Re: Re: prior auths for radiology

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > Date: Friday, May 18, 2012, 10:45 AM

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > Any chance you can try out your idea of a " health club " in addition to

> >

> > > the dollar a day practice. In other words, go retainer fee with extra

> >

> > > benefits? Maybe one of you could do the hospitalist thing (as a

> > regular

> > > paid gig) and the other can start up the retainer practice?

> > >

> > > The $300,000-$400,000 seems steep to me for a building, but that may

> > > just be the going rate in your area.

> > >

> > > Tough times for those of us trying to do the right thing. Good luck

> > > with all your decisions.

> > >

> > > From:

> > >

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > [mailto: <http://mc/compose?to=%40yahoogroups.com>]

> > On Behalf Of Egly

> > > Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:13 AM

> > > To:

> > >

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > Subject: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > >

> > > Dear IMPS,

> > >

> > > I need your input and wisdom for help in making a tough change in

> > practice.

> > >

> > > and I have been sharing our practice for 8 years in a small 5

> > > room office with three bathrooms total 660 sq-ft. Plus community

> > > hallway linking the rooms in the south hallway of our community

> > > hospital. For this we pay rent $884 per month or $10,000 per year

> > > including heat, cooling, electricity, water, cleaning, sharps, and

> > > hazardous waste removal. They maintain the parking lot, grounds, snow

> >

> > > removal.

> > >

> > > This hospital will be building 16 new beds starting 8/2012 to be

> > > complete by 9/2013. At that time they will likely tear down the

> > > existing space we rent. We will have to change office locations.

> > >

> > > Most of the other physicians in town work for a nearby hospital

> > > competitor and a few have signed up with the in town hospital

> > sponsored

> > > group. Our patient population is falling for lack of visibility and

> > > group association.

> > >

> > > The ER group is offering hospitalist shifts at our hospital for $75

> > per

> > > hour with in house responsibility 7AM- & PM and call coverage 7PM to

> > > 7AM. They are offering no benefits. They would like me to resign

> > from

> > > my own clinic to not scare away hospital business from the other major

> >

> > > groups in town.

> > >

> > > The medical office building in town is leasing space at $26 per sq-ft

> >

> > > increasing 3%per year. Minimum 1500 sq-ft. or $39,000 per year

> > > increasing over 10 years to $51,000 per year 10 years out.

> > >

> > > Options: 1. Wait and see.

> > >

> > > 2. Scour the area for cheap office space to re-establish as

> > > solo IMP and I become hospitalist. Employ staff to keep from

> > > going crazy full time with newborn at home.

> > >

> > > 3. We close our IMP and we both become hospitalists.

> > >

> > > 4. Go all in in this small community and buy land and build a building

> >

> > > for our IMP practice. Estimate $3-400,000 clearly about the same as

> > > leasing example above or cash flow of $1500 per month for just

> > > mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Additional expense unknow

> >

>

> --

>

> MD

>

> ph fax

>

May 22, 2012

Timely topic... and one of the most annoying.We send them patients, they make the money, and they want us to spend our time or pay a staff member to fill out form that help them make money. Ridiculous.

I push back. For the forms, I tell that them that I'm cash only and not contracted with the patients insurance company and don't have the info -- please get it themselves from the patient. :~)This am I got a call from a radiology ctr asking for a prior auth... I explained the above to her -- that this pt is in another state, and I have no contract with her insurance. If they can 't authorize the procedure, please provide me with the info I need to do it.. I try and put it back in their lap.

All ears to other ideas to make referrals less a time suck....???Anne

does anybody know what this means...

" Most prior auths (for radiology) are done by the radiology firms. "

I have to do prior authorizations and sit on hold for any MRI/CT.

If I can find a " radiology firm " I would prefer that.

thanks,

Maggie

> > >

> > > From: Dr. Brady

> > >

> > <drbrady@...<http://mc/compose?to=drbrady%40thevillagedoctor.hrcoxmail.com>

> > <mailto:drbrady@thevillagedoctor<http://mc/compose?to=drbrady@thevillagedoctor>

> > .

> > hrcoxmail.com>>

> > > Subject: RE: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > > To:

> > >

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > Date: Friday, May 18, 2012, 10:45 AM

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > Any chance you can try out your idea of a " health club " in addition to

> >

> > > the dollar a day practice. In other words, go retainer fee with extra

> >

> > > benefits? Maybe one of you could do the hospitalist thing (as a

> > regular

> > > paid gig) and the other can start up the retainer practice?

