DENVER -- There's a new style of practice catching on in Colorado -- the boutique doctor.

Patients pay extra for increased access to their doctor but it's a practice that has some healthcare regulators raising their eyebrows.

What would it be worth to you if could get a same-day appointment with your doctor, if you could have access to your doctor 24 hours a day, and if you could receive thorough preventative care year-in and year-out?

"Primaxis is the name of our private physician services or retainer services practice that we offer our patients," said Dr. Lawrence Scariano, with Paradym Health Services.

Scariano is one of a growing number doctors choosing to offer this retainer or "boutique-style" practice.

"Some patients choose to join this special program. Doctors offices that have similar programs charge an additional fees and the patients get additional services," said Scariano.

Some of Scariano's patients, such as Ann Roadarmel, said it's worth the extra money because it is more than just having better access to her primary physician.

"It's more of a relationship, and that's what I like, the building of the relationship," Roadarmel said.

Scariano promises to keep his program at 500 people. That is how he can promise things such as same-day appointments and extensive preventative medical care.

"I frankly can provide better care for 500 patients than I can for 5,000 patients," he said. "I think that one day we will find out that doctors spending more time with their patients and patients having more access to their doctor will translate to safer health care."

Scariano believes this style of practice is growing in popularity because of economic pressures and because more doctors are frustrated with traditional managed care.

These programs can range from a few hundred dollars a year to thousands of dollars a year.

For more information on Primaxis visit http://www.paradygmhs.com or call (303) 799-6510. For more information on the retainer-type practice, click here. You can also learn more through the Web site for the Society of Concierge Medicine.