to find a primary care doctor in this country, maybe you've noticed.

And one reason is that a growing number of them are going into concierge medicine, meaning they charge patients a flat fee, a couple thousand dollars a year or more.

And one reason is that a growing number of them are going into concierge medicine, meaning they charge patients a flat fee, a couple thousand dollars a year or more.

To be part of their practice, these doctors are still a minority, but between 2018 and 2023, the number of practices charging an annual fee almost doubled, according to a study from Harvard.

To be part of their practice, these doctors are still a minority, but between 2018 and 2023, the number of practices charging an annual fee almost doubled, according to a study from Harvard.

Concierge doctors still bill insurance, too, but charging that annual fee means they can afford to see fewer patients and give the ones they do see more time and attention.

Concierge doctors still bill insurance, too, but charging that annual fee means they can afford to see fewer patients and give the ones they do see more time and attention.

Marketplace's Samantha Fields has our story.

Marketplace's Samantha Fields has our story.

Coming up...

Coming up...

All systems go.

All systems go.

But first, let's do the numbers.