Medical practices that accept insurance require billing specialists, medical coders, appeals specialists, and insurance representatives. The cost associated with hiring these persons make private practice, especially a micro-practice, impossible to survive once the insurance re-imbursement check clears.

So, why not be employed at a large medical office or hospital system?

I learned A LOT during my time, at my first job, as an employed physician at a large orthopedic practice. As time passed and my knowledge and experience expanded so did my desire to expand the services and care I provided. Good intentions are bottle-necked by cost of doing business. In order to make-up for yearly decreasing reimbursements from CMS and insurance companies, the solution by large practices is often to increase the amount of people seen. This then translates to less time with the physician (hello, 10minutes with the doc if you’re lucky!).

My prices are comparable to cash prices at other facilities…BUT with guaranteed extended face-to-face time with the physician. So in reality, you are getting MORE for your money.

Also, when it came to treatment, many people are left to wonder what will insurance cover? Sadly, this is less and less each year. A disheartening reality is that even “prior authorization” does not guarantee payment, leaving the patient with large medical bills.

IN SUMMARY

Cash pricing (no insurance middleperson)…
=adequate time with physician (patient has time to be heard)
=physician and patient autonomy to form best individualized treatment
=improved satisfaction of patient