Comments on: The walk-in clinic boom is betting big on the uninsured http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Brookehttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-85138 Brooke Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:18:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-85138 Why not? Clinics are meant to be convenient and help the customer as well as the company. The drug stores are getting into the walk-in clinic business. By operating a clinic out of a drug store, like Walgreens and CVS, you will be able to get the treatment you need and the medication as well. These clinics are operated by Take Care Health Clinic. <br/><br/>http://www.WalgreensClinic.org Why not? Clinics are meant to be convenient and help the customer as well as the company. The drug stores are getting into the walk-in clinic business. By operating a clinic out of a drug store, like Walgreens and CVS, you will be able to get the treatment you need and the medication as well. These clinics are operated by Take Care Health Clinic.

http://www.WalgreensClinic.org

]]> By: Joshhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65570 Josh Sat, 29 Jul 2006 04:31:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65570 Yeah, by the time you add in labs, blood draw, radiology etc $20 can grow quickly. Plus, if my plan works i'll already be making nearly 50% more than the avg FP.<br/><br/>Wanna hear something crazy. . .the internal med program at my med school has a residents clinic for the underserved. . .but charges $350/visit. . .and they call me crazy?!? Yeah, by the time you add in labs, blood draw, radiology etc $20 can grow quickly. Plus, if my plan works i’ll already be making nearly 50% more than the avg FP.

Wanna hear something crazy. . .the internal med program at my med school has a residents clinic for the underserved. . .but charges $350/visit. . .and they call me crazy?!?

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65569 Anonymous Sat, 29 Jul 2006 03:53:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65569 "I think $70 is fair. . ." Personally, I'm such a tigh-ass, I wouldn't pay $70 for anything short of stitches. If we want to encourage preventative care, we have to recognize how cost changes pts willingness to visit the dr. More importantly, you have to realize that the major critisim (unfounded) of cash based practices is that they're "for the rich".<br/><br/>You have a point, I didn't go for preventative care - I was already sick and so $70 with no extra cost for prescription RX seemed like a good deal, but would I have spent it on preventative care with my income at that time- probably not. I would love to talk to people who believe cash based practices are for the rich, because at the time I used this walk-in clinic I was working retail and making barely enough to survive. Taking a look around the waiting room I could tell that the people there were in a similar situation to my own - far from rich. Not saying this as a sob story but just to point out that people can in many cases find the money to pay for things they value. If I had had a chronic illness, though, the situation would have been very different. I would not have been able to continue to pay that $70 fee on a regular basis. “I think $70 is fair. . .” Personally, I’m such a tigh-ass, I wouldn’t pay $70 for anything short of stitches. If we want to encourage preventative care, we have to recognize how cost changes pts willingness to visit the dr. More importantly, you have to realize that the major critisim (unfounded) of cash based practices is that they’re “for the rich”.

You have a point, I didn’t go for preventative care – I was already sick and so $70 with no extra cost for prescription RX seemed like a good deal, but would I have spent it on preventative care with my income at that time- probably not. I would love to talk to people who believe cash based practices are for the rich, because at the time I used this walk-in clinic I was working retail and making barely enough to survive. Taking a look around the waiting room I could tell that the people there were in a similar situation to my own – far from rich. Not saying this as a sob story but just to point out that people can in many cases find the money to pay for things they value. If I had had a chronic illness, though, the situation would have been very different. I would not have been able to continue to pay that $70 fee on a regular basis.

]]> By: Joshhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65565 Josh Fri, 28 Jul 2006 23:25:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65565 "the only way it would work is if you demanded cash upfront" -- Yep. Just like any other business, talk about pay for performance. Cash/Check/Credit Of course, depending on your pt population, you maybe able to set up automatic withdrawal from CC or bank accounts to speed up the process. But for those who say its too harsh to turn people away if they can't pay (and its not) I still plan on giving away some free care to those "I" deem worthy. Sidebar: docs who accept medicare/caid can't give out free care b/c its considered fraud. . .go figure.<br/><br/>"I think $70 is fair. . ." Personally, I'm such a tigh-ass, I wouldn't pay $70 for anything short of stitches. If we want to encourage preventative care, we have to recognize how cost changes pts willingness to visit the dr. More importantly, you have to realize that the major critisim (unfounded) of cash based practices is that they're "for the rich". For the trend to really take hold, it will have to prove itself as a win:win:win for pts:drs:ins co.'s “the only way it would work is if you demanded cash upfront” — Yep. Just like any other business, talk about pay for performance. Cash/Check/Credit Of course, depending on your pt population, you maybe able to set up automatic withdrawal from CC or bank accounts to speed up the process. But for those who say its too harsh to turn people away if they can’t pay (and its not) I still plan on giving away some free care to those “I” deem worthy. Sidebar: docs who accept medicare/caid can’t give out free care b/c its considered fraud. . .go figure.

