What Concierge Medicine Really Means and Why It’s Worth the Investment
Dr. Ariel Brooks explains how concierge medicine works, how it differs from traditional care, and why many patients choose it as an investment in long-term health.
Last updated November 2025
If you’ve ever left a doctor’s appointment feeling like you barely had time to explain your symptoms before the visit was over, you’re not alone. For many people, modern healthcare feels rushed, impersonal, and reactive. You wait weeks for an appointment, spend ten minutes with the physician, and walk away with more questions than answers. It’s no wonder so many patients are seeking a better way.
That’s where concierge medicine comes in, a model that redefines the patient-doctor relationship by putting time, access, and personalized care back at the center of medicine. At Asklia Concierge & Metabolic Medicine in Cave Spring, VA, Dr. Ariel Brooks created her practice to do exactly that: offer a healthcare experience designed around you instead of the system.
Below, we’ll explore what concierge medicine really is, how it differs from traditional care, and why more people in the Roanoke area are finding it to be worth every penny.
From Rushed Visits to Real Relationships
In the traditional healthcare model, most primary care physicians are expected to manage panels of 2,000 to 3,000 patients. That often means appointments are brief, communication is limited, and preventive care gets overlooked in the process. Physicians spend much of their day navigating insurance paperwork instead of spending time with the people they’re supposed to help.
By contrast, concierge medicine, also known as direct primary care, operates on a membership-based model. Patients pay a flat monthly or annual fee that covers comprehensive primary care services. Because the practice limits the number of patients, your doctor can truly get to know you and spend the time needed to address not only your symptoms but the root causes of your health concerns.
At Asklia, Dr. Brooks intentionally limits her patient panel so she can offer longer visits, same-day or next-day appointments, and direct communication through text, phone, or video when you need her most. The result is a relationship built on trust, continuity, and proactive care rather than quick fixes and rushed checklists.
What Makes Concierge Medicine Different
For many people, the idea of paying a membership fee for healthcare is new, and it can be hard to understand what’s included or how it’s different from having insurance. Here are a few key distinctions that define Asklia’s approach:
1. More time with your doctor
Visits at Asklia typically last 45–60 minutes, giving Dr. Brooks time to listen, review your medical history, and create a personalized care plan. You’re never just a number in a waiting room.
2. Direct access
Members can reach Dr. Brooks directly via phone, text, or secure messaging. No call centers, no endless hold music—just timely access to your own physician.
3. Focus on prevention and longevity
Because appointments aren’t rushed, there’s room to focus on prevention: reviewing your metabolic health, hormone balance, nutrition, and lifestyle habits before they become problems.
4. Personalized women’s and metabolic health expertise
As a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner and board-certified obesity medicine specialist, Dr. Brooks helps patients navigate midlife transitions, weight management, and complex metabolic issues with evidence-based, compassionate care.
5. Transparent costs
Your membership fee covers your visits, communication, and care coordination. No surprise bills or insurance hurdles are standing between you and your doctor.
The Real Value of Concierge Care
Concierge medicine isn’t just about convenience. It’s about better outcomes and a more satisfying experience for both patient and physician.
Consider what happens when you have more time and open communication with your doctor. You can discuss subtle changes in your energy, mood, or sleep before they escalate. You can collaborate on realistic lifestyle goals instead of receiving a rushed list of instructions. You can actually implement preventive strategies that improve your long-term health rather than waiting for a problem to appear.
For patients with complex or chronic health issues—such as metabolic syndrome, thyroid disorders, perimenopause, or insulin resistance—this approach can be transformative. Dr. Brooks takes time to connect the dots between symptoms and underlying causes, helping patients make sustainable changes rather than chasing short-term fixes.
Beyond the medical benefits, many patients find that concierge care restores something they didn’t realize was missing: a true partnership. Having a doctor who knows your history, your preferences, and your story means you’re no longer navigating your health alone.
A Day in the Life: Traditional vs. Concierge Care
Imagine two scenarios.
In a traditional setting, you may start to feel off, feeling fatigued and possibly gaining weight despite eating well. You call your doctor, and the next available appointment is in three weeks. Once there, you wait 30 minutes past your scheduled time. You have a 12-minute visit, get a few lab orders, and leave with instructions to “eat healthier” and “come back if it gets worse.”
At Asklia, that same situation looks different. You message Dr. Brooks directly, and she offers a same-week visit. Together, you spend nearly an hour discussing your diet, sleep patterns, stress levels, hormones, and lab results. She orders advanced metabolic testing, reviews the results with you personally, and builds a detailed plan that includes medical treatment, nutrition support, and follow-up check-ins.
That level of attention doesn’t just feel better, it leads to earlier detection, better adherence, and improved health over time.
Why It’s Worth the Investment
Concierge medicine isn’t just a luxury; it’s a strategic investment in your long-term health. When you think about the time, energy, and frustration saved by having a physician who’s truly accessible and proactive, the value becomes clear.
Patients often report fewer emergency visits, better control of chronic conditions, and a greater sense of confidence in their care. They also appreciate knowing they have someone in their corner who’s committed to helping them thrive, not just treating illness after it appears.
For Dr. Brooks, the goal of Asklia is simple: to create the kind of healthcare she wishes existed, for herself, her family, and her patients. By removing insurance barriers and keeping her panel small, she’s able to deliver the thoughtful, connected, evidence-based care that modern medicine too often overlooks.
Reimagining Healthcare in Roanoke
Concierge medicine offers something truly rare in today’s healthcare landscape: time, trust, and a doctor who knows you as a whole person. For residents of Cave Spring and the greater Roanoke area, Asklia Concierge & Metabolic Medicine is helping redefine what healthcare can feel like: personal, precise, and built on genuine connection.
If you’re ready for a different kind of care experience —one that prioritizes your health and time —learn more at askliamedicine.com or call 540-410-9275 to schedule a consultation.
Your health deserves more than a quick fix. It deserves a partnership. And that’s what concierge medicine delivers.
