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WhatNow
Say Cheese!
Member since 1/06 8033 total posts
Name:
A (formerly WhatNow?)
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Wait, so this doctor is saying that you have to PAY HIM for the honor of having him CHARGE your insurance that YOU pay for? 
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Posted 3/17/17 10:15 PM  |
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Mushesgirl
Too blessed to be stressed
Member since 4/09 6691 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
hearing this more and more often.
I posted months ago that my PCP office (employed by NYU) is now charging a fee to access their online patient portal $30 per year. I was (am) outraged by it. Refuse to pay it.
So expect more fees as a way for offices to cover costs. The VIP issue is to cut down on the sheer number of patients at the same time as covering administration.
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| Posted 3/18/17 12:22 AM |
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MrsM429
Mama x2 <3
Member since 12/10 4946 total posts
Name:
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Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
My parent's doctor switched to this type of practice a few years ago. There were some kinks that had to be worked out the first year, because many patients of his ended up paying the yearly fee and defeating the purpose of a VIP type program, but my parents said they are very happy with the services he provides. He does house visits also.
I haven't seen that type of program here in FL yet, but there are SO many walk in clinics here, that I believe that may be the reason it hasn't hit where I am yet.
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| Posted 3/18/17 10:14 AM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by LuckyStar
ETA: I also only see doctors employed by large hospitals (mostly NYU, a few Northwell). Not affiliated with, employed by. The doctors employed by large hospitals don't have all this overhead to cover, so they would never charge one of these ridiculous fees and, most importantly, they are, IMO, better doctors. Anyone with a medical license can open a private practice. A place like NYU or what have you will only hire the cream of the crop because they don't want sh!t doctors representing them.
You see I found the opposite. My GYN decided to go private and because of the high cost of insurance he no longer delivers baby but he felt that the quality of his care would decline if he signed on with a practice. On the other hand one of his colleagues who I used in the past was also a great attentive doctor. She did sign on to the hospital practice and during my last pregnancy, I used her since my GYN no longer did deliveries.
I was shocked but her service declined quite a bit. All my appointments were rushed and I definitely did not receive the level of attention or care she gave in the past. It was like a revolving door. As soon as I gave birth I went back to my original GYN. Every single appointment he takes his time.
IME there is a HUGE difference in the level of attention and quality of care. I definitely had to advocate for myself more while seeing her whereas my GYN guides me.
If he ever decided to do this concierge service I would gladly pay because he is that great.
Message edited 3/18/2017 11:19:26 AM.
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| Posted 3/18/17 11:17 AM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Thank you for all of your responses.
His letter acknowledges that he will be avail 24/7 via cell phone, reduce his practice size to 250 and will shorten office wait times.
It's a way of weeding out the have-nots IMO. I am so sad to leave him, but I have to.
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| Posted 3/18/17 11:10 PM |
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hmm
Sweet
Member since 1/14 8012 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by LIRascal
Thank you for all of your responses.
His letter acknowledges that he will be avail 24/7 via cell phone, reduce his practice size to 250 and will shorten office wait times.
It's a way of weeding out the have-nots IMO. I am so sad to leave him, but I have to.
MVP medicine is also called concierge medicine, it allows the MD to provide better quality of care without the quantity. You will be able to reachh him at 2 AM, if you need without a service. He will see you in the hospital and might even make a home visit.
Message edited 3/18/2017 11:33:44 PM.
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| Posted 3/18/17 11:33 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
I agree about the haves vs have nots. They can call it whatever they want but all they are "weeding out" are those who can't afford the exorborant yearly fee.
I find it morally wrong for a doctor. And it should be illegal
Message edited 3/19/2017 7:40:39 AM.
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| Posted 3/19/17 7:40 AM |
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ap123
LIF Infant
Member since 10/10 268 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
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| Posted 3/19/17 8:06 AM |
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lululu
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 9511 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
I agree - I think that the health insurance industry has ruined the health care profession because they pay out so little to the physicians now. It's almost not even worth it to spend so much time and money becoming a doctor because you don't reap the rewards like you used to. I'm sorry but if you spend 10+ years training around the clock for something and spend 100s of thousands of dollars obtaining a degree you deserve to make a substantial amount of money. If he is a good doctor and has the demand to warrant this, good for him! And if I had to pay that but didn't have to wait an hour plus in waiting rooms and could get a call back right away I might consider paying for it.
