Dear Dr. Gott: I am so happy you are on the Internet. I was hoping it would happen because sometimes I miss your column in the Naples, Florida, newspaper, and now you are available to me all the time. I wish I could find a doctor like you here in Naples, but they all seem to come here to become millionaires.

My present doctor charges $3,500 a year to see me four or five times to ask how I am feeling, which is a little much. He has been my physician for the past 15 years, and now this! He doesn't take Medicare. I tried another physician and thought I would give a woman a go. Wrong! I was completely ignored by her and was treated by her LPN assistant. What's a gal to do?

Dear Reader: Sadly, this is the wave of the future. Five years ago, an article appeared in The New York Times regarding such services. A woman received a letter from her family physician requesting a $1,500 annual fee to remain a patient. It seemed as if he was offering longer appointments, there would be no waiting, he would provide his cell-phone number for after-hours calls, and he would accept only 400 patients into the practice. The purpose? "To maintain the highest quality of patient care."

The woman was tired of sitting in the waiting room for extended periods and found the idea appealing. At the time she signed on, concierge practices cost $1,500 or more. It was recommended at the time that potential patients determine which hospitals such physicians used, what would happen once signing the contract if he or she were to go out of business, and whether it might be necessary to contact the office of the state attorney general should a dispute in the contract result. All this was divulged with zero or questionable coverage by an insurance company.

I neither endorse nor condemn the practice of concierge doctoring. What works for one physician may not work for another. I'm not sure it would be a good fit for me. Part of the challenge, fun and pleasure is to diagnose a variety of patients each day with their diverse issues.

If you are into a contract, you will likely have a year to pass judgment. Should you choose to renew your contract and find your $300-per-visit out-of-pocket expense worth it, then stick with the plan. If not, I'm sure another physician out there will gladly take you into the fold. Most physicians have backup coverage when they're unavailable, so cell-phone numbers shouldn't enter into the equation.

Now, to the doctor versus the licensed practical nurse: I don't have a problem with LPNs. I had an excellent one work for me a number of years ago. What I do find disappointing is that you were turned over to an LPN on what appears to be your first visit to the office. I recommend you telephone the office with your complaint. Indicate that you expected more than you got. Perhaps a second chance is in order. Good luck.

Dr. Peter Gott is a retired physician and the author of the book "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Diet," and the recently published "Dr. Gott's No Flour, No Sugar Cookbook". If readers would like to contact Dr. Gott, they may write to Dr. Gott c/o United Media, 200 Madison Ave., 4th fl., New York, NY 10016, USA.