Concierge Primary Care

Concierge medicine is a membership-based model where you pay a monthly or annual fee for direct, unhurried access to your physician — not a call center or physician assistant. At Three Rivers Concierge Medicine in Creve Coeur, Dr. Shoemaker limits her panel to a fraction of the 2,300 patients the average primary care physician manages, according to the American Medical Association, which means same-day appointments, 30–60 minute visits, and direct phone or text access. The result is care that's proactive rather than reactive — your doctor actually knows your health story.

Three Rivers Concierge Medicine membership is $225 per month, with annual or semi-annual commitment options. This covers unlimited office visits, extended appointments, direct physician access, annual wellness planning, and in-office diagnostics — your insurance is still used for labs, imaging, medications, and specialist referrals. Many members find it costs less than a single ER visit or missed diagnosis, and membership fees are typically HSA/FSA eligible.

Yes — for patients who value direct physician access, same-day availability, and a doctor who knows their full health history, the answer is overwhelmingly yes. Concierge patients at Three Rivers receive 30–60 minute visits instead of the national average of roughly 18 minutes reported in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, and they reach Dr. Shoemaker directly by phone or text — evenings and weekends included. The model catches problems earlier, reduces unnecessary ER visits, and eliminates the frustration of waiting weeks for an appointment.

Yes — your health insurance continues to work the way it always has for labs, imaging, prescriptions, specialist visits, and hospital care. The concierge membership covers the physician relationship itself: extended visits, direct access, proactive planning, and the kind of time-intensive care that insurance-based practices can't sustain. Think of it as upgrading the one relationship that coordinates everything else.

Three Rivers Concierge Medicine is currently accepting new members at our Creve Coeur office, though availability is limited by design — Dr. Shoemaker maintains a small patient panel to preserve the quality of care. New members start with a complimentary consultation to ensure the practice is a good fit before committing. This is the opposite of traditional practices that accept as many patients as possible.

Appointments at Three Rivers are 30–60 minutes — long enough for Dr. Shoemaker to review your full health history, discuss concerns in depth, perform a thorough exam, and collaborate on a plan rather than rushing through a checklist. You won't sit in a waiting room, and you won't be handed off to a nurse practitioner. It's the kind of visit most people haven't experienced since before healthcare became a volume business.

At $225 per month, Three Rivers membership costs less than many gym memberships or streaming service bundles combined. The practice serves professionals, families, retirees, and anyone who's frustrated with 10-minute appointments and month-long waits — not just the ultra-wealthy. Many members describe it as the best healthcare investment they've ever made.

Start with a complimentary consultation at Three Rivers Concierge Medicine — you'll meet Dr. Shoemaker, tour the Creve Coeur office, and ask any questions before making a decision. If you choose to join, the team handles medical records transfers and ensures a seamless transition from your current provider. There's no referral needed and no complicated enrollment process.