Community Chat

[Qwackertoo]

p.s. IF it were simple, which it is not . . . do you not think anyone in the last several decades would have done something to fix it? Or do they prefer it like this? Of course they don't. Reality, it is not simple.

Quality staff is a necessary prerequisite. We don't have them right now to spare in every little podunk community or big city neighborhood in all 50 states.

So yes, some are opening but thousands more are needed.

[terrier3]

On 1/3/2014 Qwackertoo said:

p.s. IF it were simple, which it is not . . . do you not think anyone in the last several decades would have done something to fix it? Or do they prefer it like this? Of course they don't. Reality, it is not simple.

Quality staff is a necessary prerequisite. We don't have them right now to spare in every little podunk community or big city neighborhood in all 50 states.

So yes, some are opening but thousands more are needed.

Immediate care clinics never even existed several years ago.

They were created to meet a need and to make money.

Same thing with neighborhood family clinics. They used to only be in the poorest of neighborhoods - now they are spreading.

We need to innovate to bring costs down and provide care to every American who needs it.

It is happening, but the status quo and vested interests are kicking and screaming.

[Qwackertoo]

What I call Doc in a Box has existed here where I live for at least 20 years. More than one location. More than one central sometimes national owner. I went to a Baylor Urgent Care place in D/FW when I broke my ankle a couple of years ago. I've taken my kids to them in off hours and weekends in emergency situations with Strep and ear infections which have no convenient times to just pop up with a high fever to match.

[pinkskates4]

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:

I fell flat on my face several years ago. My front teeth went thru my face.

I called my cousin, the PA. It was a Sunday during the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

We went to the ER, because the closest immediate care center was also near the parade (LOTS of drunks!). Her friend was working there that day and said no one that specializes in sutures was on duty then.

I got 7 stitches and a dose of my blood clotting medicine (Stimate). Total tab - $6,500.

The Stimate costs $850 at the drug store - $2500 at the hospital.

My dentist saw me the next morning and didn't charge at all...what a guy!

But I thought the reason the costs at the Hospital/ER are so high is to pay for those who cannot pay - many of whom are going to the ER with non emergencies.

So now I guess we will shift the cost to the State. Is that really a better deal for overburdened state budgets?

[kdgn]

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:

What about not reimbursing the ambulance company for transporting people with sore throats?

That will end that misuse immediately...

Until they stop making big bucks from transporting people with minor issues...it will continue.

Terrier- Once an ambulance has been called they have no choice but to transport the patient to the ER. The only time they don't follow through is if the patient absolutely refuses to go-this would be in the case of another person calling an ambulance. Even then, if the ambulance personnel feel the patient is not competent to make that decision then they take them on in.

I don't want ambulance personnel deciding who needs to go and who doesn't.

[terrier3]

On 1/3/2014 kdgn said:

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:

What about not reimbursing the ambulance company for transporting people with sore throats?

That will end that misuse immediately...

Until they stop making big bucks from transporting people with minor issues...it will continue.

Terrier- Once an ambulance has been called they have no choice but to transport the patient to the ER. The only time they don't follow through is if the patient absolutely refuses to go-this would be in the case of another person calling an ambulance. Even then, if the ambulance personnel feel the patient is not competent to make that decision then they take them on in.

I don't want ambulance personnel deciding who needs to go and who doesn't.

It has been said that the same people misuse the system over and over.

One guy in Buffalo called for ambulances 200 days in one year. He had no major illnesses.

There has to be a better way...

[SoX]

On 1/3/2014 Gooday said:

On 1/3/2014 Qwackertoo said:

We need more Doctors and Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants to staff those clinic. We either have to import them . . . or . . . graduate more medical students which will take time.

I think the health industry would be benefited by the paying of students medical school or portion thereof and a contract to work so many years in a clinic . . . which I think they already do similar, maybe a state does it like Virginia, for very rural areas. Much like the military doctors . . . get their education paid for, return their service in payment for that debt . . . and then continue on later in private practice. But this will take both Time AND Money.

I saw an NP for the first time in October and again a few weeks later. I was quite impressed. A new clinic opened up just one mile away. While I am here for the winter, I will continue to see him if need be. The problem is there a hospital 2 miles a way who as of two months ago will NOT take BC/BS. ?????? I have my PCP back home but I wanted to establish myself in the area in case I needed to see someone.

I'm just curious, Gooday ... did the hospital give you a reason for not accepting BC/BS?

[pinkskates4]

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:

On 1/3/2014 kdgn said:

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:

What about not reimbursing the ambulance company for transporting people with sore throats?

That will end that misuse immediately...

Until they stop making big bucks from transporting people with minor issues...it will continue.

Terrier- Once an ambulance has been called they have no choice but to transport the patient to the ER. The only time they don't follow through is if the patient absolutely refuses to go-this would be in the case of another person calling an ambulance. Even then, if the ambulance personnel feel the patient is not competent to make that decision then they take them on in.

I don't want ambulance personnel deciding who needs to go and who doesn't.

It has been said that the same people misuse the system over and over.

One guy in Buffalo called for ambulances 200 days in one year. He had no major illnesses.

There has to be a better way...

There is. If he is abusing the system, punish him not the ambulance company.

The one time they refuse to respond, it will be a true emergency and people like you will demand their heads.

[Qwackertoo]

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:

On 1/3/2014 kdgn said:

On 1/3/2014 terrier2 said:

What about not reimbursing the ambulance company for transporting people with sore throats?

That will end that misuse immediately...

Until they stop making big bucks from transporting people with minor issues...it will continue.

Terrier- Once an ambulance has been called they have no choice but to transport the patient to the ER. The only time they don't follow through is if the patient absolutely refuses to go-this would be in the case of another person calling an ambulance. Even then, if the ambulance personnel feel the patient is not competent to make that decision then they take them on in.

I don't want ambulance personnel deciding who needs to go and who doesn't.

It has been said that the same people misuse the system over and over.

One guy in Buffalo called for ambulances 200 days in one year. He had no major illnesses.

There has to be a better way...

Yes but they haven't figured it out yet. I posted the same thing on the other thread. Homeless pregnant woman with mental issues . . . called ambulance over 40 times in one year and yep they took her to the ER every time.

You'd think after 3 times of "false alarms" they might admit them into the psychiatric ward for 72 hour observation.

[terrier3]

On 1/3/2014 Sox2 said:

On 1/3/2014 Gooday said:

On 1/3/2014 Qwackertoo said:

We need more Doctors and Nurse Practitioners and Physician's Assistants to staff those clinic. We either have to import them . . . or . . . graduate more medical students which will take time.

I think the health industry would be benefited by the paying of students medical school or portion thereof and a contract to work so many years in a clinic . . . which I think they already do similar, maybe a state does it like Virginia, for very rural areas. Much like the military doctors . . . get their education paid for, return their service in payment for that debt . . . and then continue on later in private practice. But this will take both Time AND Money.

I saw an NP for the first time in October and again a few weeks later. I was quite impressed. A new clinic opened up just one mile away. While I am here for the winter, I will continue to see him if need be. The problem is there a hospital 2 miles a way who as of two months ago will NOT take BC/BS. ?????? I have my PCP back home but I wanted to establish myself in the area in case I needed to see someone.

I'm just curious, Gooday ... did the hospital give you a reason for not accepting BC/BS?

I don't know about her case...but in some cities there are major battles going on with hospitals and insurance companies. Some cities are literally split down the middle 0 half of the insurers align with one hospital group and half with the other.

So you could sign up for BC/BS because you like the hospitals and doctors on that plan - only to later have the insurance company, doctor's group and hospital end their contracts for care.