Comments on: Classic post: More people are using walk-in clinics for primary care http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:59:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-73136 Anonymous Thu, 22 Mar 2007 23:31:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-73136 All I have read is how unhappy or unsatisfied somebody, (pt, staff, and MD), is at md office. I work for one and let me tell you I already know no one is ever going to be pleased. My doc is internal med and the only one in town. He can just make it with the overhead and drives a simple car. Pts are important to us and ofcourse to him but is the doc important to the pts? If someone can find the answer to scheduling hey post it and I promise I will start using it in our practice. I have heard patience is a virtue. Health is alot more vital than time or money. When health runs out is anything going to matter then. All I have read is how unhappy or unsatisfied somebody, (pt, staff, and MD), is at md office. I work for one and let me tell you I already know no one is ever going to be pleased. My doc is internal med and the only one in town. He can just make it with the overhead and drives a simple car. Pts are important to us and ofcourse to him but is the doc important to the pts? If someone can find the answer to scheduling hey post it and I promise I will start using it in our practice. I have heard patience is a virtue. Health is alot more vital than time or money. When health runs out is anything going to matter then.

]]> By: sailormanhttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66527 sailorman Fri, 25 Aug 2006 20:35:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66527 Well, if I go to a doctor's office and wait for an unexpected hour, that's one less hour that I bill.<br/><br/>I'm a highly paid professional. From a national economic standpoint, I think you'd have a VERY VERY hard time arguing (wthout laughing) that my time is best spent in a waiting room.<br/><br/>Would I pay an extra $10/appointment? Sure! Multiple $10 by each appointment, and that's easily enough to cover extra for a functional secretary who can call people through the day and let them know when the doc is running late. Well, if I go to a doctor’s office and wait for an unexpected hour, that’s one less hour that I bill.

I’m a highly paid professional. From a national economic standpoint, I think you’d have a VERY VERY hard time arguing (wthout laughing) that my time is best spent in a waiting room.

Would I pay an extra $10/appointment? Sure! Multiple $10 by each appointment, and that’s easily enough to cover extra for a functional secretary who can call people through the day and let them know when the doc is running late.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66439 Anonymous Wed, 23 Aug 2006 04:29:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66439 The insurance company probably has the doctor by the balls and the agreement (or allowable) is that he gets 125-150 dollars. 10%-20% of that is spent on malpractice premium. Another 50%+ is spent on office overhead. How much does it cost to get a consultation for a plumber or electrician. Not much less. The insurance company probably has the doctor by the balls and the agreement (or allowable) is that he gets 125-150 dollars. 10%-20% of that is spent on malpractice premium. Another 50%+ is spent on office overhead. How much does it cost to get a consultation for a plumber or electrician. Not much less.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66428 Anonymous Tue, 22 Aug 2006 23:30:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66428 Sorry anon you don't know how payment works today in medicine. No insurance company would tolerate 450.00 for an office visit. That's the truth. Or the above anon's calcuations would be correct and most GI docs make 1/10 (or less)that amount. Why don't you break out the bill and reread it. <br/>PS: You never mentioned how much you payed. Your typical american answer of "I have insurance" betrays one of the real problems in american medicine. Most americans have no clue (and I mean no clue) how expensive medicine/tests are. Yet they always want the best, newest test right now. Why not, they only pay a fraction of the real price. This system will not continue. In 10 years we will have socialized healthcare and associated rationing. Then you will be really waiting. Just think of your local post office. Sorry anon you don’t know how payment works today in medicine. No insurance company would tolerate 450.00 for an office visit. That’s the truth. Or the above anon’s calcuations would be correct and most GI docs make 1/10 (or less)that amount. Why don’t you break out the bill and reread it.
PS: You never mentioned how much you payed. Your typical american answer of “I have insurance” betrays one of the real problems in american medicine. Most americans have no clue (and I mean no clue) how expensive medicine/tests are. Yet they always want the best, newest test right now. Why not, they only pay a fraction of the real price. This system will not continue. In 10 years we will have socialized healthcare and associated rationing. Then you will be really waiting. Just think of your local post office.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66388 Anonymous Tue, 22 Aug 2006 04:04:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66388 Right, you would of course conclude I'm a liar rather than take my word that I was charged an exorbitant amount for a brief office visit. I'm not lying; it happened during February of this year. <br/><br/>This doctor did not have to review any previous tests prior to or otherwise in connection with that appointment. She simply talked to me for a few minutes about my very few symptoms, poked on my stomach, and routinely ordered the colonoscopy based on my age, since colonoscopies are now a rite of passage for anyone over 50. Then she recited (and I do mean recited) the risks associated with the procedure. Fifteen minutes. Ok, MAYBE (so sorry for the caps) 20 minutes max. The charge was $450; there was no discount, but yes, insurance did pay however much was allowable. (I can't tell you the amount insurance allotted for this office visit and for the actual procedure; I only know how much I had to pay out of pocket total.) <br/><br/>What difference does it make how much I had to pay out of pocket anyway? I am lucky enough to have insurance. It was still an exorbitant charge for an appointment which could have been called in. Insurance paid, so everyone paid. <br/><br/>Ok, come on, anything else? Anyone want to address the reason doctors schedule several patients for the same time, allow them to wait in the waiting room, and then stack them up in rooms like planes on a runway? Convince me it's not because they don't want to risk having some downtime without a patient waiting (for some undetermined period of time) next in line to see them. Right, you would of course conclude I’m a liar rather than take my word that I was charged an exorbitant amount for a brief office visit. I’m not lying; it happened during February of this year.

