Dear Husband received a mailer about two weeks ago from his doctor. The doctor was requesting that his patients attend a meeting about a new form of health care. We didn't have a clue what was coming, but we signed up to attend the two hour meeting.
Dear Husband came home early to change and we drove to one of the local hotels, and found places at the back of the auditorium. DH's doctor, and another doctor got up to speak. Each of them talked about their schooling, their families, their personal interests, and their hopes for the future. And then they told us about a management association called MDVIP that they are going to join.
Two startling facts came out. Each of the doctors will have a maximum of 600 patients in the future. And each of those patients will have to pay $1500 ANNUALLY for the privilege of being one of those 600. Ostensibly, that $1500 is for an annual physical. The physical is fairly extensive, and the purpose is to give the doctors information to help the patient create a life plan to prevent disease. Any other office visits would be covered by the patient's personal health insurance.
Dear Husband has a deductible on his health insurance of $1,000. So, he will start the year owing $2500 for health care and maintenance, plus 20% of any additional charges.
The doctors painted a glowing picture of the additional time they would be able to take with each patient. No more 15 minute visits with sick people. Instead, they would be able to spend as much as an hour, or more, with people who want to take control of their lives and stay healthy!
The doctors could look forward to fewer late night calls from the emergency room, and fewer hours doing rounds at the hospital, because their patients would be healthy! And, because these two doctors had decided to go into this form of management together, each of them could look forward to a three week vacation each year, and a week for professional improvement, as they cover for each other.
They painted a glowing picture of the triangle of MDVIP, the hospital, and themselves. Unfortunately, I didn't hear anything about the patient in this presentation.
The doctors talked about obscene malpractice costs. They talked about having 2200 to 2400 patients depending upon each of them, and how much they would miss those of us who chose not to sign up. They studiously avoided talking about the 1800 people they were setting loose on the other doctors in this area, those 1800 who are ill and can't afford the additional cost, or who don't sign up in time to be one of the 600.
At one point, I thought, "Yeah....this might be a good thing, especially if you have an ongoing problem and want the old-fashioned kind of doctoring, where you were given information and advice and kept abreast of current research." And I can understand that these men want to have a life.
But, when I step back and look at it, it just feels greedy to me. It's one more LARGE fee to get the kind of care we should already be getting.
Our health care system is broken, and someone needs to take responsibility to fix it. I don't think we will be continuing with this doctor. Would you?
Comments (10)
no iwouldnt. its disgraceful!
Posted by bod | February 4, 2006 2:52 PM
Posted on February 4, 2006 14:52
Here in Canada, politicians and healthcare professionals want us to believe that we bare the responsiblity for health costs. That if we would only lead healthier lifestyles (i.e. exercise, diet, vitamins, stress reduction, etc.) the system wold be fixed. So we try, but in the grand scheme of all this, they daily crush our efforts with immeasureable toxic stress that harms the immune system and reduces the will to live. Maybe that's the devious solution they seek in the guise of 'fixing things'. Too reduce patient numbers. It must be because surely they know that we could all be hale and twice as healthy, and so much less a burden to the system if we could be certain that when help is needed, (a catscan, an operation, or any other intervention) it would be readily accessible.
Posted by Roberta S | February 6, 2006 12:39 PM
Posted on February 6, 2006 12:39
Roberta, I remember talking with a Canadian friend who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She couldn't get an appointment with the surgeon for SIX MONTHS!! I would have died of the anxiety in that time. Luckily, someone stepped in for her and got her the health she needed much sooner, but I think her story is the exception to the rule.
I have another friend in England who is being watched for breast and cervical cancer and she would not be able to get the help she needs without private insurance. In fact, she was prepared to fly to the U.S. to get a surgery she needed, if she couldn't find the help locally, within a reasonable wait. Not everyone can afford the cost of insurance or travel, and they are at the mercy of politicians who would rather spend the money on war, or subsidizing countries that hate us.
I mind that my taxes don't do more to help those at home, especially after the problems caused by Katrina and Rita. We're moving closer to hurricane season and people along the Gulf coast are STILL waiting for help...and it doesn't look like it's coming.
Ooops...I got off track there. Yes, we can make healthy choices, and Yes, we can exercise, but when we need help, I agree with you.....let them be there for us!
Posted by buffy | February 6, 2006 12:48 PM
Posted on February 6, 2006 12:48
Hey girl, poped in to see how your doing! OH, medical! It's a night mare! I'm locked in because of my Ill. and have to go along but there has got to be a better way!
Posted by Joe | February 6, 2006 4:55 PM
Posted on February 6, 2006 16:55
It is a nightmare, isn't it, Joe. I hope you're doing okay.
Posted by buffy | February 6, 2006 7:24 PM
Posted on February 6, 2006 19:24
But that's $900,000 each doctor will make, before they do another thing!!!
The only word for it is Greed.
Posted by Blue Witch | February 7, 2006 6:31 AM
Posted on February 7, 2006 06:31
Oh... and... your comments box is refusing to accept my email address (so I got round it by chaning it to .com)
"Your comment could not be submitted due to questionable content: dot co dot uk"
(I suspect your spam filter has blocked a spammer and accidentally added all the dot co dot uk domains!)
Posted by Blue Witch | February 7, 2006 6:33 AM
Posted on February 7, 2006 06:33
BW, the doc has to share that with the company which will be doing all the paperwork and patient management, but still....it's GREED with all caps!
I think you're probably right. I have a spam problem, and we just banned a LOT. I'll pass the problem on. Thanks.
Posted by buffy | February 7, 2006 12:53 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 12:53
Who the heck has $1500 laying around? It sounds like another scheme to bilk the working class. It's not about humanity; it's about who can pay.
Posted by Nancy | February 7, 2006 1:49 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 13:49
Exactly! DH and I have an appointment to "meet the doc" for a new doctor on Monday, and the first question I'll have for him will be "Are you considering MDVIP??"!
Posted by buffy | February 7, 2006 3:11 PM
Posted on February 7, 2006 15:11