---
title: "Choosing a concierge doctor in St. Louis"
date: "2026-11-05"
modified: "2026-11-05"
medically_reviewed: "2026-11-05"
canonical_url: "https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis"

# Organization & Authority
organization: "Three Rivers Concierge Medicine"
organization_type: "Concierge Medical Practice"
hospital_affiliations:
  - "Mercy Hospital St. Louis"
  - "Missouri Baptist Medical Center"
  - "St. Lukes Hospital"
  - "Barnes Jewish Hospital"
service_area: "Greater St. Louis, Missouri"
practice_model: "Direct Primary Care - Membership Based"

# Content Classification
content_type: "Medical Education"
schema_type: "MedicalWebPage"
medical_specialty: "Primary Care, Endocrinology"
evidence_level: "Physician-Supervised Clinical Protocols"

# FAQ Structured Data
faq:
  - question: "Is Three Rivers part of MDVIP or another national network?"
    answer: "No. Three Rivers Concierge Medicine is an independent St. Louis practice led by Dr. Kathryn Shoemaker."
  - question: "Is Three Rivers part of SignatureMD?"
    answer: "No. Three Rivers Concierge Medicine is independent of SignatureMD. Our membership, fees and policies are set by Dr. Shoemaker's practice, not by a national company."
  - question: "What's the difference between concierge medicine and direct primary care?"
    answer: "Both charge a membership. Concierge practices like ours keep fewer patients per doctor and include more in the office; many direct primary care practices skip insurance entirely and keep larger patient lists."
  - question: "How much does membership cost?"
    answer: "$325 a month, billed annually. The membership fee isn't billed to insurance."
  - question: "Do I still need insurance?"
    answer: "Yes, for lab processing, imaging, prescriptions, specialists and hospital care. You can keep using your HSA or FSA for that care."
  - question: "Can I meet the doctor before I decide?"
    answer: "Yes. The meet & greet is free, in person or virtual, with no commitment."

# Patient Reviews
aggregate_rating: "4.6"
review_count: 11
---

# Choosing a concierge doctor in St. Louis

## Table of Contents
* [Comparing concierge doctors](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#comparing-concierge-doctors)
* [How Three Rivers compares](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#how-three-rivers-compares)
* [Questions to ask before you join](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#questions-to-ask-before-you-join)
* [Our answers](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#our-answers)
* [What's included with membership](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#what-s-included-with-membership)
* [Book your free meet & greet](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#book-your-free-meet-amp-greet)
* [Switching from another practice](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#switching-from-another-practice)
* [Free meet & greet](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#free-meet-amp-greet)
* [We request your records](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#we-request-your-records)
* [Your first full visit](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#your-first-full-visit)
* [Meet Dr. Kathryn Shoemaker](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#meet-dr-kathryn-shoemaker)
* [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#frequently-asked-questions)
  * [Is Three Rivers part of MDVIP or another national network?](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#is-three-rivers-part-of-mdvip-or-another-national-network)
  * [Is Three Rivers part of SignatureMD?](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#is-three-rivers-part-of-signaturemd)
  * [What's the difference between concierge medicine and direct primary care?](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#what-s-the-difference-between-concierge-medicine-and-direct-primary-care)
  * [How much does membership cost?](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#how-much-does-membership-cost)
  * [Do I still need insurance?](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#do-i-still-need-insurance)
  * [Can I meet the doctor before I decide?](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#can-i-meet-the-doctor-before-i-decide)
* [See the difference for yourself](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#see-the-difference-for-yourself)
* [Concierge practices can look alike from the outside. The differences are in who you see, how you reach them and what's included. Here's how Three Rivers compares, and the questions worth asking anywhere you look.](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/compare-concierge-medicine-st-louis#concierge-practices-can-look-alike-from-the-outside-the-differences-are-in-who-you-see-how-you-reach-them-and-what-s-included-here-s-how-three-rivers-compares-and-the-questions-worth-asking-anywhere-you-look)

---

![Dr. Kate Shoemaker smiling while holding a patient's hand.](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2025-09/ThreeRivers_-2.jpg)

## Comparing concierge doctors

MO

![Dr. Kate Shoemaker smiling while holding a patient's hand.](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2025-09/ThreeRivers_-2.jpg)

**Independent St. Louis practice · Board-certified internist · Accepting new members**

[Book your free meet & greet](#lead-webform)

"It’s like having a doctor in the family. I know I can call anytime and actually speak to someone who knows me and my medical history."

