Wellness

[ValuSkr]

It's about money, of course.  You weren't bringing in revenue for him so you're out the door.

Great system, isn't it?

[embgm]

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@On It wrote:

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@Desertdi wrote:

We are becoming   D I S P O S A B L E

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I have noticed the age 75 has become a benchmark for some treatment and testing options. Over 75? No need for this treatment or that test.

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          I am finding this out concerning my mom. No Pap smears,no internal exams, no colonoscopy after certain ages. She just had a CT   scan for one issue, but a growth showed up on her ovary.We would not have known about this problem if she hadn't experienced pain that has turned out to be muscular. It's very scary since my sister and Aunt both died of ovarian cancer.She is seeing a specialist next week. Insurance Companies feel certain tests for older people are not necessary. I disagree.

[Sooner]

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@evergreen wrote:

I called my Urologist recently and was told he wasn't accepting new patients. I explained that he was my Urologist for many years.  I was told that I hadn't been in to the practice for 3 years that I was no longer considered an active patient.  I wasn't aware that I had to see the doctor even if I didn't have a problem.  Nobody sent any informaation regarding this new policy.  

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@evergreen Yes if you aren't income producing and sign up for every preventive test known to man they could care less about you and dub you an unfit patient.  Healthy people are belittled and told they must have tests no matter how healthy they are or how good they feel, or what their basic yearly blood tests say.

[DrakesMomma]

The not seen within three years = new patient is a policy from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  It has been around since about 2003 or that was the last time there was a revision to the policy.    

[chlema]

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@On It wrote:

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@Desertdi wrote:

We are becoming   D I S P O S A B L E

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I have noticed the age 75 has become a benchmark for some treatment and testing options. Over 75? No need for this treatment or that test.

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I'll always remember a remark my primary made when talking about the no need for some tests after 75.  He said "that's because they want you to die".

[granddi]

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@DrakesMomma wrote:

The not seen within three years = new patient is a policy from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  It has been around since about 2003 or that was the last time there was a revision to the policy.    

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And fees are higher for NEW PATIENTS visits.

[DrakesMomma]

@granddi  -  As a patient I agree a lot of policies from CMS are nonsensical.  Rules and regs made by people that largely aren't in the medical domain.  In theory a new patient takes more time, getting patient history from the patient, reviewing med records from other providers, requesting med recs from other providers or facilites, if not on-line or not shared with the system that provider uses.  I've done medical billing more than half of my life so I do understand things from the other side of the desk.  

[Trailrun23]

The attitude for some doctors seems to be "you have lived long enough" after you get to a certain age. It is sad and cruel and should be illegal.

[chrystaltree]

It's not a new policy and it's insurance driven. That 3 year rule has been in effect for at least 20 years, probably longer. Of course it isn't about seeing a specialist if you don't have to. If you haven't seen him in three years, he isn't treating you for current problem. It isn't a follow up visit. Even though you have seen him before, the level of care is "new patient" because he has to review the last three years.