1. provide the service
2. submit a bill
3. wait to collect
4. actually collect about 30%

How do you get paid? For example, the typical ER doc in a hospital – how does he/she get paid?

“the care was not substandard. that is your assumption. they did not disclose important information, nor did they follow up as told.”

I assumed nothing. You kept throwing up all these justifications for the care they received. I was simply wondering if the care was substandard. You implied that because they didn’t pay, didn’t have an appointment, etc. that they were to take whatever they got and like it.

very few physicians in the community or on salary or fixed fee contract. really, its true. think about it. are you CJD? we have been telling you this for a long time.

“So does that mean they can expect substandard care?”

the care was not substandard. that is your assumption. they did not disclose important information, nor did they follow up as told.

Does a gas station get the opportunity to be on salary or a fixed fee contract? Think about it.

“They are asking for care without a co-pay, without the inconvenience or making an appointment, often without a thorough exam because of embarrassment. They are imposing to get “the favor” and often don’t follow up.”

So does that mean they can expect substandard care? On the one hand, you’re lecturing about the charity work, and on the other, you’re saying the lack of a copay means that no one can expect you to perform well if they don’t pay.

Does a gas station get paid for a drive-off or a restaurant for an eat and run?

“If you do something as a favor, is the recipient agreeing to substandard care?”

They are asking for care without a co-pay, without the inconvenience or making an appointment, often without a thorough exam because of embarrassment. They are imposing to get “the favor” and often don’t follow up. Now the answer is easy, we just say NO and tell them to register and sign in like any other patient. Incidently these “favors” wouldn’t be covered under our malpractice policy because they really weren’t patients —- because it was a favor.

So then how do you make the claim about “real concerns” if you have no idea whether the concerns are warranted?

“In my ER 30% of people don’t pay so it is essentially charity work.”

Do you still get paid the same? If so, then that’s not charity work on YOUR part, that charity work on the hospital’s part. Some of which it may agree to do in exchange for agreements limiting competition.

“Some would argue this group of people is more litiginous, but I suspect they are less litiginous because of limited education, resources, etc.”

I’ve never seen any stats on who is or is not more likely to be litigious. That would be an interesting study.

“In my group over the years there has been a couple of lawsuits where the doctor treated a nurse or other hospital worker “as a favor”.”

If you do something as a favor, is the recipient agreeing to substandard care?

Read Anon 7:55’s comment, where malpractice came into.