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| Posted 3/19/17 8:58 AM |
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bunnyluck
LIF Adult
Member since 1/14 3196 total posts
Name:
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Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
I'd pay it, worth it to me. I don't really see a problem with it.
Can only hope all the good doctors don't go completely private in the future, then we'll all really be ******.
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| Posted 3/19/17 9:33 AM |
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Chai77
Brighter days ahead
Member since 4/07 7364 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by bunnyluck
I'd pay it, worth it to me. I don't really see a problem with it.
Can only hope all the good doctors don't go completely private in the future, then we'll all really be ******.
Yeah but my issue is they want to enjoy the benefits of accepting insurance (referrals, payments etc), yet want the ability to charge what they want *in addition*.
I would have ZERO issue if they decided to stop taking insurance all together, then charge whatever fees you want. If you still have customers, great for you. But dipping into both pots feels wrong to me.
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| Posted 3/19/17 11:01 AM |
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Christine2
LIF Adult
Member since 2/09 1217 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by LuckyStar
A place like NYU or what have you will only hire the cream of the crop because they don't want sh!t doctors representing them.
Um, not so sure about that. The doctors there likely do not want the headache associated with operating their own practice.
ETA: Doctors who charge VIP think their time/beside manner is worth it. Patients who pay obviously think it must be worth it. Those that don't will go elsewhere and that is their prerogative.
Why can't a doctor dictate how much his/her time is worth? Why is that "unethical?" Insurance companies have long short changed doctors. Is that ethical? Have you spent 10+ years after high school getting a degree? If not, then your expectations are unrealistic.
Bottom line, you get what you pay for.
Message edited 3/19/2017 4:00:07 PM.
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| Posted 3/19/17 3:54 PM |
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Christine2
LIF Adult
Member since 2/09 1217 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by Chai77
Posted by bunnyluck
I'd pay it, worth it to me. I don't really see a problem with it.
Can only hope all the good doctors don't go completely private in the future, then we'll all really be ******.
Yeah but my issue is they want to enjoy the benefits of accepting insurance (referrals, payments etc), yet want the ability to charge what they want *in addition*.
I would have ZERO issue if they decided to stop taking insurance all together, then charge whatever fees you want. If you still have customers, great for you. But dipping into both pots feels wrong to me.
Many insurances are PPO, so they technically do not have to be in network to accept it. They can work with the insurance (accept payment). I'm not sure what this particular doctor is doing, but it may be something along these lines.
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| Posted 3/19/17 4:02 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
Then stop taking new patients. It is 100% allowable to not accept new patients.
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| Posted 3/19/17 7:24 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by Christine2
Posted by LuckyStar
A place like NYU or what have you will only hire the cream of the crop because they don't want sh!t doctors representing them.
Um, not so sure about that. The doctors there likely do not want the headache associated with operating their own practice.
Doctors employed by large, prestigious hospitals are required to devote a certain amount of time to research and teaching. They also have other doctors to weigh in on treatment options. They will always be on the cutting edge of new treatments because they have to be. Though, I don't doubt that avoiding the red tape is attractive to them as well.
20-30 years from now you'll be hard pressed to find a private practice doctor. They're going the way of the dinosaur. Personally, I think it's wonderful because it forces oversight and accountability AND avoids this VIP bs.
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| Posted 3/19/17 7:32 PM |
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ap123
LIF Infant
Member since 10/10 268 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
But if they stopped taking patients the revenue is too low to cover the cost of insurance and admin fees. So instead they charge an upfront fee and reduce the number of patients. I just don't understand why it's wrong for doctors to run a business. Of course not everyone will pay the fee, but that is the intended outcome to reduce the number of patients. In most fields it's acceptable to strive to be the best, and with that usually comes financial reward or flexible schedule. Why shouldn't this be true for doctors too?
My last attempt to make an appt with my LIJ pcp was a 4 month wait...which is fine, I'm generally healthy, but if I had medical concerns, sorry 4 months isn't good enough.
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
Then stop taking new patients. It is 100% allowable to not accept new patients.
Message edited 3/19/2017 7:47:23 PM.
