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Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,242
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!


@SeaMaiden wrote:

@ECBG wrote:

My medical dr retired (we had been together since I was in my late 20's) from the family practice I have gone to.

 

I would very much like to go to a female doctor and tried to get in with a female doctor which he had suggested for me whom was an intern.   

 

I had tried with another group, and the office mgr was so rude on the phone, I marked that office off.

 

I asked a friend and she raved about her doctor who is very close. 

 

I got the paperwork and was filling everything out.  The last page asks for a commitment to "join" the group to the tune of $2950 per year!!!!!

 

I won't own stock or anything. They promise to take care of me during regular business hours.

 

Not on any day!  Maybe some people, but this is NUTS to me!

 

HAS ANYONE EVER HEARD OF ANYTHING MORE BAZAAR????????


@ECBG     If you want GOOD CARE and can afford this.. it is worth it.


@SeaMaiden If you've read the entire thread, you'll know why I didn't.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,775
Registered: ‎07-09-2011

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!


@ECBG wrote:

@Drythe wrote:

@ECBG 

 

Sadly, this has become a big trend over the past few years.


@Drythe Thank you.  When I told DH a few minutes after I posted this, he was able to put his finger pretty much on a time.


@ECBG 

 

Sorry this happened to you.  About 8 - 10 years ago I was in search of a new PCP.  A dear friend had always spoken highly of hers, so I made contact and scheduled a ‘New Patient Visit’ It was the same as any other visit as far as I could see, but maybe she spent extra time reading my records.  Soon I received the bill for $675.00!

 

But, I thought maybe, OK, and she’s supposed to be so good....  Six weeks later I received a form letter from her office,  Sadly, Dr. xxx was leaving to join the XXX program.  For a mere annual fee of $2500 + the cost of office visits, I could join and continue to see her.  I did not.  My friend, who had been seeing her for years was totally caught off guard; apparently her long term patients received no more notice than I did.

 

Hope you have a good experience looking.

"Animals are not my whole world, but they have made my world whole" ~ Roger Caras
Honored Contributor
Posts: 43,242
Registered: ‎01-08-2011

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!

@Drythe 

 

WOW!!!!!  JUST WOW!!!!!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 16,195
Registered: ‎03-13-2010

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!

I'm not going to get into a debate on this issue with anyone.  We all have a right to our opinions.  I never implied that people don't have the right to choose this concierge service if they want to and can afford to. For a lot of us, we have enough to deal with just paying for the health care that we do receive.  Let alone, paying this additional fee.  

"A day without sunshine is like, you know, night." - Steve Martin
Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,371
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!

[ Edited ]

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:

@Starpolisher wrote:

@CalminHeart wrote:

@AngelPuppy1 wrote:

I never heard of this and I think it's terrible!  We pay a lot for medical care in my opinion as it is.  These doctors are getting very greedy.  Yes, we need them, but they signed up to do what they do and they get paid pretty well.  I think this should be against the law to do this.  


 

I agree, this is not ok with me either.  Luckily, I go to a practice that will provide the same care without an annual fee.  


@CalminHeart 

I also agree! A good and caring doctor should be doing this anyway! Obviously, depending on the ailment, everyone doesn't require the same amount of time. You should always feel comfortable and confident with all your doctors. If not, find another one. Theses concierge doctors are guaranteeing their already lucrative salaries. Some take insurance and get paid from the insurance companies in addition to your joining fee.

It's not for me. I need to feel that my doctor cares about me as a person...not just a fee!


 

@Starpolisher   @CalminHeart    @AngelPuppy1

 

Clearly you are not up to speed on the changes medical practices have had to deal with.  What, exactly, should a doctor do when insurance companies don't "allow" what they believe is best for the patient?   Think about that for a moment.

 

Insurance filings and paperwork has increased substantially and more people have to be hired just for paperwork.   Insurance companies don't pay immediately and will haggle with doctors and practices.  If they are to survive, medical practices MUST be run like for-profit businesses, unless health care changes in this country.

 

Why do you think so many doctors now do Botox injections?  It's a cash business and no insurance company pays for it (for cosmetic applications) and the lack of hassles with insurance companies is a big plus for medical practices.

 

Many doctors don't have "lucrative" salaries or practices.  It's not about greed.  It's about sustaining a medical group that is VERY expensive to operate.  When you consider all the equipment, skilled personnel, etc required to do so, it makes a lot of sense.

