(AP) – Three Kansas doctors are practicing some form of “concierge medicine” at Wichita medical offices.

Concierge medical practices typically don’t accept insurance and charge patients a membership fee. In return patients get 24-hour access to the doctor or his partner, same-day appointments, basic lab work and other service. The fee doesn’t cover specialists or hospitalizations.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Drs. Aly Gadalla, Doug Nunamaker and Josh Umbehr are in the minority among their physician peers in practicing concierge medicine.

Experts say doctors and patients alike have been drawn to the idea nationwide by a shortage of physicians, especially in primary care, as well as a desire by more physicians to take care of fewer patients.

American Academy of Private Physicians estimates there are about 3,500 concierge practices in the nation.