[blueice]

I wish more doctors would do this....Starts to take the insurance companies out of low cost medical care...

Good for both the clinics and their customers...



http://www.surgerycenterok.com/pricing.php

[blueice]

Doc's cash-only billing bucks the insurance morass | StarTribune.com

Doc's cash-only billing bucks the insurance morass

[IMG]http://stmedia.startribune.com/images/502*320/8cashonly0131.jpg[/IMG] Brian Peterson, Star Tribune

Dr. James Eelkema, a longtime ER doc, has setup a cash-only family practice in Burnsville, posting prices online. One problem:$36. Two problems $54. He's out-MinuteClinic'ing MinuteClinic.

A Burnsville family physician totes a black bag on his house calls.
By CHEN MAY YEE, Star Tribune

Meet Dr. James Eelkema, a family doctor who got so tired of the paperwork he cut loose and started a cash-only practice.

Eelkema, who has been treating patients for 30 years, quit a large family medicine clinic last summer and set up his own shop, TimeWise Medical, in Burnsville. He does the blood draws. He does the urine analysis. He even make house calls.

Got one ailment? That's $36. Got two? $54.

Three problems? "Why don't you schedule a physical?" his website cheekily asks.

Eelkema is one doctor swimming against the tide. The number of solo family practitioners has fallen precipitously in the past two decades as medical care has grown more complex -- along with the billing. But he's also a potent symbol of the times: Doctors spend more of their day complying with insurance rules, which are usually well-meaning but take time away from patient care.

"What Eelkema is saying is, 'I'm opting out of all the over-regulation and lack of support for primary care,'" said Dr. Patricia Fontaine, president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians.

Still, it takes a very determined doctor to cut out insurers altogether. In Minnesota, just a handful of physicians have taken this route, most of them psychiatrists.

"Many people will fantasize about it, many people share these frustrations," Fontaine said. "However, solo practices face many obstacles to their survival ... not many physicians are likely to follow his lead."

Closer to patients

James Eelkema looks more traditionalist than maverick. He wears a white coat and carries a black doctor's bag on house calls.

He recently drove out to see Bob and Joyce Silas at a senior complex in Brooklyn Park. Joyce, 83, is a cancer survivor with chronic pain in her back and legs. Bob, 85, is legally blind. One of their caregivers recommended Eelkema, who now sees them once a month, charging $200 per visit.

Click link for page two.

[TGF]

Quote:       Originally Posted by blueice

I wish more doctors would do this....Starts to take the insurance companies out of low cost medical care... Good for both the clinics and their customers... Surgery Center of Oklahoma

They already are, we paid for my wifes foot surgery with cash, got it for about 1/3 the cost they told us.

[killsnapz]

I just payed for surgery to remove a groth from my sinus. The doctor set up the whole thing with the hospital for me. I payed the doctor $800 and the hospital $1200. The anethesioligist quoted me a price of $500 but still has not billed me two month later? If all minor non life threating surgery was this affordable we definetely would not need insurance in most cases. When my doctor first called the hospital wanted $3000 for the operating room and the anethesiolist wanted $2000. Thanks for posting that blueice. It is a very interesting article.

Michael

[Ten Man]

Bravo for this doc!

This is only the leading edge.

Wait until the full ramifications of this bill go into effect.

My practice was cash only the last 2 years before I retired. It felt good to tell the insurance companies to go away and leave me alone.

[blueice]

Quote:       Originally Posted by TargetGunFan

They already are, we paid for my wifes foot surgery with cash, got it for about 1/3 the cost they told us.

Very good, indeed, TGF...This is one way to take inflation out of the medical industry!!

Quote:       Originally Posted by killsnapz

I just payed for surgery to remove a groth from my sinus. The doctor set up the whole thing with the hospital for me. I payed the doctor $800 and the hospital $1200. The anethesioligist quoted me a price of $500 but still has not billed me two month later? If all minor non life threating surgery was this affordable we definetely would not need insurance in most cases. When my doctor first called the hospital wanted $3000 for the operating room and the anethesiolist wanted $2000. Thanks for posting that blueice. It is a very interesting article. Michael

You are most welcome, Killsnapz! I must say you are a medical pioneer...After my operation, I plan to move to Dr Edlkema, if he will have me...

Quote:       Originally Posted by Ten Man

Bravo for this doc! This is only the leading edge. Wait until the full ramifications of this bill go into effect. My practice was cash only the last 2 years before I retired. It felt good to tell the insurance companies to go away and leave me alone.

Hear after, you shall be known as Dr Ten Man! Doctor, did your clinic carry on this this means of payment?

I hope we see more Cash & Carry from medical clinics!! I hope it is a growth industry!!

I have been suggesting to several of my clinics, as an additional options for their patients and them...

[Deersniper]

There is a Christian network starting up that with a $500 donation, it goes to a pool that pays for peoples health care and is run by doctors and accountants. I'll try to find the name of it. With this Hell care bill that just passed, there maybe more of these springing up.

[blueice]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Deersniper

There is a Christian network starting up that with a $500 donation, it goes to a pool that pays for peoples health care and is run by doctors and accountants. I'll try to find the name of it. With this Hell care bill that just passed, there maybe more of these springing up.

Most excellent, Your Deersniper! The only doctors that can afford to quit are those near retirement, as the youngsters are tens of thousands in debt and hence must toil...

Maybe this is one "good" effect of CommieCare....?

[killsnapz]

I would like to think so blueice. Sometimes when it looks like things are going bad a return to the old ways is in order. When something does not work anymore the sensable thing to do is get rid of it. I do'nt think to many people could argue the fact that our current heathcare system no longer works. I am glad to see some have taken it upon themselves to make things better like these doctors have. My hats off to them.

Michael

[blueice]

Timewise Medical : Office Charges

This is what is needed in doctor's offices, a simply menu of services and their prices...

IMHO, this is medical reform in its simplest form.

[blueice]

I will be checking in with my insurance company and seeing if this program will provide lower fees.

I am on a high deductible plan, so it behoove not to do so..

I will report back and let the broad know if it helped to save any money...

[surgicaltech]

Kind of interesting to say the least. Those guys, providing they get enough patients, are making a killing. One example I know for a fact, at my hospital at least, is the Dr's only getting paid around $900 for a lap chole. (laproscopic removal of the gall bladder) Kind of a bad deal concidering the hospital charges thousands for this procedure.

[grizcty]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Deersniper

There is a Christian network starting up that with a $500 donation, it goes to a pool that pays for peoples health care and is run by doctors and accountants. I'll try to find the name of it. With this Hell care bill that just passed, there maybe more of these springing up.

I heard this mentioned on TBN.

I prefer cash deals.