> > >

> > > The $300,000-$400,000 seems steep to me for a building, but that may

> > > just be the going rate in your area.

> > >

> > > Tough times for those of us trying to do the right thing. Good luck

> > > with all your decisions.

> > >

> > > From:

> > >

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > [mailto: <http://mc/compose?to=%40yahoogroups.com>]

> > On Behalf Of Egly

> > > Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:13 AM

> > > To:

> > >

> http://mc/compose?to=drbrady%40thevillagedoctor.hrcoxmail.com>

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > Subject: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > >

> > > Dear IMPS,

> > >

> > > I need your input and wisdom for help in making a tough change in

> > practice.

> > >

> > > and I have been sharing our practice for 8 years in a small 5

> > > room office with three bathrooms total 660 sq-ft. Plus community

> > > hallway linking the rooms in the south hallway of our community

> > > hospital. For this we pay rent $884 per month or $10,000 per year

> > > including heat, cooling, electricity, water, cleaning, sharps, and

> > > hazardous waste removal. They maintain the parking lot, grounds, snow

> >

> > > removal.

> > >

> > > This hospital will be building 16 new beds starting 8/2012 to be

> > > complete by 9/2013. At that time they will likely tear down the

> > > existing space we rent. We will have to change office locations.

> > >

> > > Most of the other physicians in town work for a nearby hospital

> > > competitor and a few have signed up with the in town hospital

> > sponsored

> > > group. Our patient population is falling for lack of visibility and

> > > group association.

> > >

> > > The ER group is offering hospitalist shifts at our hospital for $75

> > per

> > > hour with in house responsibility 7AM- & PM and call coverage 7PM to

> > > 7AM. They are offering no benefits. They would like me to resign

> > from

> > > my own clinic to not scare away hospital business from the other major

> >

> > > groups in town.

> > >

> > > The medical office building in town is leasing space at $26 per sq-ft

> >

> > > increasing 3%per year. Minimum 1500 sq-ft. or $39,000 per year

> > > increasing over 10 years to $51,000 per year 10 years out.

> > >

> > > Options: 1. Wait and see.

> > >

> > > 2. Scour the area for cheap office space to re-establish as

> > > solo IMP and I become hospitalist. Employ staff to keep from

> > > going crazy full time with newborn at home.

> > >

> > > 3. We close our IMP and we both become hospitalists.

> > >

> > > 4. Go all in in this small community and buy land and build a building

> >

> > > for our IMP practice. Estimate $3-400,000 clearly about the same as

> > > leasing example above or cash flow of $1500 per month for just

> > > mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Additional expense unknow

> >

>

> --

>

> MD

>

> ph fax

>

-- Anne Walch, MHS, PA-CHealing Path Integrative Medicinewww.hpimed.com

May 22, 2012

Yes, the radiology expects the PCP to get the prior auth prior to scheduling an appt.As far as not using the referral from of the specialist....well since I am usually begging them to see my patient in the first place.......for the most part they have so many patients that they do not budge on anything....and dealing with the office girls takes its own strategy!DannielleSubject: Re: prior auths for radiologyTo: Date: Monday, May 21, 2012, 11:21 PM

This amazes me (radiology facility obtaining prior auths)! Here (upstate NY) the first thing the scheduling person asks after you request a CT or MRI is "do you have the prior auth number?" If not, they explain that "you will need to get that and call us back." I'm afraid it makes sense to me, also, since I am the one that has the clinical info that justifies payment for the test. ---Sharlene

> > > >

> > > > From: Dr. Brady

> > > >

> > > <drbrady@<

> > > <mailto:drbrady@thevillagedoctor<

> http://mc/compose?to=drbrady@thevillagedoctor>

> > > .

> > > hrcoxmail.com>>

> > > > Subject: RE: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > > > To:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> > > oups.com>

> > > > Date: Friday, May 18, 2012, 10:45 AM

> > > >

> > > > ,

> > > >

> > > > Any chance you can try out your idea of a "health club" in addition to

> > >

> > > > the dollar a day practice. In other words, go retainer fee with extra

> > >

> > > > benefits? Maybe one of you could do the hospitalist thing (as a

> > > regular

> > > > paid gig) and the other can start up the retainer practice?

