Doctors claim to offer affordable health care without insurance

WFAA ^ | 10-02-13 | JANET ST. JAMES

[slumber1]

COLLEYVILLE — The clinic under construction in Colleyville has all the trappings of an ordinary doctor's office. But Dr. Kevin Wacasey is planning something revolutionary here. He’s offering what he says is truly affordable health care. "It's a cash clinic," Dr. Wacasey said. "That's just like it used to be in the good old days back before managed care took over."

[skr]

Consider how many premiums (and their amount) you have to pay first before you can start making claims on an insurance policy. Also consider the deductible you have to meet. If you need a lot of services, this works out. If not, you over-pay for the privilege of a discounted office call and x-ray if that’s all you need in a year.

[Pining_4_TX]

First of all, Americans take too many drugs, and they all have risks. Perhaps the drug fountain would slow down a bit if doctors and patients were counting the true cost of all these pills and potions.

Second, drug stores and grocery stores are competing now to offer better and better deals on the most commonly prescribed drugs. Many generics are dirt cheap, and some are even free.

Third, the pharmaceutical companies have programs that help people who cannot afford their prescriptions. If the huge burdern of government and insurance company regulations and red tape were swept away, the price of drugs would decrease.

The free market increases innovation, quality, access, and supply, and decreases costs.

[Captain Compassion]

I have a wife of 43 years and two grown children. The VA takes good care of me. Was fully insured when the children came. All I'm saying is that if you have insurance with a high deductible and a high co pay that it may make better economic sense to go to a pay for care physician for simple stuff rather then go the insurance route. should be easy to check it out.

CC

[cynwoody]

But obamma requires you to purchase health insurance or you will be fined.

Nope. You will be taxed. Just ask John Roberts!

But the tax is way below the insurance. So, you might as well go bare until you get sick!

Stay healthy and save.

[Kirkwood]

Part of my practice is cash only and we are growing in that area and adding more clinics. I know several cash only docs in the area, including one who owns a couple of hospitals. Some docs have major commercial clients and all of the employees of those clients use cash only services. It is actually growing as a business model for now. As long as there are people willing to pay for privacy, it will be around. It may save a small amount of money for some people who take advantage of group rates, but it is mainly the privacy thing that drives it.

[WildHighlander57]

Many thanks for this post! Bears repeating:

“To: Roccus

The silver will turn to lead. Under Zer0care,they will go under or be shut down.

Well,move ‘em to the sovereign territory of the Indian tribes then.

Win,win. We get a free market medical system,and the tribes make more money than they will ever make from gambling.

40 posted on Thu Oct 03 2013 00:27:37 GMT-0500 (CDT) by EternalVigilance (Tell me again why “shutting down all non-essential government services” is a bad thing?) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies | Report Abuse]”

I wonder what would happen if an Indian casino owner bankrolled a chain of old style fee for service/cash clinics?

That land is indeed sovereign territory...

Lucy, pinging you to this post!

[WildHighlander57]

Ping to post #46 and eternal vigilance post

[dagogo redux]

That’s good to know. Are you a shrink?

A modest amount of my practice is also cash for service currently, and I ran a small practice years ago that was entirely cash, but I simply wonder how long the federal leviathan will allow such treason to continue.

If they allow it, especially in my field, the privacy issue may be quite attractive to those who can pay as ObamaCare unfolds.

[South Dakota]

Here on the Three Affiliated Tribes reservation the tribes are building a new refinery for local use. The same goes for energy

[cynwoody]

If you can buy an iPad without insurance, why can't you buy healthcare without insurance?

Admittedly, you get much more for your money with the Ipad ...

[Kit cat]

My healthcare has been cash only my entire life, comparing my bills to
what my mom’s Medicare is charged for same things including prescriptions I save a ton of money! I will NEVER comply with
OBAMMY CARE!! I am at this time very worried about my mom being
denied care due to the government deciding she should just take a pill
due cost effectiveness!! I am very worried for our elderly and the care they
will now be given! My father was 30 years in the military, deceased now
Mom forced onto Medicare at 65 very concerned for her now!!

[cynwoody]

Health care should be on a cash basis.

Insurance should only come into play for worst-case situations. E.g., you got cancer or you were in a horrible accident. Against such, you would insure. If you're not insured, you're screwed (no need for an Individual Mandate under that arrangement!)

For everything else, it should be, buy the best healthcare money can buy, advised by the internet, charge it to your Amex, and pay up at the end of the month!

The problem with the current system is, most people have employer insurance and therefore don't have a clue what their health care is costing. That completely screws up the price signals that would shape a normal market (e.g., the market for iPads and Androids). Thus, what you pay for health care is not a legitimate price; it is a political football that drains resources instead of optimizing their deployment. And it gives slimy Chicagoans, such as Obama, lots of opportunities to extract unearned wealth from the people!

[gattaca]

Amen! I’ve been paying cash for years. I only go to doctors when I have to and thank God that’s not very often. I take no daily meds, try to eat healthy and exercise. I’m 57.

[Kit cat]

You can get an MRI early morning hours or after office hours for cash
really, really cheap, I had one a few years ago your Dr. will inform you
of these deals if you are a cash patient! My labs have been 1/2 the cost
if cash payment! The paperwork alone for these providers is extremely
costly when using insurance and also waiting for payments!

[Venturer]

Or Jacking up their Malpractice insurance to put them out of business.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

My labs have been 1/2 the cost if cash payment!

Thanks!

It seems safe to assume that third party payments double the cost of MRIs. We'll all be paying cash soon, because MRI availability will be cut back severely under a socialized medicine system. You don't really need one, doncha know.

[TomGuy]

A big problem here is that advertising prices is illegal, I believe.

IIRC, it used to be unethical for lawyers to advertise. Seen any lawyer ads recently? lol

==

I can see it now:

Special This Week Only: Appendectomy $500.00.
Make your appointment now to avoid the rush.
No Appendix; no problem -- we'll substitute Gall Bladder or Spleen -- your choice -- removal at the same low price.

[Scotswife]

BTTT

[rawhide]

Yes, just pay the tax if you are young.

But for older Americans that may not be the a good best option.

And you know that the Feds can raise the fine to a higher level to where you would want to buy the insurance.

[COBOL2Java]

§Section 2.0 of the UnaffordableSocialized Healthcare Act:

The Health and Inhumane Secretary may, at will, deem ANY and all cash only clinics as operating against said laws, and therefore be considered felonious to those who participate in such operations.

During Prohibition, we had Speakeasies, where thirsty patrons who knew where to find them could quench their desires. Are we headed for medical speakeasies?

Remember the economic law of unintended consequences.