My doctor basically just fired me

[kenny]

20 years ago a smart friend recommended I choose this primary care physician but his practice was full that I should keep calling back till someone dies.

I did and I got in.
I've seen him since and love this doctor.

6 months ago I got an invitation from him for some event in which he would present the principles of his new practice.
I didn't bother going, assuming it was some stupid wine and horse douvie social thing where he'd tell us to exercise more and eat healthier.

Well I just got another letter listing 4 other recommended physicians if I do not want to "join" his new practice.
I was perplexed because I've been his patient for 20 years.

Today's Saturday so I left a voice message.
He called me back within 30 minutes since he happened to be in the office.
He said the tone of my message pulled at his heart.

He explained primary care physicians can't spend enough time with their patients.
They have to settle for tiny insurance payouts and he makes less than RNs and his annual income today is less than it was 20 years ago.

His new "practice" is to change office visits from 10 to 30 minutes, shrink his patients from 4000 to 400 and give them his personal cellphone, email address and 24/7 access to him.
Oh and to remain his patient we each must pay him $1,800 up front annually, which does not pay for anything; we still get billed for every service the same as before.

Bye Bye.
WTflyingF?

 

[mrs jam]

What the heck?? I have never heard of such a thing! I hope this is not going to become a common practice. I love my doctor, and my great relationship with her has really increased my comfort level with doctor appointments in general. If it weren't for that comfort level and trust, I probably wouldn't be so responsible in scheduling my visits annually.

That stinks, Kenny!

 

[kenny]

It's called concierge service.

http://blogs.reuters.com/reuters-money/2011/07/18/is-a-concierge-doctor-worth-the-cost/

My monthly insurance premiums were $650 two years ago and rose to $950 so I cancelled my policy.
I'm now among the uninsured.

I'm fvcked.
I'm pissed.

 

[Dee*Jay]

The XH's doc did the same thing with his practice about fours ago. Apparently it is becoming pretty common.

 

[Kaleigh]

I know how you feel Kenny. I got the letter about the fee's for my doc going into concierge practice. My doc is family practice , so my kids have gone since they were in their teens..

I panicked thinking, I don't go that often, and no I don't want to pay 3k....

So I called, they said that letter was sent to all, but they will still see me and my adult kids as need be.

Actually when I go I often just see the nurse practioner as my needs are minor. BUT I need to know he will care for me if the sh*t hits the fan so to speak. I have a neurologist, am sick with nerve damage and is progressive but thank god he hasn't fired me..

Health care is wacko.

 

[Haven]

I've never heard of this before. Yikes.

I'm sorry to hear that you're uninsured and now you have to find a new doctor, Kenny.

It seems doctors are really feeling the squeeze financially. My mother recently went in for a routine physical, and then received a bill that charged for two visits, not just the one she actually had. Thinking it was a simple error, she called in to have it fixed. Nope, no error. Her doctor charged her a double visit because he spent "an unusual amount of time" discussing her blood pressure. This was their conversation:
Dr: You have high blood pressure, I recommend the DASH diet.
Mom: Great. What is the DASH diet?
Dr: My staff will give you a sheet explaining on the way out.
Mom: Great, thank you.
And then she was given a photocopy of a sheet of info (taken straight from the Internet) on her way out.

She went ballistic at the charge, and told them, "He spent more time asking me about my recent trip to Europe!" She's disputing the charge, we'll see what happens. My question is: If that's too much conversation, what is a normal conversation?
Dr: You have high blood pressure, I recommend the DASH diet.
Mom: Okay.
?????

 

[Deactivated member 42515]

That is silly! Just plain silly!

I went to my doctor, well now ex doctor for migraines. The first ten minutes were about my migraines and he prescribed me medication. The next hour and twenty minutes was about his war stories and his son going off to college. Everytime I tried to leave, he would start a new story. When the insurance bill came, I got charged for three separate office visits. He talked about his freaking war stories!!

 

[radiantquest]

That is insane and it makes me sad.

I thought drs went into practicing medicine because they want to "help people". Charging all his patients $2k on top of the bills for appointments is ignorant as far as I am concerned.