> > > >

> > > > The $300,000-$400,000 seems steep to me for a building, but that may

> > > > just be the going rate in your area.

> > > >

> > > > Tough times for those of us trying to do the right thing. Good luck

> > > > with all your decisions.

> > > >

> > > > From:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> http://mc/compose?to=%40yahoogroups.com>]

> > > oups.com>

> > > > [mailto: <

> > > On Behalf Of Egly

> > > > Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:13 AM

> > > > To:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> > > oups.com>

> > > > Subject: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > > >

> > > > Dear IMPS,

> > > >

> > > > I need your input and wisdom for help in making a tough change in

> > > practice.

> > > >

> > > > and I have been sharing our practice for 8 years in a small 5

> > > > room office with three bathrooms total 660 sq-ft. Plus community

> > > > hallway linking the rooms in the south hallway of our community

> > > > hospital. For this we pay rent $884 per month or $10,000 per year

> > > > including heat, cooling, electricity, water, cleaning, sharps, and

> > > > hazardous waste removal. They maintain the parking lot, grounds, snow

> > >

> > > > removal.

> > > >

> > > > This hospital will be building 16 new beds starting 8/2012 to be

> > > > complete by 9/2013. At that time they will likely tear down the

> > > > existing space we rent. We will have to change office locations.

> > > >

> > > > Most of the other physicians in town work for a nearby hospital

> > > > competitor and a few have signed up with the in town hospital

> > > sponsored

> > > > group. Our patient population is falling for lack of visibility and

> > > > group association.

> > > >

> > > > The ER group is offering hospitalist shifts at our hospital for $75

> > > per

> > > > hour with in house responsibility 7AM- & PM and call coverage 7PM to

> > > > 7AM. They are offering no benefits. They would like me to resign

> > > from

> > > > my own clinic to not scare away hospital business from the other major

> > >

> > > > groups in town.

> > > >

> > > > The medical office building in town is leasing space at $26 per sq-ft

> > >

> > > > increasing 3%per year. Minimum 1500 sq-ft. or $39,000 per year

> > > > increasing over 10 years to $51,000 per year 10 years out.

> > > >

> > > > Options: 1. Wait and see.

> > > >

> > > > 2. Scour the area for cheap office space to re-establish as

> > > > solo IMP and I become hospitalist. Employ staff to keep from

> > > > going crazy full time with newborn at home.

> > > >

> > > > 3. We close our IMP and we both become hospitalists.

> > > >

> > > > 4. Go all in in this small community and buy land and build a building

> > >

> > > > for our IMP practice. Estimate $3-400,000 clearly about the same as

> > > > leasing example above or cash flow of $1500 per month for just

> > > > mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Additional expense unknow

> > >

> >

> > --

> >

> > MD

> >

> > ph fax

> >

>

May 22, 2012

Maggie,Re:

does anybody know what this means... " Most prior auths (for radiology) are done by the radiology firms. "

I have to do prior authorizations and sit on hold for any MRI/CT.If I can find a " radiology firm " I would prefer that.thanks,MaggieI thought it meant the " radiology firms " that the insurance companies sub-contract out the prior auth process to (in Southern Cal, for example, Blue Cross uses AIM). Doesn't shift who is doing the work (primary care generally here although on a few things like Breast MRI the radiology facility will get the prior auth) to get the auth, but it is is a separate company the insurance company pays to process it. Generally I have found them easier to use because they seem to have procotols and rules I can learn rather than randomness; not to mention online portals rather than waiting on hold and talking to someone maybe with a high school diploma and no medical training (much easier on my patience). But still a hassle.

SharonSharon McCoy MDRenaissance Family Medicine10 McClintock Court; Irvine, CA 92617PH: (949)387-5504 Fax: (949)281-2197 Toll free phone/fax: www.SharonMD.com

does anybody know what this means...

" Most prior auths (for radiology) are done by the radiology firms. "

I have to do prior authorizations and sit on hold for any MRI/CT.

If I can find a " radiology firm " I would prefer that.

thanks,

Maggie

> > >

> > > From: Dr. Brady

> > >

> > <drbrady@...<http://mc/compose?to=drbrady%40thevillagedoctor.hrcoxmail.com>

> > <mailto:drbrady@thevillagedoctor<http://mc/compose?to=drbrady@thevillagedoctor>

> > .

