I did some work with a doc last year (marketing stuff) who was going concierge. He was also partnering with some other docs in the area. Could be catching on.
This is the wave of the future, at least until the practice is banned by government.
My doc did this several years ago. I pay him up front and then he gives me the insurance forms (in my case B/C pop) and I send them in. The insurance company then sends me a check. I usually get back about half the price of the office visit, however, I get a full hour with the doc and if I need to see him for any reason; I can get in the same day. These visits are always less than me taking my dog to the vet!
My doctor mentioned the same thing to me last week.
My GP and internist, both of whom are very, very superior physicians for many different reasons, have already been cash and carry for over a decade.
This lets them practice medicine the way they see fit, do what’s best for the patient with no external interference whatsoever, and not have to have a big back-office staff to hassle with insurance companies. In fact, my internist has no staff at all, and practices from him home, which means he’s cut his overhead to zilch.
Our family doctor is thinking of doing it also. We told him no problem we will still go to him as we pay cash for doctor’s visits anyway.
The entire community of general practice physicians should simply shut their doors and tell the American public they’ll open for business again after Congress passes the defeat of Obamacare and the “prez” signs it.
Can’t say I blame him....
I have met the opposite too.
A pediatrician who became just a billing operation for Medicaid. He would see anyone who walked through the door, completely fanciful diagnosis of mostly harmless stuff - flu, allergies, etc...
The entire community of general practice physicians should simply shut their doors and tell the American public they’ll open for business again after Congress passes the defeat of Obamacare and the “prez” signs it.
If you can afford it you might be pleasantly surprised at how affordable is cash-for-service
I take my kids to their doc for cash and we end up better than if we used TRICARE with all the deductible and paperwork for the doctor. His fee for cash is much lower so it is win-win
It was a great idea, worked very well and was an American tradition.
My youngest (a son born in 1984) was delivered by an O.B. that wanted two dozen freshly-killed and field-dressed quail for payment, which I gladly provided.
My brother pays $300 a month extra for this so called “Cadillac Service.” He is very satisfied with service. He is on Medicare.
My doctor (he is quite good, btw) went to concierge service. You could fire grapeshot the length of the waiting room and no one would have been hurt. It lasted about 1 week.
Total disaster.
He is now back on track.