tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076839327674215825.post3284493634145728070..comments2024-03-27T05:14:34.288-04:00Comments on Medinnovation And Health Reform: Government reform - Hey, Big SpenderRichard L. Reece, MDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03446550629857699574noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076839327674215825.post-88749729476284005942009-04-16T10:04:00.000-04:002009-04-16T10:04:00.000-04:00I agree doctors have less clout than payers and th...I agree doctors have less clout than payers and the government, and some fees are ridiculously low. I also agree doctors have most, for the part, any means or backbone to stand up against "the machine." You are right, too, when you say patients have to be educated. Blance may be restored when the doctor shortage becomes painfully obvious.Richard L. Reece, MDhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03446550629857699574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6076839327674215825.post-58856146111071484832009-04-15T20:21:00.000-04:002009-04-15T20:21:00.000-04:00I have been on the billing side of healthcare sinc...I have been on the billing side of healthcare since 1982, I'm that lady with the glasses on her nose that used to hand type your HCFA 1500's and stuff them into envelopes and mail them to the payers. I opened your mail and posted the payments from the ins. companies and send statements to the patients. I answered their angry calls when they swore they never received the first 3 statement but were insulted to have received a `dunning` collection letter - smiles. What I know is back then, patients who had surgery scheduled for Weds were admitted on Sunday - and insurance paid. They may not have been discharged after that minor surgery until the following Sunday - and insurance paid it. Straight 80/20 back then. The provider side got greedy and took advantage of the system. I was there when capitated plans came about, and usual and customary, and Graham Rudman and all the other write off processes that have us were we are today. We have a family practice provider that will no longer perform colonoscopys because his Medicare pymt of $54.85 doesnt cover his cost to clean the tools, rent the suite and be out of the office not seeing 3-4 regular patients. Medicaid pays our OB-Gyn $532 for a normal delivery, heaven help her if the woman did come to her at 4 weeks for the full 10 months, and then stays in active labor for a few hours your down to about $20 and hour for care, that doesnt pay the liability insurance. Providers got greedy but they were individuals, and now there up against a machine - PAYERS. How to bring back balance? Well I can tell you when I encontered slow payers, I would print the claims sorted by Employer and mail them to the HR dept and ask them to contact the payer - since they pay the premiums, thats who they listen to. If the consumer doesnt get educated nothing will change and unfortunately the payer and the government is doing a better job of advertising their so called solutions then the providers. Providers are afraid to advertise, to talk about the issues, remember when attornies felt the same way? DO IT - get out ther fellas and fight your own battle - after all we already trust you - we trust you with our VERY LIVES!!TheCampbellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13511371358895699408noreply@blogger.com