> > hrcoxmail.com>>

> > > Subject: RE: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > > To:

> > >

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > Date: Friday, May 18, 2012, 10:45 AM

> > >

> > > ,

> > >

> > > Any chance you can try out your idea of a " health club " in addition to

> >

> > > the dollar a day practice. In other words, go retainer fee with extra

> >

> > > benefits? Maybe one of you could do the hospitalist thing (as a

> > regular

> > > paid gig) and the other can start up the retainer practice?

> > >

> > > The $300,000-$400,000 seems steep to me for a building, but that may

> > > just be the going rate in your area.

> > >

> > > Tough times for those of us trying to do the right thing. Good luck

> > > with all your decisions.

> > >

> > > From:

> > >

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > [mailto: <http://mc/compose?to=%40yahoogroups.com>]

> > On Behalf Of Egly

> > > Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:13 AM

> > > To:

> > >

> http://mc/compose?to=drbrady%40thevillagedoctor.hrcoxmail.com>

> > <mailto:@yahoogr<http://mc/compose?to=@yahoogr>

> > oups.com>

> > > Subject: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > >

> > > Dear IMPS,

> > >

> > > I need your input and wisdom for help in making a tough change in

> > practice.

> > >

> > > and I have been sharing our practice for 8 years in a small 5

> > > room office with three bathrooms total 660 sq-ft. Plus community

> > > hallway linking the rooms in the south hallway of our community

> > > hospital. For this we pay rent $884 per month or $10,000 per year

> > > including heat, cooling, electricity, water, cleaning, sharps, and

> > > hazardous waste removal. They maintain the parking lot, grounds, snow

> >

> > > removal.

> > >

> > > This hospital will be building 16 new beds starting 8/2012 to be

> > > complete by 9/2013. At that time they will likely tear down the

> > > existing space we rent. We will have to change office locations.

> > >

> > > Most of the other physicians in town work for a nearby hospital

> > > competitor and a few have signed up with the in town hospital

> > sponsored

> > > group. Our patient population is falling for lack of visibility and

> > > group association.

> > >

> > > The ER group is offering hospitalist shifts at our hospital for $75

> > per

> > > hour with in house responsibility 7AM- & PM and call coverage 7PM to

> > > 7AM. They are offering no benefits. They would like me to resign

> > from

> > > my own clinic to not scare away hospital business from the other major

> >

> > > groups in town.

> > >

> > > The medical office building in town is leasing space at $26 per sq-ft

> >

> > > increasing 3%per year. Minimum 1500 sq-ft. or $39,000 per year

> > > increasing over 10 years to $51,000 per year 10 years out.

> > >

> > > Options: 1. Wait and see.

> > >

> > > 2. Scour the area for cheap office space to re-establish as

> > > solo IMP and I become hospitalist. Employ staff to keep from

> > > going crazy full time with newborn at home.

> > >

> > > 3. We close our IMP and we both become hospitalists.

> > >

> > > 4. Go all in in this small community and buy land and build a building

> >

> > > for our IMP practice. Estimate $3-400,000 clearly about the same as

> > > leasing example above or cash flow of $1500 per month for just

> > > mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Additional expense unknow

> >

>

> --

>

> MD

>

> ph fax

>

May 22, 2012

In NJ, specialists can not issue referrals

to themselves. The radiologists can not

get their own prior auths. Care Core and others don’t want to hear from

them. That removes the checks and balances. I order the test, I feel it’s necessary. I am contracted with the insurance, then it is up to me to do the referral or get the prior

auth. And, no, I haven’t found a way to

make it suck less.

What pisses me off is when specialists offices ask us to prior auth a procedure that they

are going to do. We fight back and forth

with the poor patient in the middle just worried about getting their test

done. Radiologic procedures is

this gray area. If I

order the needle bx, who gets the prior auth….me? or the radiologists

as I don’t know the procedure codes, etc.

Kathy Saradarian,

MD

HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > >

> > > Dear IMPS,

> > >

> > > I need your input and wisdom for help in making a tough change

in

> > practice.