I hope that my doctor doesnt get that idea. I will leave her quick! I guess if they all start doing that I will just not have a family doctor and go to patient first for everything.

Going to a patient first type place is already cheaper and they give you your prescriptions when you leave instead of waiting and paying extra for them. The whole reason I got to the doctor that I do is because I have been going there forever and I like to support her and her practice locally.

The world is really getting bad

 

[asscherisme]

20 years ago a smart friend recommended I choose this primary care physician but his practice was full that I should keep calling back till someone dies.

I did and I got in.
I've seen him since and love this doctor.

6 months ago I got an invitation from him for some event in which he would present the principles of his new practice.
I didn't bother going, assuming it was some stupid wine and horse douvie social thing where he'd tell us to exercise more and eat healthier.

Well I just got another letter listing 4 other recommended physicians if I do not want to "join" his new practice.
I was perplexed because I've been his patient for 20 years.

Today's Saturday so I left a voice message.
He called me back within 30 minutes since he happened to be in the office.
He said the tone of my message pulled at his heart.

He explained primary care physicians can't spend enough time with their patients.
They have to settle for tiny insurance payouts and he makes less than RNs and his annual income today is less than it was 20 years ago.

His new "practice" is to change office visits from 10 to 30 minutes, shrink his patients from 4000 to 400 and give them his personal cellphone, email address and 24/7 access to him.
Oh and to remain his patient we each must pay him $1,800 up front annually, which does not pay for anything; we still get billed for every service the same as before.

Bye Bye.
WTflyingF?

You were NOT fired. He got greedy. He is telling you he now will charge $720,000 to his patients for doing nothing, no work, no services. And then buco bucks on top of that. I'm very familiar with health care costs insurance prices and cost of mediine is crazy., and doctors making less, but I'm sorry doctors who choose to go to concierge medicine are not in medicine to help people, they are in medicine for their own greed. I do have halth insurance but it stinks. Changing gears, I don't care how much I like a doctor, I would be the one to fire them if I got this sort of letter.

Sorry you are in a tough spot.

 

[justginger]

Holy moly, this is a totally foreign concept to me. I would be very unimpressed.

$950/month in insurance premiums? Even $650? Is that normal for the States now? My husband has private health insurance and we grumbled when the premiums recently went over $70/month!

 

[JulieN]

Ho sheeeit. asscherisme is right: 400*$1800 = $720,000

Anyway, I recommend primary care doctors who are somewhat newly out of school and don't have a sizeable patient base. I can't stand doctors who are too busy.

I don't think doctors are feeling the squeeze, I think they are just plain greedy.

 

[rosetta]

Well, if you don't have a public health system, it's a free market so your doctors are free to do as they like.

It's their prerogative to charge what they feel their time is worth. You are free to get another doctor, yes?

People go into medicine for all sorts of reasons, sometimes just for the money. Exceptionally good doctors will expect to be paid exceptionally well, just like other professionals


I don't understand the American health system very well, but I don't see how what your doctor did is illegal or immoral. He is just changing the way he practices and given you the choice to purchase the new services.

 

[Missy]

That's a difficult experience Kenny. That would be traumatic for me if my doctor decided to do the same.

OTOH I couldn't blame him. With all the changes in healthcare and insurance reimbursements/cut/raising of premiums the concept of concierge medicine does not surprise me.

To generalize (as some here have done) and say that these type of doctors go into medicine for the money is disappointing. I think the majority of doctors choose their field because they do want to make a difference and ease people's suffering however they also intend to make a good living doing so. When did that become a dirty thought or dream? Everyone deserves to make a good living if they put in the time, energy and hard work IMO. In my mind, that's the real "American Dream".

Remember what President Obama said during a speech?

Nobody gets to write your destiny but you. Your future is in your hands. Your life is what you make of it. And nothing -- absolutely nothing -- is beyond your reach, so long as you’re willing to dream big, so long as you’re willing to work hard. So long as you’re willing to stay focused on your education, there is not a single thing that any of you cannot accomplish, not a single thing. I believe that.

