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Aug 18, 2008 -- Doctors roll out red carpet for cash customers
Doctors are being squeezed between what they're paid from insurers and what they're paid from Medicare/Medicaid. The reality is that doctors often make no money or even lose money when they see you. So they're shifting their practices to reflect the free market.
For example, take the field of dermatology. If you have a suspicious mole, you may wait months for an appointment if you're an insurance customer. But if you're willing to pay cash for cosmetic dermatology, you can usually be seen in 24-48 hours.
The New York Times reports that dermatologists and laser-eye surgeons are even building separate waiting rooms for cash customers. They're rolling out the red carpet with fancy furniture, free lattes and more. Contrast that with the ratty furniture and long-expired magazines that fill traditional waiting rooms for insured customers.
The doctors are not bad guys; they're simply business people. You can't blame them for wanting to put food on the table. It's the current health insurance system that deserves your ire.
Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.
I am a chiropractor in ohio. I have started offering services in the past year that insurance doesn't cover because the reimbursement level is lower than what it costs me to see some patients. I see from Clark I'm not the only one who is having to do these type of things to keep the business going. Some reimbursements are ridiculously low. Our biggest insurance carrier routinely takes a 60% discount, which makes it difficult to come out ahead seeing those patients. I also agree with Clark that the insurance system needs a big cjange ,so doctors don't lose money for being in-network. (perhaps we should elimenate networks?)
Cash for Doctors
You are right. My son/daughter needed to see a psychologist. The appointment clerk thinking she had insurance gave them a date two months. When told there was not insurance then the appointment was suddenly within two weeks because no insurance to deal with!
And the scam goes on...
I recently had a colonoscopy. Eight years ago it "cost" $850 (the amount billed to my employer's insurance carrier). Now I'm self-employed and have a HSA with a $10K deductible policy as backup. The GI clinic initially told me their fee was $2400 for a colonoscopy. When I mentioned I had a high-deductible HSA plan and it likely wouldn't pay anything, they immediately dropped the price to $1500. Then I mentioned paying with a check and they said cash customers who pay in full get a discounted rate of $900!
Is this system ridiculous or what? Depending on the insurance carrier, the clinic's "price" for the same proceedure ranges from $900 to $2400. I honestly can't believe this is legal. What other business could get away with that kind of predatory pricing?
Insurance is a Fraud
I like the idea of paying cash, it works for most stuff, if we just paid ourselves the monthly fee we pay to the insurance we probably wouldn't have to worry about the big emergency what ifs. Besides there are so many help programs for those without insurance and paying cash. And what is with the doctors offices, I'm always getting a bill after a visit, I'm tired of arguing with the receptionist "are you sure that's it, I'm not gonna get a bill right?" and then I do! I swear insurance just creates greedy doctors, try reading what they actually bill the insurance for. I've caught multiple doctors charging things that never happened in my visit. Since it's all in codes they don't ever expect us to know or care.
BUT....
This will then allow anyone who is rich to just get in, while the rest of us riff raff with insurance will never get in.
I agree with Becky C and if I am going to be paying cash up front, then I want a fair price. My insurance is billed $400 for 3 min to see the ENT. I would easily pay $25-$50 but not $350 and up for the inflated insurance price. Now that I think about it, I payed the $20 co-pay, then my insurance was billed $400, then my insurance said that the price exceeded their alloted amount for the service, and billed me the reminder of the balance of $40. so when it was all said and done, I paid $60. Not to mention the $300 our family plan costs per month that I already paid. What is wrong with this picture???
Cash for Docs
While I'm fully covered on insurance, I've always thought it ridiculous that doctors often wouldn't tay cash pay customers! Now, in addition to paying cash, they need to consider their cash pay rates - and lower them to a FAIR price (not just 10% off)
