Are New Special Doctor's Fees Illegal?

KomoTVNews ^ | August 12, 2003 | Liz Rocca

[Pearls Before Swine]

I guess what the people that are complaining are saying they do not want this person to get quicker and better access because they are willing to pay for it.

Exactly. They are jealous. These people want everyone to sit at the same low level--but they are often the first to complain when THEIR treatment isn't up to snuff.

[Bob]

Thanks for the additional info. I had missed the original stories on this. I assumed (obviously incorrectly) that the facts in this article were being reported accurately.

[NautiNurse]

Variation on a two-tier pricing system and illegal.

Show me two third party payer contracts that allow the same amount for the same physician service (Blue Shield, Medicare, Medicaid, United Healthcare, CIGNA, etc.).

Several years ago, the feds gave their blessing for individual patient contracts.

[Mike Darancette]

Hmmmmm......not sure I agree with this. After paying premiums, there really shouldn't be any extra fees tacked on. Asuming, of course, they ARE paying premiums.

If the doctor works for the Insurance company or gets the premiums I would agree.

[Doc On The Bay]

--"Those Fees Go to the Doctors---"

SIGH!!

Whoever Persuaded You that the "above" statement was even APPROXIMATELY TRUE has UTTERLY "BAMBOOZLED" you!!

EXAMPLE; for a FEW Years, "Flu Shots" were NOT "Covered by" "Medicare!"

We would Give the Shots (Which we PAID FOR) for a Small, Fixed Fee (a Fee Unchanged for ~ 10 years).

A Few Years ago, Our Wonderful Federal Government Declared that the "Government" would pay for "Flu Shots!!"

The Ultimate "Bottom Line" result of our "Federal Government Authorized Flu Shots" is that Those of us, "In the Trenches," who ACTUALLY ADMINISTER "Government Mandated Health Care" NOW LOSE ~$1.00 for EVERY SHOT we Administer!!

I KNOW; Those of You Who Think "Government-Administered Healthcare" is the "Cat's Meow," Just Can't Understand why "Flu Shots" can POSSIBLY cost MORE than what the "All Wise Government" allows for them; OOPS!! "Government Mandated Allowances for the Expense of Particular Service" are OFTEN "Based on" Prehistoric Figures for costs & Expenses!!

This Office LOSES ~ $2.00/ Flu Shot!!--DESPITE the MOST SOPHISTICATED "Billing Solftware" available!!

Payments for "Medical Care" have been "Price Fixed" for Three Decades.

Services I am Legally Required to Provide to Patients for Free (or for "Rates" FAR BELOW those of Law Offices by "$/Hour") are REQUIRED BY LAW--I Either Supply Detailed Summaries of events of Which I Know Little, or I am Summoned to Court, & MUST TESTIFY "Under OATH" in Circumstances in which I CANNOT VERIFY the Physical facts of a Particular Patient's Injuries!

The Problem Is, There are still a "Few of Us" who ACTUALLY CARE about the fate of Our Patients!

There are STILL, "some of Us," who Honor the "Concept" of "Professional Integrity!!"

Most of "Us" in the "Medical Profession,"--Despite Three Decades of Professional Training & a "Deep-Seated" Respect for Those Who "are on the Front Lines" of Emergency Medical Care--are HORRIFIED BY the Mindless "Cuts" in Medical Care!

Whatever Else our Society Deems "Important," Care for our Least Fortunate & Injured has ALWAYS BEEN a "Signature Effort" of Our Culture!!

I CANNOT IMAGINE an "America" unwilling to care for the "Weak & Infirm" who come to Us for aid!!

THAT SAID, I know of NO ONE willing to grant NON-Citizens ANY "Rights!!"

"Citizenship" Involves a Potent Mix of "Rights & Responsibilities."

Most of Us Agree--Until a Person is willing to accept the Responsibilities of "Citizenship," They are NOT a "Candidate" for American Citizenship!!

No One willing to adopt "America" should be Willing to RENOUNCE ALL OTHER NATIONAL AFFILIATION, & should be able to Explain & Discuss the Declaration & the Constitution!!

For That Matter, ALL "Citizens" Ought to be able to perform the "Above Tasks" as well as--& EVEN BETTER THAN-- "Citizen'Candidates!!"

Somehow, We have Forgotten WHY AMERICA is, "SO SPECIAL!!"

Doc

[Mamzelle]

This kind of boutique medicine can be practiced--as long as your practice is exclusively boutique. Do a google on "boutique medicine"--there was an article about it in the Austin American Statesman several months ago.

[novacation]

Anything to get that third Jaquar in the driveway. As if health care providers don't make enough money to give a patient 3 minutes instead of 2. Greed

[Indrid Cold]

"The overhead in a doc's office in the Puget Sound is 90%, highest in the country."

Boo hoo. Most corporatations (like IBM) are lucky to keep 5 percent of what they earn, much less 10.