> > >

> > > and I have been sharing our practice for 8 years in a

small 5

> > > room office with three bathrooms total 660 sq-ft. Plus community

> > > hallway linking the rooms in the south hallway of our community

> > > hospital. For this we pay rent $884 per month or $10,000 per

year

> > > including heat, cooling, electricity, water, cleaning, sharps,

and

> > > hazardous waste removal. They maintain the parking lot, grounds,

snow

> >

> > > removal.

> > >

> > > This hospital will be building 16 new beds starting 8/2012 to be

> > > complete by 9/2013. At that time they will likely tear down the

> > > existing space we rent. We will have to change office locations.

> > >

> > > Most of the other physicians in town work for a nearby hospital

> > > competitor and a few have signed up with the in town hospital

> > sponsored

> > > group. Our patient population is falling for lack of visibility

and

> > > group association.

> > >

> > > The ER group is offering hospitalist shifts at our hospital for

$75

> > per

> > > hour with in house responsibility 7AM- & PM and call coverage 7PM to

> > > 7AM. They are offering no benefits. They would like me to resign

> > from

> > > my own clinic to not scare away hospital business from the other

major

> >

> > > groups in town.

> > >

> > > The medical office building in town is leasing space at $26 per

sq-ft

> >

> > > increasing 3%per year. Minimum 1500 sq-ft. or $39,000 per year

> > > increasing over 10 years to $51,000 per year 10 years out.

> > >

> > > Options: 1. Wait and see.

> > >

> > > 2. Scour the area for cheap office space to re-establish

as

> > > solo IMP and I become hospitalist. Employ staff to keep

from

> > > going crazy full time with newborn at home.

> > >

> > > 3. We close our IMP and we both become hospitalists.

> > >

> > > 4. Go all in in this small community and buy land and build a

building

> >

> > > for our IMP practice. Estimate $3-400,000 clearly about the same

as

> > > leasing example above or cash flow of $1500 per month for just

> > > mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Additional expense unknow

> >

>

> --

>

> MD

>

> ph 207

778 3313 fax

>

--

Anne Walch, MHS, PA-C

Healing Path Integrative Medicine

www.hpimed.com

May 22, 2012

I have the same issues, Sharlene. Where are you practicing?Frederick Elliott MDBuffalo, NY

This amazes me (radiology facility obtaining prior auths)! Here (upstate NY) the first thing the scheduling person asks after you request a CT or MRI is "do you have the prior auth number?" If not, they explain that "you will need to get that and call us back." I'm afraid it makes sense to me, also, since I am the one that has the clinical info that justifies payment for the test. ---Sharlene

> > > >

> > > > From: Dr. Brady

> > > >

> > > <drbrady@<

> > > <mailto:drbrady@thevillagedoctor<

> http://mc/compose?to=drbrady@thevillagedoctor>

> > > .

> > > hrcoxmail.com>>

> > > > Subject: RE: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > > > To:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> > > oups.com>

> > > > Date: Friday, May 18, 2012, 10:45 AM

> > > >

> > > > ,

> > > >

> > > > Any chance you can try out your idea of a "health club" in addition to

> > >

> > > > the dollar a day practice. In other words, go retainer fee with extra

> > >

> > > > benefits? Maybe one of you could do the hospitalist thing (as a

> > > regular

> > > > paid gig) and the other can start up the retainer practice?

> > > >

> > > > The $300,000-$400,000 seems steep to me for a building, but that may

> > > > just be the going rate in your area.

> > > >

> > > > Tough times for those of us trying to do the right thing. Good luck

> > > > with all your decisions.

> > > >

> > > > From:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> http://mc/compose?to=%40yahoogroups.com>]

> > > oups.com>

> > > > [mailto: <

> > > On Behalf Of Egly

> > > > Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:13 AM

> > > > To:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> http://mc/compose?to=drbrady%40thevillagedoctor.hrcoxmail.com>

> > > oups.com>

> > > > Subject: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > > >

> > > > Dear IMPS,

> > > >

> > > > I need your input and wisdom for help in making a tough change in

> > > practice.

> > > >

> > > > and I have been sharing our practice for 8 years in a small 5

> > > > room office with three bathrooms total 660 sq-ft. Plus community

> > > > hallway linking the rooms in the south hallway of our community

> > > > hospital. For this we pay rent $884 per month or $10,000 per year

> > > > including heat, cooling, electricity, water, cleaning, sharps, and

> > > > hazardous waste removal. They maintain the parking lot, grounds, snow

> > >

> > > > removal.