“I think $70 is fair. . .” Personally, I’m such a tigh-ass, I wouldn’t pay $70 for anything short of stitches. If we want to encourage preventative care, we have to recognize how cost changes pts willingness to visit the dr. More importantly, you have to realize that the major critisim (unfounded) of cash based practices is that they’re “for the rich”. For the trend to really take hold, it will have to prove itself as a win:win:win for pts:drs:ins co.’s

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65556 Anonymous Fri, 28 Jul 2006 21:33:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65556 Oops, I meant to say I didn't feel $70 for a general office visit was unfair - I thought I got a pretty good deal. Oops, I meant to say I didn’t feel $70 for a general office visit was unfair – I thought I got a pretty good deal.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65555 Anonymous Fri, 28 Jul 2006 21:32:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65555 Josh, I would also say charge more. I went without insurance for a while (thankfully those days are over) and went to a walk-in clinic where I paid $70 cash (I was given lots of samples so I didn't have to fill a prescription). I think most people, even those without insurance, could cough up more than $20. I didn't feel $70 for a general office visit. Josh, I would also say charge more. I went without insurance for a while (thankfully those days are over) and went to a walk-in clinic where I paid $70 cash (I was given lots of samples so I didn’t have to fill a prescription). I think most people, even those without insurance, could cough up more than $20. I didn’t feel $70 for a general office visit.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65553 Anonymous Fri, 28 Jul 2006 20:42:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65553 What is to rebut? It probably would work. But the only way it would work is to demand cash up front with no exceptions. No four-pocket checkout shuffle, No Medicare or Medicaid cards, no insurance cards or anything that defers payment or leaves to persons not present the payment to the provider. Those who can't/won't pay can take a hike. What is to rebut? It probably would work. But the only way it would work is to demand cash up front with no exceptions. No four-pocket checkout shuffle, No Medicare or Medicaid cards, no insurance cards or anything that defers payment or leaves to persons not present the payment to the provider. Those who can’t/won’t pay can take a hike.

]]> By: Joshhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65546 Josh Fri, 28 Jul 2006 18:37:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65546 Oh Dr. Steve, thanks for writing, you're just the kind of doctor I love talking to. <br/><br/>I agree $20 is too cheap and I definitely agree I deserve $50, but (and its a big but), that's the brilliance of any business. Competitive pricing is what will make pts be willing to pay cash and what will attract ins companies. If they'll wave the co-pay for the nurse clinics at $60, they'll love me. Yes, I'll be cash only and the pt can work it out w/ their ins company (or even better, have an HSA)<br/><br/>In all actuality, $20 isn't too little b/c at $20/15 minutes x 50 hr/wk x 50 wk/yr I'll avg 200K which is 60k > than the avg FP (ROUGH ESTIMATES). Now for the "oh you can work that much" or "you're overhead will be huge" arguments. I've heard them and I can explain them away w/ good business sense. I won't go into it all here (that's what my blog is for) but by reducing staff & maximizing technology I plan to have 50k in expenses and 50K in additional revenue (lab tests, email visits, group visits).<br/><br/>It'll work, just watch. Once someone decides to run Primary Care like a business (a win:win for all), then I forsee see FP rising to one of the top sought-after residencies. <br/><br/>now for the rebuttal. . . . Oh Dr. Steve, thanks for writing, you’re just the kind of doctor I love talking to.

I agree $20 is too cheap and I definitely agree I deserve $50, but (and its a big but), that’s the brilliance of any business. Competitive pricing is what will make pts be willing to pay cash and what will attract ins companies. If they’ll wave the co-pay for the nurse clinics at $60, they’ll love me. Yes, I’ll be cash only and the pt can work it out w/ their ins company (or even better, have an HSA)

In all actuality, $20 isn’t too little b/c at $20/15 minutes x 50 hr/wk x 50 wk/yr I’ll avg 200K which is 60k > than the avg FP (ROUGH ESTIMATES). Now for the “oh you can work that much” or “you’re overhead will be huge” arguments. I’ve heard them and I can explain them away w/ good business sense. I won’t go into it all here (that’s what my blog is for) but by reducing staff & maximizing technology I plan to have 50k in expenses and 50K in additional revenue (lab tests, email visits, group visits).

It’ll work, just watch. Once someone decides to run Primary Care like a business (a win:win for all), then I forsee see FP rising to one of the top sought-after residencies.

now for the rebuttal. . . .

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65545 Anonymous Fri, 28 Jul 2006 18:36:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65545 It is neither a threat nor a significant concern for quality. Walk-in clinics have their own concerns regarding liability and practice limits. The last thing they will want is to have hostile relations with the community providers. If I were an internist, I would stop by when the nurse was on duty, leave some of my cards and offer to help where I could. I would want them around, because they are a source of referral, which is something primary care physicians should be cultivating. (They also should be cultivating referral from specialists; believe it or not that kind of referral works too.)<br/><br/>This is a good thing, not a bad thing. It is neither a threat nor a significant concern for quality. Walk-in clinics have their own concerns regarding liability and practice limits. The last thing they will want is to have hostile relations with the community providers. If I were an internist, I would stop by when the nurse was on duty, leave some of my cards and offer to help where I could. I would want them around, because they are a source of referral, which is something primary care physicians should be cultivating. (They also should be cultivating referral from specialists; believe it or not that kind of referral works too.)

This is a good thing, not a bad thing.

]]> By: Dr. Stevehttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/07/walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on.html#comment-65542 Dr. Steve Fri, 28 Jul 2006 15:55:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/07/the-walk-in-clinic-boom-is-betting-big-on-the-uninsured.html#comment-65542 Josh - $20 is far too little. You can and should get $50. Seriously co-pays for insured people are often over $20.<br/><br/>And I assume you will not be taking insurance since you flat fee would then be considered "two-cycle billing" and thus fraud unless you were to accept the same fee from insured patients (when the insurer is offering you a lot more).<br/><br/>My advice: avoid primary care like the plague - if I had I might still be practicing. Josh – $20 is far too little. You can and should get $50. Seriously co-pays for insured people are often over $20.

And I assume you will not be taking insurance since you flat fee would then be considered “two-cycle billing” and thus fraud unless you were to accept the same fee from insured patients (when the insurer is offering you a lot more).

My advice: avoid primary care like the plague – if I had I might still be practicing.

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