So these young hardworking men and women chose healthcare as their profession and they are getting excuse my french screwed to some degree for sure. Malpractice premiums in the USA are sky high. As an example, good friend of mine is an OB/GYN and she is going to have to drop the OB part probably and that is the whole reason she went into medicine. The professional liability insurance has gone up ridiculously high and she has never been sued. But this country is sue crazy and hence the reason for the very high rates. And add to that the nickel and diming that the insurance companies are doing to us and the doctors and well it's a recipe for disaster.

There seems to be something wrong with a society that puts more importance on the Olympic games/professional and college sports, etc than it does its own healthcare. A very sad state of affairs all around with us paying the too high (literally and figuratively) price.

 

[pinkjewel]

The health care system has totally gotten out of control in the US. Coming from a medically oriented family I understand the squeeze being put on doctors- my DH, brother, and step son are all Doctors. The insurance companies and Medicare reimbursements are getting less and less. It some cases the reimbursements are soooo low they do not even pay the staff required for testing! To give an example, my brother is an invasive cardiologist. A stress test reimbursement does not even cover the nurse's salary for the time it takes to run it in some cases. My DH is seeing more and more patients and getting less money. The practice is more or less requiring it as the staff has to be paid,too! He hates practicing this way. He used to love to spend time with his patients. Now he feels hurried and frustrated. Electronic medical records now required have been a nightmare. Filing insurance claims has become ridiculous-some having to be refiled several times for a comma being out of place (OK-maybe the comma is a slight exaggeration,but you get my drift). More and more Doctors are selling their practices to hospitals to avoid the nightmare of staffing and paperwork (now electronically). In many towns if a patient is on Medicare they can not find a primary care Doctor!! Doctors are not accepting new patients with Medicare because the reimbursements are too low. Most of the problems have been because of things the government have put in place. I can't imagine the nightmare if our government took over health care entirely!
With all that said, I don't agree with a Doctor charging almost $2000 up front for the "privledge"of remaining his patient. That's going from one extreme to the other! Sorry you will need to find another Doctor. It's not easy these days to find a good one that is accepting new patients.

 

[Amys Bling]

Eek. That is crazy- I understand it's a free country and he can choose to do this- but.... I don't know. Is this the new wave of medicine in the future? Is your doctor the first in a line of many??

 

[Madam Bijoux]

There are plenty of good doctors out there. I would tell that one to take a long walk off a short pier. Whatever happened to the Hippocratic Oath?

 

[icekid]

Ho sheeeit. asscherisme is right: 400*$1800 = $720,000

Anyway, I recommend primary care doctors who are somewhat newly out of school and don't have a sizeable patient base. I can't stand doctors who are too busy.

I don't think doctors are feeling the squeeze, I think they are just plain greedy.

Sorry, do you actually think he is pocketing 720k? Do you have any idea what it costs to run an office? Pay your nurses, techs, secretaries, plus all of their benefits? Give me a break.

Greedy? No. This man spent at minimum 11 years in training for his job. Wasted away his 20s studying. Spent countless nights away from his family. Did not start his real first job until he was in his 30s. He believes he deserves to make more money and have more time to spend with his patients. Sounds about right to me. But I agree that it us awful for this physician AND Kenny that his doctor was forced to make this decision.

In my field, medicare reimburses 1/3 of what private insurane does. We do not even bother to bill people with medicaid, as it costs more to bill them than we even collect. So, apparently, doctors should assume all of the liability that comes with being a physician (this is the good ol' USA afterall and people WILL sue you for saving their life) and not receive any compensation? Really? How is this appropriate? What a disaster of a situation we have all been forced into.

I do not understand Americans. You are looked upon as greedy if you expect to make a wage commensurate with your education, training, and sheer number of hours worked. Doctors have to be martyrs to their cause? Why? Since when? I will readily admit I would not have gone into medicine if it were not relatively well-compensated. I work HARD. I spend countless days and nights away from my husband and son. What I do takes knowledge that took me over 12 years to acquire. Peoples lives are in my hands everyday; stressful! Patients will sue me. The mortgage size education loans cannot be paid without a reasonable salary. If/when doctors do make earn enough money to make the many, many sacrafices worthwhile, there will be a lot of regret.