> > > >

> > > > This hospital will be building 16 new beds starting 8/2012 to be

> > > > complete by 9/2013. At that time they will likely tear down the

> > > > existing space we rent. We will have to change office locations.

> > > >

> > > > Most of the other physicians in town work for a nearby hospital

> > > > competitor and a few have signed up with the in town hospital

> > > sponsored

> > > > group. Our patient population is falling for lack of visibility and

> > > > group association.

> > > >

> > > > The ER group is offering hospitalist shifts at our hospital for $75

> > > per

> > > > hour with in house responsibility 7AM- & PM and call coverage 7PM to

> > > > 7AM. They are offering no benefits. They would like me to resign

> > > from

> > > > my own clinic to not scare away hospital business from the other major

> > >

> > > > groups in town.

> > > >

> > > > The medical office building in town is leasing space at $26 per sq-ft

> > >

> > > > increasing 3%per year. Minimum 1500 sq-ft. or $39,000 per year

> > > > increasing over 10 years to $51,000 per year 10 years out.

> > > >

> > > > Options: 1. Wait and see.

> > > >

> > > > 2. Scour the area for cheap office space to re-establish as

> > > > solo IMP and I become hospitalist. Employ staff to keep from

> > > > going crazy full time with newborn at home.

> > > >

> > > > 3. We close our IMP and we both become hospitalists.

> > > >

> > > > 4. Go all in in this small community and buy land and build a building

> > >

> > > > for our IMP practice. Estimate $3-400,000 clearly about the same as

> > > > leasing example above or cash flow of $1500 per month for just

> > > > mortgage, insurance, and taxes. Additional expense unknow

> > >

> >

> > --

> >

> > MD

> >

> > ph fax

> >

>

May 22, 2012

Where I am, CT and MRI are competetive. All the facilities are willing to obtain the pre-auth. If they don't, I refer to the one which is willing to do it. And they all do. Think about it: It is big margin for them! Once in a while, they may ask my progress note. Rarely, the insurance doctors need to talk to me. That is after they get all the info, just to clarify: like they won't approve brain MRI and MRA unless MRI is abnormal, etc.

Maybe call around and find which facility is willing to do it for your patients? I hate pre-auth, tests or meds. Tons of mine or assistant's time. Wen San Mateo, CA

On Mon, May 21, 2012 at 5:45 PM, Frederick Elliott wrote:

I have the same issues, Sharlene. Where are you practicing?Frederick Elliott MDBuffalo, NY

This amazes me (radiology facility obtaining prior auths)! Here (upstate NY) the first thing the scheduling person asks after you request a CT or MRI is " do you have the prior auth number? " If not, they explain that " you will need to get that and call us back. " I'm afraid it makes sense to me, also, since I am the one that has the clinical info that justifies payment for the test. ---Sharlene

> > > >

> > > > From: Dr. Brady

> > > >

> > > <drbrady@<

> > > <mailto:drbrady@thevillagedoctor<

> http://mc/compose?to=drbrady@thevillagedoctor>

> > > .

> > > hrcoxmail.com>>

> > > > Subject: RE: HELP FORK IN THE ROAD

> > > > To:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> > > oups.com>

> > > > Date: Friday, May 18, 2012, 10:45 AM

> > > >

> > > > ,

> > > >

> > > > Any chance you can try out your idea of a " health club " in addition to

> > >

> > > > the dollar a day practice. In other words, go retainer fee with extra

> > >

> > > > benefits? Maybe one of you could do the hospitalist thing (as a

> > > regular

> > > > paid gig) and the other can start up the retainer practice?

> > > >

> > > > The $300,000-$400,000 seems steep to me for a building, but that may

> > > > just be the going rate in your area.

> > > >

> > > > Tough times for those of us trying to do the right thing. Good luck

> > > > with all your decisions.

> > > >

> > > > From:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<

> http://mc/compose?to=%40yahoogroups.com>]

> > > oups.com>

> > > > [mailto: <

> > > On Behalf Of Egly

> > > > Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2012 11:13 AM

> > > > To:

> > > >

> > > <

> > > <mailto:@yahoogr<