This doctor did not have to review any previous tests prior to or otherwise in connection with that appointment. She simply talked to me for a few minutes about my very few symptoms, poked on my stomach, and routinely ordered the colonoscopy based on my age, since colonoscopies are now a rite of passage for anyone over 50. Then she recited (and I do mean recited) the risks associated with the procedure. Fifteen minutes. Ok, MAYBE (so sorry for the caps) 20 minutes max. The charge was $450; there was no discount, but yes, insurance did pay however much was allowable. (I can’t tell you the amount insurance allotted for this office visit and for the actual procedure; I only know how much I had to pay out of pocket total.)

What difference does it make how much I had to pay out of pocket anyway? I am lucky enough to have insurance. It was still an exorbitant charge for an appointment which could have been called in. Insurance paid, so everyone paid.

Ok, come on, anything else? Anyone want to address the reason doctors schedule several patients for the same time, allow them to wait in the waiting room, and then stack them up in rooms like planes on a runway? Convince me it’s not because they don’t want to risk having some downtime without a patient waiting (for some undetermined period of time) next in line to see them.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66384 Anonymous Tue, 22 Aug 2006 01:52:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66384 Shall we do a little math for this joker so he realizes how stupid he sounds:<br/><br/>450.00 for 15 minutes for the GI doc<br/><br/>1800.00/hour (X 4pts/hr) for the GI doc<br/><br/>14,400/day (X 8 hrs/day ha ha)<br/><br/>72,000/week (assume 40 hour work week ha ha) <br/><br/>3,456,000.00/year (assuming a one month vacation).<br/><br/>Anybody know a Gi doc just seeing clinic patients making that kind of money? I don't.<br/><br/>Conclusion: You are a liar. Shall we do a little math for this joker so he realizes how stupid he sounds:

450.00 for 15 minutes for the GI doc

1800.00/hour (X 4pts/hr) for the GI doc

14,400/day (X 8 hrs/day ha ha)

72,000/week (assume 40 hour work week ha ha)

3,456,000.00/year (assuming a one month vacation).

Anybody know a Gi doc just seeing clinic patients making that kind of money? I don’t.

Conclusion: You are a liar.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66383 Anonymous Tue, 22 Aug 2006 01:21:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66383 Better yet, by how much was that $450.00 "charge" reduced by the insurer's contract with that doctor?<br/><br/>A $450.00 value, yours for only $59.95, that's right . . . .<br/><br/>So much for an "approximation", whatever that is.<br/><br/>"Lofty perch", what a hoot. You'd think she went to an aviary. Better yet, by how much was that $450.00 “charge” reduced by the insurer’s contract with that doctor?