I am saddened and frustrated that doctors have become such an enemy in this country. We are going to lose many good physicians to a very broken system (and no obamacare is not going to fix it.) These are difficult times for both patients and doctors.

 

[pinkjewel]

Ho sheeeit. asscherisme is right: 400*$1800 = $720,000

Anyway, I recommend primary care doctors who are somewhat newly out of school and don't have a sizeable patient base. I can't stand doctors who are too busy.

I don't think doctors are feeling the squeeze, I think they are just plain greedy.

Sorry, do you actually think he is pocketing 720k? Do you have any idea what it costs to run an office? Pay your nurses, techs, secretaries, plus all of their benefits? Give me a break.

Greedy? No. This man spent at minimum 11 years in training for his job. Wasted away his 20s studying. Spent countless nights away from his family. Did not start his real first job until he was in his 30s. He believes he deserves to make more money and have more time to spend with his patients. Sounds about right to me. But I agree that it us awful for this physician AND Kenny that his doctor was forced to make this decision.

In my field, medicare reimburses 1/3 of what private insurane does. We do not even bother to bill people with medicaid, as it costs more to bill them than we even collect. So, apparently, doctors should assume all of the liability that comes with being a physician (this is the good ol' USA afterall and people WILL sue you for saving their life) and not receive any compensation? Really? How is this appropriate? What a disaster of a situation we have all been forced into.

I do not understand Americans. You are looked upon as greedy if you expect to make a wage commensurate with your education, training, and sheer number of hours worked. Doctors have to be martyrs to their cause? Why? Since when? I will readily admit I would not have gone into medicine if it were not relatively well-compensated. I work HARD. I spend countless days and nights away from my husband and son. What I do takes knowledge that took me over 12 years to acquire. Peoples lives are in my hands everyday; stressful! Patients will sue me. The mortgage size education loans cannot be paid without a reasonable salary. If/when doctors do make earn enough money to make the many, many sacrafices worthwhile, there will be a lot of regret.

I am saddened and frustrated that doctors have become such an enemy in this country. We are going to lose many good physicians to a very broken system (and no obamacare is not going to fix it.) These are difficult times for both patients and doctors.

+1 Very well said.

 

[MissGotRocks]

Ho sheeeit. asscherisme is right: 400*$1800 = $720,000

Anyway, I recommend primary care doctors who are somewhat newly out of school and don't have a sizeable patient base. I can't stand doctors who are too busy.

I don't think doctors are feeling the squeeze, I think they are just plain greedy.

Sorry, do you actually think he is pocketing 720k? Do you have any idea what it costs to run an office? Pay your nurses, techs, secretaries, plus all of their benefits? Give me a break.

Greedy? No. This man spent at minimum 11 years in training for his job. Wasted away his 20s studying. Spent countless nights away from his family. Did not start his real first job until he was in his 30s. He believes he deserves to make more money and have more time to spend with his patients. Sounds about right to me. But I agree that it us awful for this physician AND Kenny that his doctor was forced to make this decision.

In my field, medicare reimburses 1/3 of what private insurane does. We do not even bother to bill people with medicaid, as it costs more to bill them than we even collect. So, apparently, doctors should assume all of the liability that comes with being a physician (this is the good ol' USA afterall and people WILL sue you for saving their life) and not receive any compensation? Really? How is this appropriate? What a disaster of a situation we have all been forced into.

I do not understand Americans. You are looked upon as greedy if you expect to make a wage commensurate with your education, training, and sheer number of hours worked. Doctors have to be martyrs to their cause? Why? Since when? I will readily admit I would not have gone into medicine if it were not relatively well-compensated. I work HARD. I spend countless days and nights away from my husband and son. What I do takes knowledge that took me over 12 years to acquire. Peoples lives are in my hands everyday; stressful! Patients will sue me. The mortgage size education loans cannot be paid without a reasonable salary. If/when doctors do make earn enough money to make the many, many sacrafices worthwhile, there will be a lot of regret.

