Saturday, February 13, 2010

Patients face bitter choice: Pay up or lose care

Image: Dr. Susan Debin

Premium-pay medical practices grow as doctors seek more control, cash

Excerpt:

“The Goodriches’ dilemma is becoming more common as a growing number of doctors enact their own brand of health reform. These physicians are opting out of the system, with some doctors dumping insurance companies altogether and others forcing patients to pay thousands of dollars in cash to keep the care they’re accustomed to.”

Go here to read the whole story.

(ABOVE) Dr. Susan Debin, 64, of Orange, Calif., turned to a hybrid concierge practice two years ago. About 125 patients pay $1,600 a year for extra services including an extended physical and her personal cell phone number. But what about the rest of her patients?

Photo by Carissa Ray / msnbc.com

2 comments:

Tom Sebourn said...

$133.00 a month isn't that bad for access to a good doctor. If you can get your prescriptions in Mexico, you might have a poor mans health program.
Of course anything catastrophic would force tax payers holding the bag as hostitals might have to take someone with little or no means to pay any more.

Tom Sebourn said...

hostitals? I meant hospitals.

It's Time to Pay Up Donnie!

It's looks like there will be some prime real estate going on the market soon in New York City. Convicted rapist and former president ...