Twelve months of waiting for a cardiologist appointment through the National Health Fund. Six to twelve months for an MRI. In Poland, there are currently around 12,000 people with assets exceeding $1 million (HNWI) and about 500 ultra-wealthy individuals (UHNW, >$30 million) — and for them, such waiting lists are simply not an option.
Concierge medicine – why are affluent clients moving away from the traditional system?
Concierge medicine is a subscription-based model in which the patient pays a monthly or annual fee for exclusive, priority access to a primary care physician and coordinated specialist care. No waiting lines, no bureaucracy, often with home or phone visits at any time.
HNWI in Poland and their real health challenges
The classic system—even private packages in large networks—offers a faster appointment, but still: waiting rooms packed with people, zero discretion, the doctor sees 30 patients a day and barely remembers your name. For women managing funds, companies, or family fortunes, time is literally money, and privacy is a non-negotiable.
For this group, concierge care isn’t an extravagance. It’s an investment in health autonomy and longevity—a way to make informed, rapid medical decisions without guessing what comes next. That’s exactly why it’s increasingly becoming the new standard, not a luxury that needs justification.
How does concierge medicine work in practice
Concierge medicine is not just a “gold card from a clinic.” It’s a specific service model based on a monthly or annual subscription that provides access to a personal health manager. In Poland, packages for HNWI start at around 5,000–20,000 PLN/month, while in the USA the range is 2,000–20,000 USD/year—though top-tier programs can cost significantly more.
What does a typical concierge package for HNWI include
The basic structure looks more or less like this:
| Service | Specification |
|---|---|
| Consultations | Unlimited, including remote (video, chat) |
| Availability | 24/7 – the doctor answers at 3 a.m. |
| Visits | Home, hotel, even |
| Diagnostics | Genome, metabolome, VO₂max, DEXA, advanced biomarkers |
| Coordination | Specialists worldwide, second opinion, medical evacuation |
| Tech | AI triage, applications, wearables, health dashboard |
The key structural difference is that there is one doctor for about 50 patients (in the NFZ, it can be as many as 1:2000). That’s why you can usually get an appointment the same day, and each visit lasts 45-60 minutes—not just five.
Polish and global examples of concierge clinics
In Poland, well-known programs include Medivita, Akademia Kardiologii, Klonis Longevity, as well as VIP versions of Lux Med and Medicover Premium. Globally, MDVIP and PinnacleCare operate—these latter ones already integrate AI for biomarker analysis and have partnered with Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint. This foundation is what makes the benefits we discuss below possible in the first place.
Between Investing in Health and Systemic Inequalities
Choosing concierge medicine is a rational investment decision—provided you turn a blind eye to the ethical dilemma. On one hand, studies show measurable health improvements; on the other, critics openly warn about creating a two-tier system. It’s hard to remain neutral here.
Hard numbers: what HNWI really gain from concierge services
Data from the American MDVIP, the largest concierge network, speaks for itself: −49% hospitalizations compared to patients of the public healthcare equivalent, +21% effective preventive actions. Longevity biomarkers? For some clients, a +20% improvement in selected indicators within a year. Concierge care shifts the focus from reactive treatment to prevention—and it works.
We have our own case studies in Poland as well. Medivita: a manager with acute coronary syndrome, a doctor arrives by helicopter to a yacht—the patient survives. Klonis Longevity: a 55-year-old client, after 12 months in the program, “minus 10 years” in biological age (HRV, telomeres, VO₂max). Academy of Cardiology: TAVI procedure coordinated within 48 hours for a patient with an ejection fraction of 35%—with public healthcare, he would have waited months.
The most common criticisms of concierge medicine
Critics are not idle. The main lines of attack:
| Arguments for | Arguments against |
|---|---|
| Measurably better prevention and health outcomes | “Doctors for the wealthy” – staff drain from the National Health Fund |
| HNWI still pay high NFZ contributions (a regressive system) | “Salary ceilings” of concierge doctors (PLN 80,000/month) |
| The right to choose the quality of services | The dual-track system deepens inequalities |
| The patient is self-funded and does not burden the National Health Fund. | Professional ethics vs. the market – where is the line? |
Economists take a pragmatic view: HNWIs pay relatively high public health insurance contributions, which they barely use, and pay for concierge services out of their own pocket. It’s a fair service market—but the systemic consequences are real.
How to prepare for the new standard of care
Concierge medicine is still a niche luxury today, but all indications are that within the next 5-10 years, it could become an everyday reality for the top 1-5% of the wealthiest Poles. The market is growing rapidly—forecasts predict its value will triple to around PLN 1.5 billion in Poland by 2030, and eventually, up to half of HNWIs may use health subscriptions.
What will concierge medicine bring to HNWI by 2030
Three key trends: first, AI will take over up to 80% of initial diagnostics (triage, result analysis), significantly reducing response times. Second, genetics and longevity medicine will become standard in UHNW packages—with routine genome testing and biological age optimization. Third, the wealth transfer (Capgemini estimates: $83.5 trillion to the younger generation) means new HNWIs will expect a “digital-first” and proactive approach, not just reactive treatment.
Checklist: how to make a smart decision about concierge services
Before you decide, ask yourself honestly:
- Lifestyle – do you travel internationally often and need global medical logistics?
- Health risk – does your family history of diseases or your age justify intensive prevention?
- Privacy – how important is discretion to you (VIP entrances, no queues)?
- Questions for the clinic – doctor-to-patient ratio? Scope of diagnostics? AI integration? Cost transparency?
Also remember that regulatory changes are possible (limits on doctors leaving the NFZ, debates about “HNWI privileges”)—it’s worth keeping an eye on the legal landscape, but don’t put off taking care of your health.
Maja
healthcare & beauty editorial team
Premium Journalist for Luxury News
