http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/09/ear-wax.html Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87231 Anonymous Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:35:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87231 It is really sad when MDs are now fighting for the ear wax procedure. Thanks MNB. It is really sad when MDs are now fighting for the ear wax procedure. Thanks MNB.

]]> http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87214 #1 Dinosaur Sat, 06 Sep 2008 00:38:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87214 Did you see <a HREF="http://dinosaurmusings.blogspot.com/2008/09/guidelines-gone-wild.html" REL="nofollow">my take</a> on this subject? Did you see my take on this subject?

]]> http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87213 Anonymous Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:18:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87213 I'm an ENT, and I can tell you the most gratified patients are those for whom you've suddenly restored their hearing by removing a stubborn impaction. How many "TA DA!" moments do we get in medicine? I’m an ENT, and I can tell you the most gratified patients are those for whom you’ve suddenly restored their hearing by removing a stubborn impaction. How many “TA DA!” moments do we get in medicine?

]]> http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87212 Dr. Matthew Mintz Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:03:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/kevinmd/2008/09/ear-wax.html#comment-87212 Funny post as usual from placebo journal. The reality is that the pervese reimbursement system we have would suggest that for primary care to survive, we should remove ear wax on every patient that we see. The RVU (relative value unit) for ear wax removal is 1.26 which is not far from the RVU for a level 3 (uncomplicated) visit (CPT code 99213). Medicare pays rought $68 for an uncomplicated physician visit but would payabout $51 for ear wax removal. The uncomplicated visit which is supposed to occur in 15 minutes (normally takes longer) would generate about $270/hr. In that time we could do at least 10 ear wax removals (that's being very conservative) generating over $500/hr. This is a perfect example of how ridiculous our reimbursement system acutually is. Funny post as usual from placebo journal. The reality is that the pervese reimbursement system we have would suggest that for primary care to survive, we should remove ear wax on every patient that we see. The RVU (relative value unit) for ear wax removal is 1.26 which is not far from the RVU for a level 3 (uncomplicated) visit (CPT code 99213). Medicare pays rought $68 for an uncomplicated physician visit but would payabout $51 for ear wax removal. The uncomplicated visit which is supposed to occur in 15 minutes (normally takes longer) would generate about $270/hr. In that time we could do at least 10 ear wax removals (that’s being very conservative) generating over $500/hr. This is a perfect example of how ridiculous our reimbursement system acutually is.

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