My primary care physician (who happens to bear a remarkable resemblance to the Bitstrip avatar at right) has had my trust for twelve or thirteen years, ever since my first visit to her. In addition to being a highly competent professional, she's a warm, likable human being. I'm about to lose her.In a recent letter she advised that she'll soon change to a concierge-type practice, primarily to reduce the size of her current practice and increase her availability to the patients who stay with her. The letter went on to outline her reasons for making the change, and I understand all of them. I don't blame her a bit.
I'd love to continue being her patient, but the changes she's making will come at a cost, and I can't afford it. There'll be an upfront fee of $1,650 per person per year. I'm guessing that only two groups of people will be willing to pay a fee like that: 1) people who have plenty of disposable income and don't mind absorbing the cost in exchange for greater access to a physician, and 2) folks whose current health issues cause them to spend a lot of time in the doctor's office and who, as a result, are desperate to maintain that important doctor-patient relationship regardless of personal sacrifice. I don't fall into either category.
Normally, I see this doctor twice a year for routine blood work and prescription renewals. At that rate the new fee would amount to $825 a visit, not including actual per-visit charges for office visits, x-rays, lab work, etc., that will still be billed to insurance carriers under the new plan. To fit the annual fee into my budget I'd need to cancel my cable TV and my Internet service, neither of which is crucial to my existence, I realize, but both of which contribute more to the quality of my life than longer doctor's visits would. (I'm knocking on wood now to cancel out any jinxes created by that last sentence.)
So. I wish her well. I really do. If this will make her workday more pleasant, the work itself more rewarding, she'd be silly not to go for it. But I, for one, will miss her.
In the meantime, it's sinking in that I've been plunged unexpectedly into a doctor-shopping race with other soon-to-be-former patients. Wish me luck.
It's sometimes difficult to find a new doctor. So many aren't accepting Medicare patients. It also becoming a fact of life, at least, in our part of the country, there are very few independent physicians. They are all now part of large hospital systems, and with that comes the "Big Business" mentality.
ReplyDeleteWith every day that passes, I miss Marcus Welby, MD, more.
DeleteHow interesting. I had never heard of a concierge type practice. Thanks for giving the link to the definition. Gee, I bet more and more doctors go to this. Why wouldn't they? It sounds great for them and for their patients who can afford it. Thanks for the heads up. Now I won't be quite as shocked if my doctor decides to go that route someday soon and I'm left searching for a new doctor!
ReplyDeleteJudging by the number of solicitations I've received by mail and by phone, I believe most current patients are not jumping on the bandwagon as quickly as was anticipated. Doesn't surprise me.
DeleteWOW! That would be nice, but .... wow, those of us with limited incomes will never be able to afford such a service. Good luck on finding a new doctor.
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be nice, but I agree with you that most people will never be able to afford it. Even if I could, I'm not sure I'd want to pay such an exorbitant fee up front.
DeleteFirst of all, you are so up on technology with the bitstrip. I didn't know about that, so thanks. Secondly, I feel your pain; I would hate to have to go doctor shopping.
ReplyDeleteI know I should find another doctor soon, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Should I make an appointment even if I don't have any worrisome symptoms? Or wait until I need a doctor and get an appointment three weeks later if I'm lucky?
DeleteYep that kind of thing is happening over here a lot. Donna's daughter is a nurse for a doctor that does this. With all the changes in Medicare and medical stuff it looks like most doctors don't feel they get enough to treat Medicare patients. We are lucky that our intern is in a clinic style group that still takes Medicare. You may have to look for a doctor in this type of arrangement.
ReplyDeleteC.O., is that you? My current doctor is also part of a large group, so I'm hoping to move to one of the other docs in the same organization. Just hoping they aren't all overbooked with new patients coming from my doctor's bail-outs plus newly covered Affordable Care Act insured.
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