[Indrid Cold]

SPastic CAPTIALization is NOT encouraGED in modern English.

[Doc On The Bay]

The "Short Form;" I Mostly LOOSE 40cents "on the Dollar" for MANDATED "Services" I perform for our Federal Government!!

I See ~ 150 patients/week. You ask "How I Stay afloat Financially,"----"Smoke & Mirrors!!"

Despite seeing enough Patients to (Probably) remain "Afloat" Financially, I Will Eventually "Go Under!"

BY LAW, I am NOT allowed to Charge Enough for my Services to Cover my "Overhead!!"

Few Citizens Understand the TRUE status of Medical Economics.

We Are--Unfortunately,--about to Face an UNPRECEDENTED FINANCIAL DISASTER in Medical Care.

Patients are ALREADY being subjected to Suboptimal Care due to Irrational, "Money-Driven", Patient Care Decisions!

[PA Engineer]

novacation = Liberal Troll!

[honeygrl]

I am always shocked when i get statements from my insurance company showing the charges filed by then doctor and then showing what the insurance company actually paid them for the test or procedure or whatever. I seem to recall one test that was done to me (some sort of bloodwork i think) that was charge over $100 by the doctor but insurance only paid them less than $20 for it. I just don't get how they can get by paying such a low price, when someone without insurance would have to pay the over $100 price. It sounds like they are screwing us both out of money because they seem to get much more money out of us than they pay to the doctors. I also have one claim they flat out refuse to pay for because the lab filed it wrong. the lab says it was the doctors office mistake, the doctors office says it was the labs mistake and the insurance company says it was anyones fault but their own. The doctor said the test was absolutely necessary and the insurance company says it wasn't. I don't see how it's fair for them to play doctor to someone they've never even met. I personally think the test was necessary after 3 abnormal pap smears. No one wants to to take the blame for the screw up though.

[novacation]

I am neither a liberal or a troll. Doctors and hospitals charge paying patients too much to make up for the ones who don't pay.FO

[PA Engineer]

Anything to get that third Jaquar in the driveway. As if health care providers don't make enough money to give a patient 3 minutes instead of 2. Greed

Your words speak clearly enough. Only a Hillary national health care believer could come up with venom like this.

[honeygrl]

Yep, my general practitioner doesn't file any insurance forms. We just pay him out of pocket and don't bother with the insurance at all when we go to him for regular stuff we can afford. He spends as much time as it takes to deal with the problem and always takes you into his office to chat instead of the exam room once he's done with the exam. He's got to be over 70.. maybe even 75 and has cancer but still hasn't retired yet. I have yet to meet one of his patients that doesn't just adore him. He is pretty old fashioned in the way he practices medicine BUT if you have a serious problem I have heard straight from the nurses at the hospital that he is one of the best doctors to handle it in the area. He's also one of the most polite and all the nurses adore him as well. That says a lot about his character to me because I use to work at the hospital in medical records and saw how dirty a lot of the other doctors treated the nurses who had to do the dirty work. My OB/GYN isn't quite as adored by the nurses but he treats me and his other patients so well that I wonder what they do to annoy him. The L&D nurses at the hospital are pretty rude to the patients so I'm not sure I would blame him for being rude to them.

[novacation]

I support all business EXCEPT doctors and hospitals. Their prices are out of control.I don't use them, don't like the drug pushing they think they can use to solve all ills, and have had to fight more than once to get phony overcharges removed from bills. I've got an attitude about the whole system from personal experience. They don't like to listen and they really don't like to be questioned about their methods. So my view comes from a personal dislike. Nothing to do with hillary or liberals. They provide a crappy product at an inflated price. I'm just lucky I got out with my life.They're OK for broken bones and cuts, but don't have a grasp on much of what they claim as science. How many people do you know who they finished off with chemo-therapy? when I had my health problem doctor after doctor told me the same s**T. You've got to take this drug and your life is going to be f**ked. I got so fed up with them I quit going. If I had keep going they would have killed me with their BS.I recovered completly and faster without them. I just don't like them. Understand? Or are you one of the ones who looks at them as super stars?

[PA Engineer]

My wife is a doctor and I have very close first hand experience with patients such as you. You have many needs that doctors can not resolve. May I suggest you seek therapy.

[novacation]

Your wife my be a fine doctor, as far as doctors go, but you just reenforced my opinion of the arrogance of doctors.So you have first hand experience that doctors will miss mark at an alarming rate. Perfect. You have first hand experience with patients who recover, contrary to what a doctor may say. Perfect. Then you understand what I said about a crappy product at an inflated price.thanks. No insult directed towards your wife, eventhough you like send cheap shots and insults.At least you are one charactor close to health care that is cheap.

[microgood]

Any nation that destroys its most valuable citizens is doomed.

[microgood]

PA Engineer = Lawyer