Would you pay a "membership fee" to see a doctor?

[dud]

Received a letter this last weekend from the wife's doctor stating that because of the greedy insurance companies and how bad they are ... they were having to start charging a yearly $150 membership fee to see the doctor. Now what does "membership fee" buy you? The letter details how it covers only administrative things like writing referrals, etc. Wasn't and hasn't this previously been considered a cost of doing business? So, starting in 2018 we will have to pay $150 just to get in the door ... and then our regular copays. (Note, this is not a fee to gain access to 27/7/365 medical care/consultations that some practices charge for on a monthly basis.)

WTH?

Anyone else experience this type of medical greed?

 

[Puffnstuff]

I've noticed that everything is going to tiered service pricing, especially at the dentist office.

 

[PottedMeat]

do you know anyone else that has a doc at that practice? ask if they're getting jacked too

27/7/365

cool, what planet are you from?

 

[dud]

I've noticed that everything is going to tiered service pricing, especially at the dentist office.

This is not a case of tiered pricing. I still have to pay my copays. The doctor is trying to create a separate income stream regardless of how many times you visit them. My wife visits this particular doctor twice per year so our out-of-pocket cost of each visit has jumped from $40 to $40 + ($150/2 visits) or $115 per visit!

 

[dud]

do you know anyone else that has a doc at that practice? ask if they're getting jacked too



cool, what planet are you from?

Only one doctor at the practice and that should have read 24/7/365 smartass ...

 

[cbrunny]

I pay taxes. that's my membership fee.

PS - get a real healthcare system.

 

[dud]

I pay taxes. that's my membership fee.

PS - get a real healthcare system.

Canadian?

 

[snoopy7548]

No, and if I did I would quickly find a new doctor and let them know why I'm leaving. Dude probably just wants to upgrade his yacht slip.

 

[Exterous]

unlikely unless there was some really big perk. Otherwise there are plenty of other competent doctors in my area

 

[Kaido]

No, and if I did I would quickly find a new doctor and let them know why I'm leaving. Dude probably just wants to upgrade his yacht slip.

I've never heard of a fee like that before. Google says an average doctor has 2,160 patients (18 patients seen per day with 240 working days per year & patients visiting twice per year). 2,160 people x $150 annual feel = an extra $324k per year. That's enough to cover 4 extra nurses, or a nice sailboat & race car for the head honco. Nice.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

This is not a case of tiered pricing. I still have to pay my copays. The doctor is trying to create a separate income stream regardless of how many times you visit them. My wife visits this particular doctor twice per year so our out-of-pocket cost of each visit has jumped from $40 to $40 + ($150/2 visits) or $115 per visit!

I wouid highly question the legality of this first and foremost - it would be one thing if they didn't do insurance, but when they DO accept insurance (in network) they are basically tied to the rules of said insurance company - basically anytime they charge a patient it has to go through the insurance IIRC.

Either way, I would find a new doctor and tell them to fuck off... what the fuck is this anyways, you want to charge me on a reoccurring basis on the PROSPECT of being able to see you? Are you some rare celebrity? No? Then how fucking stupid can you be to try this and think it will pay off?

 

[Orsorum]

I wouid highly question the legality of this first and foremost - it would be one thing if they didn't do insurance, but when they DO accept insurance (in network) they are basically tied to the rules of said insurance company - basically anytime they charge a patient it has to go through the insurance IIRC.

Either way, I would find a new doctor and tell them to fuck off... what the fuck is this anyways, you want to charge me on a reoccurring basis on the PROSPECT of being able to see you? Are you some rare celebrity? No? Then how fucking stupid can you be to try this and think it will pay off?

I agree with the first paragraph - I am a proponent of alternate pricing models and if a subscription fee is imposed in lieu of taking insurance I'm all for it. But doing so in addition to charging insurance for even routine care is really sketch to me.

 

[urvile]

I pay taxes. that's my membership fee.

PS - get a real healthcare system.

When i go to a GP I get half back via medicare. There are still doctors who bulk bill i.e. the government covers the total cost (that used to be the norm)

But thats mainly for low income/unemployed folks these days.

About 20 years ago i had a severe traffic accident. I had to have multiple operations to reconstruct one of my wrists including bone grafts and stuff.

I was in hospital for a fortnight. Didnt cost me a dime. Thats still the norm. I still have private health insurance but mainly for dental.

I have to get a fake tooth installed and thats going to cost me 4 and a half grand. Boo.

Please re-configure tapatalk and remove the sig. We consider that spam on this forum. - VirtualLarry

 

[ch33zw1z]

find a different in-network doctor.

 

[pcgeek11]

find a different in-network doctor.

This in spades. Your doctor with the user fee is in it only for the money.

 

[mindless1]

Public reaming on youtube.