While we had our little guy here for several days, I sort of
put everything else aside and just concentrated on him. Once he went home, and
after I could take a breather, I began to catch up on newspapers, mail, and
chores. One of my postal items was a letter from my neurologist, and it really
floored me (well, not literally, but…)
He has decided he will now be a “concierge” doctor, and will
be available 24/7 by phone, email, texts, and fax. Doesn’t that sound
fantastic!! Wait – read a bit more. “We are no longer taking medical
insurances.” They have two options: join a plan with an annual fee (of course
the amount isn’t mentioned) or pay a fee-for-service at “a lower cash price.” (They
cite as an example the $75 follow-up visit.)
Now, keep in mind, I do have disability Medicare and I pay a
monthly fee for additional insurance through BC/BS. With that, I only paid a
co-pay of $35 for specialists’ visits. Now, I’ll pay a fee for each visit that’s
more than twice the amount of the co-pay! I can’t stop my insurance because it
covers ALL my doctors, not just Dr. High and Mighty! My husband read the two-page letter three
times, thinking there had to be a better explanation. (I read it once, got it,
and exploded!)
Don’t get me wrong – in the beginning, he was fantastic. He
was kind and gentle, and he took the time to listen to his patients. He was a
young, single father of two little boys, and he’d relate their antics to me
when I’d ask how they were. Then he expanded his practice, and it became
difficult to get appointments in a timely manner. His nurse/receptionist was a
crack! She always had a smile and some silly anecdote to ease your tension. She
even went to the hospital the day I had the spinal tap, just to hold my hand. She
got fired, and was replaced by these officious clerks. One good thing with all
this – his nurse practitioner is now gone. I read that the doc remarried, and
he’s appeared on the society pages. He also began doing those talks that are
paid for by the drug companies. I guess he still needs more money.
The next step I’m supposed to take is calling the office to discuss
my transition with the “Director of Concierge Services.” I watch a show on USA
network, called “Royal Pains,” about a concierge doctor in the Hamptons. Maybe
my neuro saw the show and got the idea! All I’m certain of at this point is
that I really can’t afford this “wonderful service.” So, I’ll call and let them
know (rats, my Lenten plan calls for me to be kind to others!) and I’ll be
shopping for a new doctor. One more interesting thing – “As of February 1st,
this change will be permanently in effect.” I got the letter on February 24th!!
Does anyone else have this type of neurologist? Is there
something I’m missing? Am I just a hothead? I’m so at a loss right now.
Peace,
Muff
12 comments:
hi there - this is awful and su unjust, i never heard of this type of practice - sounds more like a guide for a cruise.
love gail
peace.....
Oh geeeezzzzz Muff, that just sucks. I am so lucky to live in Canada where health care is "free".
Can you file your visits to insurance yourself? Will they provide enough information for that?
Maybe it's because I live in one of the wealthiest counties (Palm Beach, and I'm NOT wealthy)that I have now encountered this problem three times. I never took them up on their "offer" and found new doctors. In each instance, the new doctor was better. I think it says something about the doctor's personal philosophy when this happens. Indeed, in one case, the nurse practioner refused to go along and found herself a new job. We followed her there. If Florida is any indication, though, this may be a harbinger of things to come,and not just going concierge but also not accepting Medicare (my only insurance). Yeah, it sucks.
Judy
Hi, Gail, You're right -- a cruise to bankruptcy!
Karen, I do know that Canadian healthcare is free. So, why do our US politicians make that sound like a BAD thing?
Talar, Welcome! I'll have to check that out. Sounds like a good idea.
Judy, So this is really happening elsewhere? It's frightening!
Peace,
Muff
What a bunch of ***** I hope in your search you find a better Dr. Good Luck!!
What a bunch of ***** I hope in your search you find a better Dr. Good Luck!!
Muff,
In a way I understand his plight. He expanded too fast, and expected too much. What with office space, and staff expenses, and malpractice insurance, I'm sure the expenses of running a practice are mch higher than anticipated. Also factor in that neurologists often get patients who are disabled and on Medicare - w/o the BC/BS.
I am on a Medicare Complete administered by United Healthcare, and my co-pays are picked up by DSHS because I am low income. Looking at their last statement, my neuro billed $211 for an outpatient office visit which lasts *usually about ten minutes. My insurance pays him $75.34, and my copay is $30 which (almost) adds up to the "adjustment" i.e. the approved amount by the insurance company of $105.66.
Medicare is automatically taken off the top of my disability check, so I don't exactly know how much I pay directly for that; I do know that (again, since I am low income) I pay the bargain price of $85.30 for my supplement/prescription policy.
All I am saying is, I don't think he is doing anything egregiously wrong, but I still would call around to see if you can find a neurologist who accepts Medicare. Fewer and fewer are - and not without good reason. Your doctor being young may be still paying off his student loans too!
Good luck, whatever you decide to do.
Sorry, Webster, I'm not in full agreement. I still haven't called to get the price of his new services, but I'm sure he'll lose more patients than he would have gained.
Peace,
Muff
Hi Muff,
Free healthcare sounds good in theory. There is a downside. There is a doctor shortage in Canada. My SIL has been without a doctor for over 4 years. No doctors are taking new patients until an existing one dies. My BIL has bladder cancer, his surgery is scheduled for the end of May. You cannot just move on to another doctor or specialist if you want to. Drugs are not covered by the public system. Hospital beds are diminishing every year. Wait times for tests and procedures are often over 4-5 months...etc
Lots of bad, but some good as well.
Hi, Muffy, Ditto from me!!
Oh, Karen, I'm so glad you clarified that. My husband has been telling me just what you said, and I've been saying he's wrong. Guess I'm having to eat 'Humble Pie' for dinner!
Peace,
Muff
Good neurologists are hard to find. Far Guys Neuro is acceptable..we have had worse. One would never return phone calls..Medical Care in the good old US of A sometimes leaves a lot to be desired:(
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