I am saddened and frustrated that doctors have become such an enemy in this country. We are going to lose many good physicians to a very broken system (and no obamacare is not going to fix it.) These are difficult times for both patients and doctors.

I totally understand what you are saying and I am sympathetic to the cause. My favorite primary physician quit years ago and went to the ER. He was tired of all of the nonsense but the problem is that the insurance companies are running health care these days - not the doctors. The public at large is just as victimized by this as you are. We are all in this same, sad boat together.

 

[rosetta]

Ho sheeeit. asscherisme is right: 400*$1800 = $720,000

Anyway, I recommend primary care doctors who are somewhat newly out of school and don't have a sizeable patient base. I can't stand doctors who are too busy.

I don't think doctors are feeling the squeeze, I think they are just plain greedy.

Sorry, do you actually think he is pocketing 720k? Do you have any idea what it costs to run an office? Pay your nurses, techs, secretaries, plus all of their benefits? Give me a break.

Greedy? No. This man spent at minimum 11 years in training for his job. Wasted away his 20s studying. Spent countless nights away from his family. Did not start his real first job until he was in his 30s. He believes he deserves to make more money and have more time to spend with his patients. Sounds about right to me. But I agree that it us awful for this physician AND Kenny that his doctor was forced to make this decision.

In my field, medicare reimburses 1/3 of what private insurane does. We do not even bother to bill people with medicaid, as it costs more to bill them than we even collect. So, apparently, doctors should assume all of the liability that comes with being a physician (this is the good ol' USA afterall and people WILL sue you for saving their life) and not receive any compensation? Really? How is this appropriate? What a disaster of a situation we have all been forced into.

I do not understand Americans. You are looked upon as greedy if you expect to make a wage commensurate with your education, training, and sheer number of hours worked. Doctors have to be martyrs to their cause? Why? Since when? I will readily admit I would not have gone into medicine if it were not relatively well-compensated. I work HARD. I spend countless days and nights away from my husband and son. What I do takes knowledge that took me over 12 years to acquire. Peoples lives are in my hands everyday; stressful! Patients will sue me. The mortgage size education loans cannot be paid without a reasonable salary. If/when doctors do make earn enough money to make the many, many sacrafices worthwhile, there will be a lot of regret.

I am saddened and frustrated that doctors have become such an enemy in this country. We are going to lose many good physicians to a very broken system (and no obamacare is not going to fix it.) These are difficult times for both patients and doctors.

+1 Very well said.

+2

Doctors are usually on their patients' side. I know I am. Sometimes its utterly frustrating trying to work in a beaurocratic nightmare. It really doesn't help that some people have no clue how many sacrifices we have made. If I was paid for the hours I worked unpaid, I'd earn twice as much easily.


Excuse me while I go do some more unpaid work on my weekend off......

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

This has been going on for a number of yrs. I think it is a Dr's right to choose how they want to practice. It sounds as if we will have a two tiered system in health care, with money the deciding factor. In one way I'm glad the Dr. wants to spend more time with their patients. When i hear practices are made up of 30,000 pts, I cringe. I doubt though that all Drs can make this change, as people can't afford it on top of some insurance premiums. And Kenny, i'm more than a little surprised that you would leave yourself without health insurance with your cancer diagnosis.i don't understand that.

I personally do not want to listen to the Drs complaints about schooling, loans, time away from family, as any idiot knows that about medicine. If you go into it, try to own up to your own decisions and not expect the world to make you exempt from your life choices. When a PHD drives a cab because he can't get a job, we don't here the litany of -I work so hard, you must pay me a lot. Or lawyers, who have a hard time of it as well in life at times. They don't bo ho like Drs do. I say cool it Drs.

I know one thing. I have never ever felt that my Doctors were thinking about money vs my health care. Most have done an excellent job--I've been pretty sick__ Yes, they should make a good wage, but they must become better businessmen as well. Some are pretty bad at it. Just ask them the cost of the service you are receiving.

Kenny, sorry about your Dr. He wants to practice differently. I see his point. I might do the same.

