Doctor at my last visit: "Speak quickly. Protocol says we have 8 minutes total including my dictation. I'm penalized if I don't see enough patients each day."

It's a business.

quote:

Originally posted by El Cid 92:
After 3 years of no contact.... you become a new patient all over again. This is based on Billing/Insurance rules.
<snip>
A simple med refill request resets the clock.

Thanks. Good to know.

quote:

Doctor at my last visit: "Speak quickly. Protocol says we have 8 minutes total including my dictation. I'm penalized if I don't see enough patients each day.

^^^^^^^^
Many physicians chose to be employees to avoid the hassles of dealing with insurance and billing issues. They have found they made a deal with the devil. Hospital administration promised they would keep their nose out of the exam office, but have broken that promise. Limits on how long patient visits should be, adding in extra visits to generate revenue. {Pre colonoscopy screenings with a NP even though you know the routine, requirements that patients be seen for medication refills etc.)
In more affluent communities some physicians have left corporate practice and opened concierge practices. You pay an annual fee and of course maintain insurance for hospital visits. Visits are much longer and in depth and same day appointments are available. This may work for well to do folks, but not for most of us.

I'm not that old, but I remember when you paid out of pocket to go to the doctor and carried medical insurance in case of a catastrophic event.

Insurance has ruined healthcare.

One of the big systems in my area was started by 5 nuns with $5.00 in 1872.

Today they have 23 hospitals, almost 40,000 employees and over 10,000 providers. They are gobbling up the independents like Halloween candy and are approaching $1 billion in yearly revenue.

If you have a good PCP, guard them like they were one of the family. They are pearls beyond price.

I found one last year, and she saved my life.

quote:

Originally posted by nosticks:

These are the warning signs that indicate you are at a business rather than a medical care office.

Doctor's offices are definitely businesses. Some are better run than others.

For one reason or another, I see my primary doctor at least once a year. Now I think it's every six months. When I moved, I said goodbye to my doctor and dentist so they knew I was no longer going to be coming to them.

I had a brother in law who retired and had never seen a doctor even though he paid for health insurance. He said he doesn't like to go to doctors because they just find something wrong with you. He ended up needing a doctor and it was difficult to get one as he had no medical history.

He turned out to be right. They found cancer and he died shortly afterwards.

Happened to my wife. Loyal patient... as needed... for a couple decades. Dropped, but would be accepted as a new patient, with a three month wait for an appointment. Dumb. If you have the capacity to accept new patients why drop an existing one.

What's next...
My preferred auto mechanic is very busy but I do all my own routine auto maintenance. So will I have to find a new mechanic every time if my car doesn't break down often enough?