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| Posted 3/19/17 7:44 PM |
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hmm
Sweet
Member since 1/14 8012 total posts
Name:
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Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
I know 2 people on a personal level who turned their practice this way. Both had/have a following. One decided he wanted to retire early in his career bc he is tired of dealing with medicine. His patients miss him
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| Posted 3/19/17 8:20 PM |
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hmm
Sweet
Member since 1/14 8012 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
Then stop taking new patients. It is 100% allowable to not accept new patients.
Unless in private practice and close
to retiring an MD cant just stop accepted new pts, most MD who work for ex, NSLIJ, they decide how many pt and scheduling. MD have very little if any say anymore, they are just an employee.
Message edited 3/19/2017 8:23:55 PM.
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| Posted 3/19/17 8:23 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by ap123
But if they stopped taking patients the revenue is too low to cover the cost of insurance and admin fees. So instead they charge an upfront fee and reduce the number of patients. I just don't understand why it's wrong for doctors to run a business. Of course not everyone will pay the fee, but that is the intended outcome to reduce the number of patients. In most fields it's acceptable to strive to be the best, and with that usually comes financial reward or flexible schedule. Why shouldn't this be true for doctors too?
My last attempt to make an appt with my LIJ pcp was a 4 month wait...which is fine, I'm generally healthy, but if I had medical concerns, sorry 4 months isn't good enough.
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
Then stop taking new patients. It is 100% allowable to not accept new patients.
The difference is that the business of medicine is life or death. If every doctor starts charging these fees, those who can't afford them will have nowhere to go.
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| Posted 3/19/17 10:08 PM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
But if they stopped taking patients the revenue is too low to cover the cost of insurance and admin fees. So instead they charge an upfront fee and reduce the number of patients. I just don't understand why it's wrong for doctors to run a business. Of course not everyone will pay the fee, but that is the intended outcome to reduce the number of patients. In most fields it's acceptable to strive to be the best, and with that usually comes financial reward or flexible schedule. Why shouldn't this be true for doctors too?
My last attempt to make an appt with my LIJ pcp was a 4 month wait...which is fine, I'm generally healthy, but if I had medical concerns, sorry 4 months isn't good enough.
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
Then stop taking new patients. It is 100% allowable to not accept new patients.
The difference is that the business of medicine is life or death. If every doctor starts charging these fees, those who can't afford them will have nowhere to go.
Everyone is up in arms over affordable health care, etc but what the eff is this?
Imagine all doctors start deciding they want to charge an exorborant yearly fee? Then what?
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| Posted 3/19/17 10:20 PM |
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ap123
LIF Infant
Member since 10/10 268 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
But if they stopped taking patients the revenue is too low to cover the cost of insurance and admin fees. So instead they charge an upfront fee and reduce the number of patients. I just don't understand why it's wrong for doctors to run a business. Of course not everyone will pay the fee, but that is the intended outcome to reduce the number of patients. In most fields it's acceptable to strive to be the best, and with that usually comes financial reward or flexible schedule. Why shouldn't this be true for doctors too?
My last attempt to make an appt with my LIJ pcp was a 4 month wait...which is fine, I'm generally healthy, but if I had medical concerns, sorry 4 months isn't good enough.
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
Then stop taking new patients. It is 100% allowable to not accept new patients.
The difference is that the business of medicine is life or death. If every doctor starts charging these fees, those who can't afford them will have nowhere to go.
Everyone is up in arms over affordable health care, etc but what the eff is this?
Imagine all doctors start deciding they want to charge an exorborant yearly fee? Then what?
It wouldn't happen because in order to get patients to
Pay you have to have already built a successful practice based on skill and patient care. So yes, some will go VIP but most won't. I seriously can't imagine spending 8 years in school and god knows how much tuition money to be told it's not fair for me to try to maximize my income.
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| Posted 3/19/17 10:32 PM |
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chilltocam
LIF Adult
Member since 11/11 9141 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by Christine2
Posted by LuckyStar
A place like NYU or what have you will only hire the cream of the crop because they don't want sh!t doctors representing them.
Um, not so sure about that. The doctors there likely do not want the headache associated with operating their own practice.
ETA: Doctors who charge VIP think their time/beside manner is worth it. Patients who pay obviously think it must be worth it. Those that don't will go elsewhere and that is their prerogative.