Annette

 

[wildcat03]

That is insane and it makes me sad.

I thought drs went into practicing medicine because they want to "help people". Charging all his patients $2k on top of the bills for appointments is ignorant as far as I am concerned.

I hope that my doctor doesnt get that idea. I will leave her quick! I guess if they all start doing that I will just not have a family doctor and go to patient first for everything.

Going to a patient first type place is already cheaper and they give you your prescriptions when you leave instead of waiting and paying extra for them. The whole reason I got to the doctor that I do is because I have been going there forever and I like to support her and her practice locally.

The world is really getting bad

First of all, it's not 720,000 just for the physician. It's 720,000 minus rent (or mortgage if he's lucky enough to own his office), minus staff salaries and benefits, malpractice costs, costs for electronic medical records, utilities, and all the other little things that pop up in running a small business.

There is a service difference with these concierge practices, and it has to do with access. Most of the concierge doctors will meet you at the ER and if you need to be admitted will expedite getting your upstairs. I've only ever seen two regular doctors meet their patients in the ER. They will answer their phone on weekends and holidays and may be able to find ways to keep you out of the ER or out of hte hospital because you have such good, close followup with your primary physician.

Doctors DID go into medicine because they like helping people. There is NOTHING else that will get you through 4 long, very expensive years of medical school (my med school tuition alone was 40,000/yr, not to mention living expenses). There was NO way to work more than about 6 hours a week during the first two years, and pretty much no way to work AT ALL during the last two years. Then I started residency. 80+ hours a week for four years. One weekend off a month. Amidst all that, I'm expected to attend 5 hours of weekly conference, complete 100+ pages of reading for it each week, as well as produce a publishable research project. And work? Not a pleasant environment. I work in a busy, hectic ER. The nurses are all unhappy with their management right now, and it shows in their attitude toward everything.

At the end of the day, doctors have to make a living too. Every doctor I know has sacrificed most of their 20s and much of their 30s to training. We are not necessarily greedy for wanting to pay back our student loans and spend time with our families - we are just human.

By the way, $720,000/yr equates to $360 hourly. I know MANY lawyers who bill that. Are they greedy?

 

[Mikla]

And Obamacare is going to expand the current system of PPOs and HMOs, under government oversight with a new name and additional taxes disguised as penalties, to cover more people, which will make more doctors opt out of the system because they can't make any money under these insurance plans, and we are supposed to be happy about this "landmark" legislation??? So this problem is just going to get worse and worse, with those who can afford to self-pay receiving the best care, while the rest of us will rely on an over-burdened, under-funded system in which fewer and fewer doctors will elect to participate (and I don't blame them). The government can't even manage the economy and its own budget effectively, and now we're going to let them run healthcare which they know even less about. Seriously??? The cost of care will go up, the US deficit will go up, and service levels will go way, way down. If the CEO of a public company introduced a plan like that, the stock would drop like a rock and the board would fire him/her in five minutes. Expect more doctors to go the concierge route. I'm not for or against any political party, but we as Americans have let this happen either by action or non-action. If we want to change the system, we have to participate in the process, take action and let our voices be heard.

 

[PintoBean]

I remember being in college, friend telling me 10+ years ago how her father, an obgyn, going thru a 2nd divorce only brought home $50K at the end of the day through his practice between the high insurance, and the costs of having an office in NYC. He could not scrape by between the divorce and his practice. I remember being shocked by this eye-opener - not all MDs are rolling in dough? He ended up closing his practice and working at a hospital.

The comments provided by everyone brings more clarity to the above.

Have you seen the show on USA network - Royal Pains about concierge medicine in the Hamptons?

