Some Proglodytes not keen on docs & patients making own medical choices

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

philosslayer (606 posts)

Medical practice growing after refusing health insurance
 
Skepticism often walks through the doors to see this doctor.

"It's because we've taken out all the middle. We've taken out all the mark-up. It's wholesale medicine," said Dr. James Pinckney, founder & CEO of Diamond Physicians.

The 32-year-old is among a growing number of doctors who no longer accept health insurance.

Instead, they charge clients like Gregg Bartus monthly fees. He pays $200 for unlimited visits and procedures without any co-pay.

http://www.wfaa.com/story/news/health/health-reform/2014/12/10/medical-practice-growing-after-refusing-health-insurance/20226959/

"Concierge" medicine for the wealthy and well to do. In a perfect would this wouldn't be legal, and its certainly not ethical.

upaloopa (6,065 posts)

4. The problem is that the doctors limit the number

of patients they see.

Doctors deciding how much they work -- and they still work -- to get paid is apparently more of a problem than Proglodytes that don't work and still get paid.

upaloopa (6,065 posts)

2. I don't know if it is illegal or unethical but

I see that a lot of people could not afford to pay $200 a month.
But as a business model it is better for the clinic than accepting everybody and what ever reimbursement you can get for the services.
I would like to know what medical professionals are paid in single payer countries compared to our system.
I was a controller of a clinic with 21 doctors.
Some actually worked all dsy and night and sometimes for free. Others worked a couple days a week. It seems those doctors had a comfortable life style and maintained it.

A lot of people can't afford sports cars either but that never got you retards to shutdown GM's Corvette assembly line.

The Velveteen Ocelot (39,328 posts)

5. Considering that $200/month is less than most health insurance premiums,
 
maybe this doctor's practice isn't necessarily limited to the wealthy. Almost everybody who has health insurance pays at least that much, and often for shitty coverage with co-pays and deductibles, even under the ACA. Maybe it's not that bad an idea. What this doctor is doing, in a way, is being an insurer. You pay him whether you need him or not, and he treats you when you need him, without having to pay more. I don't know whether (or if) this will or should catch on, but it's an interesting idea, and it beats insurance companies at their own game.

Freeper troll!   

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026299951

[Carl]

Do these mongrols not know in the world of socialized medicine they dream of it is always a 2 tiered system?

[thundley4]

The Velveteen Ocelot (39,328 posts)

5. Considering that $200/month is less than most health insurance premiums,
 
maybe this doctor's practice isn't necessarily limited to the wealthy. Almost everybody who has health insurance pays at least that much, and often for shitty coverage with co-pays and deductibles, even under the ACA. Maybe it's not that bad an idea. What this doctor is doing, in a way, is being an insurer. You pay him whether you need him or not, and he treats you when you need him, without having to pay more. I don't know whether (or if) this will or should catch on, but it's an interesting idea, and it beats insurance companies at their own game.

It sure weeds out the medicaid leeches but it also hurts Medicare.

Still, $200/month would be cheap.

ETA:  That monthly fee would likely be lower than COBRA payments if you get laid off, fired or quit a job.

[Bad Dog]

I have no problem with this model but, remember the $200 per month is for his services only.  If he sends you to the hospital or a specialist you are on your own.

[thundley4]

I have no problem with this model but, remember the $200 per month is for his services only.  If he sends you to the hospital or a specialist you are on your own.

Some of these doctors groups have their own labs or belong to labs where those fees are sometimes covered. However, a hospital stay could be problematic.

[Big Dog]

Some of these doctors groups have their own labs or belong to labs where those fees are sometimes covered. However, a hospital stay could be problematic.

A doctor I know in Wichita started a concierge practice, Atlas MD. He recommends that patients have high-deductible health insurance for hospitalizations.

[obumazombie]

1,000 patients under that structure would gross 1.2 million.
If you assume a 50% overhead taxable income would be $600,000.00.
After taxes You might be able to keep $300,000.00 or so.
I know an owner of a Chik-fil-A who is in that income neighborhood.

[FlaGator]

A doctor I know in Wichita started a concierge practice, Atlas MD. He recommends that patients have high-deductible health insurance for hospitalizations.

The kind of insurance that Obamacare bans. Actually Obamacare is being used in the same way the high-deductible plans were being used. No one goes to the doctor unless they're on death's door.

[obumazombie]

The kind of insurance that Obamacare bans. Actually Obamacare is being used in the same way the high-deductible plans were being used. No one goes to the doctor unless they're on death's door.

All the while owebuma is falsely claiming there are no death panels.

[HawkHogan]

Why can't we force our doctors to be our slaves?

[obumazombie]

Why can't we force our doctors to be our slaves?

Make them pay over $200,000.00 or more in tuition, then force them to work for free the rest of their lives.

[diesel driver]

Why can't we force our doctors to be our slaves?

That's what Barrycare was SUPPOSED to do, but it seems the "slaves" are smarter than their "masters".   

[delilahmused]

It's probably not allowed any more but people used to have catastrophic insurance for things like hospital stays and paid for regular & occasional visits out of pocket.

Cindie