 

Yes, I know some people think doctors should work for free and their health insurance should also be free, but health care is expensive.   That's the reality.   No one is forcing you to go to use the concierge option.    There are still plenty of free clinics around, if you want to go that route.  

 

Medical school attendance has dropped.  We are losing doctors because of all the hassles just to make a decent (not exorbitant)  living.    Well, at least we still have options.


 

 

It's been this way since 1973 when that president made health insurance profitable in the HMO Act.  Doctors made good living before then and they've made good livings since then.

 

When ACA was being developed, the goal was to give more power to people instead of all the power to insurance companies.  Due to amendments demanded by some, it ended up giving power to insurance companies.

 

Doctors don't totally lose when only part of a cost is paid. It's the way doctors and practices reduce taxes by writing off losses.  

 

It's insurance companies who have really profited.  Be angry at them.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 2,364
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!

[ Edited ]

@CalminHeart 


@CalminHeart wrote:

"It's been this way since 1973 when that president made health insurance profitable in the HMO Act.  Doctors made good living before then and they've made good livings since then.

 

When ACA was being developed, the goal was to give more power to people instead of all the power to insurance companies.  Due to amendments demanded by some, it ended up giving power to insurance companies.

 

Doctors don't totally lose when only part of a cost is paid. It's the way doctors and practices reduce taxes by writing off losses.  

 

It's insurance companies who have really profited.  Be angry at them."

 

 Yes! I remember when that started! (40 years ago when my ds' were infants) I had a choice to change to an HMO and my ds's pediatrician advised me against it. He said they told him which drugs, tests and even hospitals he could use. I distinctly remember him saying he had a patient with Type 1 Diabetes he could no longer see because of the HMO. They insisted she go to a hospital 20 miles away that he was not affiliated with. He also said some insurance guy would call him from his car phone(no cell phones yet) and tell him what he could or could not do!(not a doctor) I did not change but some of my friends did and so did my parents. All regretted it and switched back. My dad had a major problem with his kidneys because he was given a medication that was not the medication of choice by the doctor. The HMO's sounded too good to be true and they were!

 

 

 






 

"Kindness is like snow ~It beautifies everything it covers"
-Kahlil Gibran
Honored Contributor
Posts: 9,600
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!

I first heard about this about 7 years ago.  I received a letter from a family doctor we had seen for years.  He was starting his retirement.  But not exactly a retirement.  We were invited to a hotel to find out more about it.  For a yearly fee we can contact that doctor 24/7 and immediately be placed to see him.  He would also diagnose you with the help of medical specialists.  In short Medical Posh Service in the form of your very personal doctor.. I've wondered over the years since then, how this service went over.  I haven't heard about this since then.  We didn't join.  Does anyone remember what this service was called?

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Posts: 3,875
Registered: ‎04-27-2015

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!


@Harpa wrote:

This may be a stupid question, but does that yearly fee take care of all the fees you may incur with doctors' visits, however many?

 

 


@Harpa @No, not all. You still have your copay and insurance premium.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 6,460
Registered: ‎04-20-2013

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!

I had a fabulous physician in NYC, highly qualified, compassionate and she wanted to give the best care possible. She was disgusted by forms, insurance companies that declined necessary treatments or diagnostic tests. It was a great loss to me as she guided me thru a difficult illness, rapid diagnosis and subsequent care. She went into concierge medicine “to practice good medicine” as she was taught. She was highly principled and ethical. I would have joined the concierge practice in a NY minute but I live in NJ and she advised against that. I have not managed to find another doctor with the degree of passion for medicine and ethical and kind treatment of his/her patients. It isn’t all about money but some doctors want to give a high level of care, not be restricted by insurance guidelines or told how many patients you must see in an hour. To have the best equipment, best staff, you need to make a profit. It’s amazing how people will spend $1000 for the best phone but begrudge a physician a fee for a service. Physicians spend years in school and high tuition and a good one deserves every penny which actually is very little in terms of reimbursements from insurance companies especially Medicare. Concierge medicine isn’t about greed but about quality of care and quick access. If I could find good concierge care in my area, I’d join. Most physicians I see are in NYC and many do not accept insurance but will submit your form after you pay their fee which is often $300-500 per visit. So concierge, depending on your history, could be very economical.
Honored Contributor
Posts: 10,430
Registered: ‎05-15-2016

Re: Very Strange Physician's Office!

I wouldn't mind paying a fee but I don't want to battle with the claims.