 

[JulieN]

My family is medically oriented: 4 primary care doctors, a plastic surgeon, two pharmacists, 3 optometrists. One of those, my sister, just graduated from pharmacy school and her loans are just as much as any freshly minted MD. My boyfriend also comes from a medically orirented family, is hoping to go to medical school, and many our friends are in med school or have recently graduated. I still think it's greed. My friend just leased a new BMW upon graduation, facing nothing more than a resident's salary. Socially, I know that they are often meeting up for dinner at the nicest steakhouse in town. The idea of being a "doctor's wife" has cache, and she thinks she deserves a designer handbag for just being someone's wife. That is greedy to me. When the doctors don't drive luxury/sports cars, whose wives have modest diamond rings, who don't live in the toniest enclaves where a bunch of other doctors and lawyers live, and aren't flashing that Gucci, that Fendi, that Prada, (my cousin favors Hermes) and then I will feel much better about it all.

Then there's my uncle: primary care, sees mostly Medicare/Medicaid patients, has small caseload so that he gets to spends at least 20-30 minutes with all his patients, never orders unnecessary tests unless the patient asks for it. All of these things are considered... ah... not money optimizing. And you know, he still made enough money to pay off his wife's grad school loans when they got married only a few years afte he graduated, who was then a SAHM for many years, and they live fancy house in Newport Beach, where she drives a luxury SUV.

I'm a raging liberal and a diamond forum is probably the wrong place for this.

 

[ame]

I have heard of that around here lately too, that is becoming a new "trend". One of the doctors said it was his "retaliation towards obamacare" or something.

 

[movie zombie]

this happened to me with the dr i was seeing for thyroid issues.....but it happened about 1.5-2 years ago.

her excuse? she was tired of hearing her husband complain about her hours and with this type of "business plan" she'd be able to focus attention on the 400 and have more time with her husband.

up front for this was more than $1800 and no insurance accepted. i didn't care for her that much anyway.......

 

[monarch64]

I'm sorry, Kenny. You know what would be awesome? If doctors worked for the love of their jobs and for helping people instead of for profit. But that's just not how the world works. So unfortunate but so true. Doesn't make them terrible people, just makes them human beans. And sometimes human beans just suck.

 

[Missy]

I'm sorry, Kenny. You know what would be awesome? If doctors worked for the love of their jobs and for helping people instead of for profit. But that's just not how the world works. So unfortunate but so true. Doesn't make them terrible people, just makes them human beans. And sometimes human beans just suck.

Monarch, would you work for little pay relative to your skill and what you have to offer people?

 

[sparklyheart]

Sorry, do you actually think he is pocketing 720k? Do you have any idea what it costs to run an office? Pay your nurses, techs, secretaries, plus all of their benefits? Give me a break.

Greedy? No. This man spent at minimum 11 years in training for his job. Wasted away his 20s studying. Spent countless nights away from his family. Did not start his real first job until he was in his 30s. He believes he deserves to make more money and have more time to spend with his patients. Sounds about right to me. But I agree that it us awful for this physician AND Kenny that his doctor was forced to make this decision.

In my field, medicare reimburses 1/3 of what private insurane does. We do not even bother to bill people with medicaid, as it costs more to bill them than we even collect. So, apparently, doctors should assume all of the liability that comes with being a physician (this is the good ol' USA afterall and people WILL sue you for saving their life) and not receive any compensation? Really? How is this appropriate? What a disaster of a situation we have all been forced into.

I do not understand Americans. You are looked upon as greedy if you expect to make a wage commensurate with your education, training, and sheer number of hours worked. Doctors have to be martyrs to their cause? Why? Since when? I will readily admit I would not have gone into medicine if it were not relatively well-compensated. I work HARD. I spend countless days and nights away from my husband and son. What I do takes knowledge that took me over 12 years to acquire. Peoples lives are in my hands everyday; stressful! Patients will sue me. The mortgage size education loans cannot be paid without a reasonable salary. If/when doctors do make earn enough money to make the many, many sacrafices worthwhile, there will be a lot of regret.

I am saddened and frustrated that doctors have become such an enemy in this country. We are going to lose many good physicians to a very broken system (and no obamacare is not going to fix it.) These are difficult times for both patients and doctors.

This!

Also, he's just made himself available and on-call 24/7.

No one wants to pay for anything but everyone wants everything handed to them by the government. That works well.. oh wait, no it doesn't. (This is not directed at anyone in particular but at the US culture as a whole)