FAQ
A smarter way to think about your care
A smarter way to think about your care
A smarter way to
think about your care
Still have questions? Talk to a TejoMed Advisor - friendly,
no-pressure guidance on how our dedicated-doctor model works.
Still have questions? Talk to a TejoMed Advisor - friendly, no-pressure guidance on how our dedicated-doctor model works.
Still have questions? Talk to a TejoMed Advisor - friendly,
no-pressure guidance on how our dedicated-doctor model works.
Concierge medicine & access
What is membership-based (concierge) medicine?
Membership-based medicine (also called concierge medicine) is a practice model where patients pay a membership fee for enhanced access and personalized care. This allows your doctor to maintain a smaller patient panel, creating time for extended appointments, same-day availability, and genuine relationships. It's about changing the system of primary care so doctors can practice medicine properly.
How is TejoMed different from a traditional family medicine doctor?
Traditional GPs manage thousands of patients, resulting in rushed 15-minute appointments, weeks-long waits, and limited accessibility. At TejoMed, your doctor cares for a limited number of members. This means more time to listen to you, understand your health goals and concerns, and guide you through life. You get same or next-day sick appointments, extended consultation times, direct phone and email messaging access to your doctor and care team, 24/7 availability for urgent concerns, comprehensive annual assessments with advanced diagnostics, and personalized wellness planning. All of our doctors are fluent in English, Portuguese, and some with additional languages. You’re not a number - you’re a partner in your health.
Can I reach a doctor at night or on weekends?
Yes. For urgent medical concerns, you can call 24/7 and reach your care team. For emergencies, always call 112 first.
Do appointments really start on time?
We respect your time and we schedule realistically so you are not left waiting. This is possible because of our smaller patient panel and realistic scheduling.
Appointments & visits
How fast can I be seen if I'm sick?
Same or next-business-day appointments are available for sick visits. Call us and we will arrange a prompt visit. Our goal is to help you avoid unnecessary emergency room visits by being available when you need us.
How long are appointments?
Appointment times are extended to ensure thorough discussion of your health concerns. You'll have unhurried time with your doctor, no rushing through questions. Your comprehensive annual physical involves extended time for thorough evaluation and detailed discussion of results.
Do you offer virtual visits?
Yes, when it is clinically appropriate. We offer virtual visits for certain types of consultations, and in person care is always available.
Can I contact my doctor between appointments?
Yes. You can contact your doctor and care team between appointments with questions, updates, and care coordination needs through secure channels.
Is TejoMed an emergency service?
TejoMed is not an emergency service. If you’re having a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the hospital first. Then let us know so we can coordinate follow-up.
Annual checkup & prevention
What is in the comprehensive annual checkup?
Your annual assessment includes detailed medical history review, thorough physical examination, advanced diagnostic testing beyond standard bloodwork (tailored to your age, gender, health history, and risk factors), cardiovascular assessment, body composition analysis, health risk evaluation, and comprehensive review of all results with your doctor and more. Together you'll develop a personalized wellness plan focused on prevention, health optimization, and longevity.
How is this different from a regular physical?
Standard physicals typically include basic vital signs, brief examination, and routine bloodwork completed in 15-20 minutes. TejoMed’s comprehensive physical goes beyond a routine checkup. You get extended time for careful evaluation and discussion, a personalized prevention and wellness plan based on your results, and ongoing follow up throughout the year. It's proactive medicine, not just annual checkboxes.
Membership & billing
What does the membership fee cover?
Your membership fee covers the ongoing relationship with one dedicated doctor: the time, access, and attention that typically insurance doesn't pay for. In practice, that means a doctor who keeps a small patient panel and knows your history, longer and unhurried appointments that start on time, priority same or next-business-day access when you're unwell, direct phone and email messaging with your doctor and care team, 24/7 availability for urgent concerns, a comprehensive annual health assessment, in-clinic and virtual visits, and a secure patient portal that keeps your records, wearables, data, and results in one place, plus continuity of care when you travel. Labs, imaging, and specialist referrals are billed separately and are often reimbursable through your existing insurance.
Do you accept insurance?
TejoMed works alongside insurance and the membership fee is not covered by insurance. The membership provides things that insurance typically doesn’t cover (e.g., a dedicated relationship with one doctor, a small panel, comprehensive checkups, longer unhurried visits, direct communication, and more). Your insurance is used for labs, tests, and specialist referrals when applicable, while membership ensures you have a doctor who actually knows you.
What is billed separately?
Additional services often covered by insurance are billed separately and include lab tests, imaging, specialist, advanced diagnostic procedures, and certain additional services like travel consultations or vaccinations. Many of these services are reimbursable through insurance.
Can my family join?
Yes. Immediate family members including spouses and children are eligible and recommended for our membership because it will facilitate prevention and accelerate diagnostics. Family packages are available, contact us to learn about family membership options and pricing.
Is there a waiting list?
Because we limit the number of members per doctor to protect quality, availability may be limited. Contact us to learn about current openings and expected wait times.
Getting started
How do I become a member?
Schedule a complimentary conversation with a TejoMed advisor to learn how our care model works and ask questions. Meet your doctor, discuss your goals, and begin a comprehensive assessment built around you. There is no obligation. It is simply a chance to see if TejoMed is the right fit.
Remote Care
Can I really join from anywhere in Portugal?
Yes. Members join from anywhere on the mainland, and from Madeira and the Azores. You get your own dedicated doctor and care team, and the full membership - wherever you live.
Do I ever have to come to a clinic?
No. Your care can be delivered fully remotely, including the comprehensive annual check-up: the consultation happens by video where clinically appropriate, your labs are drawn at one of our partner labs near you, and anything that needs to be done in person is arranged close to home - at a local clinic with our instructions and a guide, or, where available, a home visit. And if you'd like to come in, we always love to have you.
Where do I get my blood work done?
At one of our partner labs near you - we work with collection points across the country. We send the requisition, you pick the most convenient location, and the results come back to your doctor. Lab costs are billed separately and are often reimbursable through your insurance.
What if I need a scan, a specialist, or something done in person?
Your doctor will tell you what's needed and arrange it near you - a local clinic, a specialist, or, where available, a home visit. We provide what the local provider needs, and your doctor goes through the results with you afterwards.
Can my family join if we're not near a clinic?
Yes. Partners and children are eligible. Not every TejoMed doctor sees children, so we'll match your family with a doctor who's the right fit for all of you.
Can I contact my doctor between appointments?
Yes. You can contact your doctor and care team between appointments with questions, updates, and care coordination needs through secure channels. For anything urgent, call - a doctor is reachable around the clock.
What if I move, or split my year between Portugal and somewhere else?
Your care travels with you - it doesn't pause for airports or time zones. You keep seeing your doctor by video and stay in touch with your care team from abroad, and your records stay in one place on TejoMed Compass.