A $450.00 value, yours for only $59.95, that’s right . . . .

So much for an “approximation”, whatever that is.

“Lofty perch”, what a hoot. You’d think she went to an aviary.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66378 Anonymous Mon, 21 Aug 2006 22:43:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66378 " My last trip to that hallowed ground resulted in a $450 charge...."<br/><br/>Come now be honest anon how much of that 450.00 came out of YOUR POCKET.<br/><br/>Be honest now. ” My last trip to that hallowed ground resulted in a $450 charge….”

Come now be honest anon how much of that 450.00 came out of YOUR POCKET.

Be honest now.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66375 Anonymous Mon, 21 Aug 2006 22:20:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66375 "Anonymous said..."<br/><br/> "'Obviously, your time is far more valuable than mine; as you have so stated, to be allowed your extremely valuable time at a pre-arranged slot will cost me far more than if I have to wait until your schedule REALLY allows.'"<br/><br/> "Apparently so. You seem to have lots of time for your gassy and plaintive posts, caps and all." <br/><br/>.................................<br/><br/>I didn't submit the other well-stated post from Anonymous about having to wait for our doctor's approximations. ("You know, part of the problem is that you are so incredibly arrogant that you really believe you are the only people in the world who have jobs that matter.") Believe it or not, that was from another person who has also spent significant stretches of time awaiting his/her turn for the (drumroll, please) doctor. <br/><br/>I may very well be gassy, but I won't be going to the gastroenterologist for relief. My last trip to that hallowed ground resulted in a $450 charge for a 15-minute "approximation," during which she said I needed to have a colonoscopy and rattled off a memorized speech about its potential problems. It had all of the heartfelt rendering as that from a stewardess who is reciting, "In the event of a crash..etc. etc." <br/><br/>You just can't accept criticism from atop your lofty perch. <br/><br/> --- Anonymous 1. “Anonymous said…”

“‘Obviously, your time is far more valuable than mine; as you have so stated, to be allowed your extremely valuable time at a pre-arranged slot will cost me far more than if I have to wait until your schedule REALLY allows.’”

“Apparently so. You seem to have lots of time for your gassy and plaintive posts, caps and all.”

……………………………

I didn’t submit the other well-stated post from Anonymous about having to wait for our doctor’s approximations. (“You know, part of the problem is that you are so incredibly arrogant that you really believe you are the only people in the world who have jobs that matter.”) Believe it or not, that was from another person who has also spent significant stretches of time awaiting his/her turn for the (drumroll, please) doctor.

I may very well be gassy, but I won’t be going to the gastroenterologist for relief. My last trip to that hallowed ground resulted in a $450 charge for a 15-minute “approximation,” during which she said I needed to have a colonoscopy and rattled off a memorized speech about its potential problems. It had all of the heartfelt rendering as that from a stewardess who is reciting, “In the event of a crash..etc. etc.”

You just can’t accept criticism from atop your lofty perch.

— Anonymous 1.

]]> By: Anonymoushttp://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using.html#comment-66362 Anonymous Mon, 21 Aug 2006 17:17:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2006/08/classic-post-more-people-are-using-walk-in-clinics-for-primary-care.html#comment-66362 ""Obviously, your time is far more valuable than mine; as you have so stated, to be allowed your extremely valuable time at a pre-arranged slot will cost me far more than if I have to wait until your schedule REALLY allows. "<br/><br/>Apparently so. You seem to have lots of time for your gassy and plaintive posts, caps and all. “”Obviously, your time is far more valuable than mine; as you have so stated, to be allowed your extremely valuable time at a pre-arranged slot will cost me far more than if I have to wait until your schedule REALLY allows. “

Apparently so. You seem to have lots of time for your gassy and plaintive posts, caps and all.

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