## How Three Rivers compares

National concierge networks (typical)Direct primary care (typical)Three Rivers Concierge Medicine**Who runs the practice**A local doctor within a national company's programVariesAn independent St. Louis practice**Your doctor**A physician in the networkA physician or nurse practitioner, often with a larger patient listDr. Kate Shoemaker, board-certified internist, with a limited number of patients**Reaching your doctor**Varies by physicianMessaging; variesCall or text Dr. Shoemaker directly, including after hours for urgent needs**Blood draws**Varies; often an outside labOften an outside labIn our office, by our own phlebotomist**In the office**Annual wellness programBasic visitsEKG, ultrasound and an executive physical**Insurance**Usually still neededMany practices don't bill insuranceStill needed for lab processing, imaging, prescriptions and specialists

## Questions to ask before you join

- Will I see the same physician every time? Is that physician board-certified?
- How do I reach the doctor: a call center, a portal, or the doctor's own phone?
- How fast can I be seen when I'm sick?
- Are blood draws done in the office, or do I go to an outside lab?
- What testing happens in the office?
- What does the membership fee include, and what still goes through insurance?
- Is the membership annual or monthly, and how is it billed?
- Can I meet the doctor before I join?

## Our answers

- The same physician, every visit: Dr. Shoemaker, board-certified in internal medicine
- Her phone, by call or text
- Same or next day
- Blood draws in our office
- EKG, ultrasound and an executive physical
- $325 a month, billed annually; insurance still covers lab processing, imaging, prescriptions and specialists
- Yes, free

## What's included with membership

- Dr. Shoemaker as your own physician, with visits as long as you need (typically 30 to 60 minutes)
- Same-day and next-day appointments
- Call or text Dr. Shoemaker directly, including after hours for urgent needs
- Blood draws in our office
- EKG and ultrasound in the office
- An executive physical
- Coordination with your specialists and hospital care

**$325 a month, billed annually.** Membership is an annual commitment. We're accepting new members now.

[See membership details](/node/5) →

## Book your free meet & greet

In person or virtual, with no commitment.

Switching is simple

## Switching from another practice

1

## Free meet & greet

Meet Dr. Shoemaker, in person or virtual.

2

## We request your records

From your current doctor, so nothing gets lost.

3

## Your first full visit

With blood drawn in the office and a plan built around you.

![Kathryn Shoemaker, MD, lead physician at Three Rivers Concierge Medicine in Creve Coeur, MO](https://www.threeriversmedicine.com/sites/default/files/media/images/2025-02/ThreeRiversMedicine-DSCF9151.jpg)

Physician spotlight

## Meet Dr. Kathryn Shoemaker

Dr. Kate Shoemaker is board-certified in internal medicine. She trained at the University of Missouri School of Medicine and Saint Louis University Hospital, practiced primary care with Mercy and at the John Cochran VA Medical Center, and taught medical residents.

[Read Dr. Shoemaker's full bio](/node/128)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Three Rivers part of MDVIP or another national network?

No. Three Rivers Concierge Medicine is an independent St. Louis practice led by Dr. Kathryn Shoemaker.

### Is Three Rivers part of SignatureMD?

No. Three Rivers Concierge Medicine is independent of SignatureMD. Our membership, fees and policies are set by Dr. Shoemaker's practice, not by a national company.

### What's the difference between concierge medicine and direct primary care?

Both charge a membership. Concierge practices like ours keep fewer patients per doctor and include more in the office; many direct primary care practices skip insurance entirely and keep larger patient lists.

### How much does membership cost?

$325 a month, billed annually. The membership fee isn't billed to insurance.

### Do I still need insurance?

Yes, for lab processing, imaging, prescriptions, specialists and hospital care. You can keep using your HSA or FSA for that care.

### Can I meet the doctor before I decide?

Yes. The meet & greet is free, in person or virtual, with no commitment.

Concierge medicine in St. Louis

## See the difference for yourself

Meet Dr. Shoemaker before you choose.

[Book your free meet & greet](#lead-webform)

Or call [(314) 744-5914](tel:+13147445914)

## Concierge practices can look alike from the outside. The differences are in who you see, how you reach them and what's included. Here's how Three Rivers compares, and the questions worth asking anywhere you look.

Comparing concierge practices in St. Louis? See what's included, who you'll see and how to reach them. Free meet & greet with Dr. Shoemaker.