Why can't a doctor dictate how much his/her time is worth? Why is that "unethical?" Insurance companies have long short changed doctors. Is that ethical? Have you spent 10+ years after high school getting a degree? If not, then your expectations are unrealistic.
Bottom line, you get what you pay for.
"Patients who don't WANT to pay will go elsewhere and that's their prerogative"????? This is NOT a choice being made by the patient. Those who cannot afford to see doctors who decide to run their practice this way are being forced to seek treatment elsewhere. And it wouldn't surprise me in the least, that in the not too distant future, the only doctors available to those who cannot afford to pay this upfront fee are the newly minted doctors, fresh out of med school. Only the elite will have access to those who are tops in their field. I'm not saying that doctors are not entitled to make good money and I don't know what the right answer is, but access to good medical care should not depend on ones socio-economic status.
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| Posted 3/19/17 11:10 PM |
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hmm
Sweet
Member since 1/14 8012 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by ap123
Posted by NervousNell
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
But if they stopped taking patients the revenue is too low to cover the cost of insurance and admin fees. So instead they charge an upfront fee and reduce the number of patients. I just don't understand why it's wrong for doctors to run a business. Of course not everyone will pay the fee, but that is the intended outcome to reduce the number of patients. In most fields it's acceptable to strive to be the best, and with that usually comes financial reward or flexible schedule. Why shouldn't this be true for doctors too?
My last attempt to make an appt with my LIJ pcp was a 4 month wait...which is fine, I'm generally healthy, but if I had medical concerns, sorry 4 months isn't good enough.
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by ap123
I can see how it's a have vs have not thing. But should doctors work around the clock with their phone always ringing because they have 2000 patients? Are they not entitled to run their practice like a business and enjoy some time with their families. To me trashing Dr for making money is the same as people who have nasty things to say about teachers getting paid too much. It's a job, it's not
Volunteer work
Then stop taking new patients. It is 100% allowable to not accept new patients.
The difference is that the business of medicine is life or death. If every doctor starts charging these fees, those who can't afford them will have nowhere to go.
Everyone is up in arms over affordable health care, etc but what the eff is this?
Imagine all doctors start deciding they want to charge an exorborant yearly fee? Then what?
It wouldn't happen because in order to get patients to
Pay you have to have already built a successful practice based on skill and patient care. So yes, some will go VIP but most won't. I seriously can't imagine spending 8 years in school and god knows how much tuition money to be told it's not fair for me to try to maximize my income.
I agree with you. The two Dr's I know that went this route spent years building a strong very successful practice and are VERY respected in their field by patients and my their peers. Most MDs will not go the VIP route.
My PCP did not become VIP, because she was always part of a group practice her husband was always a solo provider.
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| Posted 3/19/17 11:12 PM |
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LIRascal
drama. daily.
Member since 3/11 7287 total posts
Name:
Michelle
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Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
I think the ridiculous malpractice costs for them and the awful, nitpicking insurance company policies have something to do with this, too. While this Dr. Is so highly regarded, he's not a millionaire and doesn't live up in muttontown. He's a regular guy who wants to practice medicine with the attention and care he intended to provide when he took his oath.
I'm just so frustrated that some of us cannot afford it. I don't want to go to a stranger in urgent care.
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| Posted 3/20/17 12:56 AM |
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Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4289 total posts
Name:
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Re: Doctor VIP/subscription only program?
Posted by blu6385
That's ridiculous!! I would never pay that!!
This is an example on whats wrong with our health care in our country. We need to regulate how much everything costs!! Marketing up things by over 100% is uncalled for. Doctors charging patients just to use them on top of regular costs is ridiculous. By doing that is going to cause less people to see doctors regularly! Drs doing thing will push more and more people just to use urgent care rather than them.
I see this differently. There are a LOT of doctors who don't take insurance. jst payment from you. SO if you want to see THAT doctor, YOU pay out of pocket.
This is for more wealthy people who go to see some of the top doctors. But yes, there are doctors who don't take insurance wjo are not at "the top".
Its a free market and they charge what they want.
if my dermatologist did this I would be eating Ramen noodle for a while, but I would not leave his practice. That's how important it is to me to keep this ONE doctor.
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| Posted 3/20/17 11:53 AM |
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