lets-retire
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2004
- Messages
- 1,798
In network provider, not a ton of options otherwise, and from a medical standpoint I think the doc is highly qualified and has a good patient rapport. The waiting, phone tag, etc is a common occurrence at many local providers apparently.
You see, the doc makes nothing from my phone calls but gets paid a little bit when I have to go in and see him for a couple of minutes. Probably a symptom of my health insurance coverage and the payment structure more than poorly run administration at the docs office. From a doc's standpoint of practice management - focusing on revenue producing activities (patient visits) to the detriment of phone based medicine that is uncompensated is probably a smart thing to do in what is I'm sure a fairly small margin business.
We haven't had near the troubles you have detailed. When we did get involved with doctors who were more interested in only the money making side of their business we took our insurance money and went to another doctor. The DWs first neurologist was more concerned with her research than providing patient care, so when the DW would call to be seen about an issue, it would take 2-3 months to get in. We would go, the doc would tell us that we should have come in sooner because she couldn't do anything now, DW would explain that she called when she was having the issue and asked for the first appointment and this was it. After several months of this the DW changed neurologists. The new one started great then started sliding. The DW complained that the phones weren't being answered and calls weren't being returned. Apparently several patients were complaining about the same thing, because the counter help was fired and service went back to normal.
With those two exceptions I have seen doctors in four states using private insurance in areas ranging from large cities to small very rural towns. If I need anything refilled or assistance in any way, I have been able to pick up the phone and get it.