Re: Why won't doctors take cash?

[Guest guest]

1. some offices may not take cash as they've been burned by staff theft2. I always give a discount to my cash paying patients and I would have to sit and figure it out before taking any money at the end of a visit. (which I would ask them to come back on my billing day)3. It's harder to prove you paid if you pay in cash and lose the receipt and the back office messes up applying the money to the correct services. (like right now my NCBF has been misapplied to back bills by my volunteer biller instead of the NCBF making some patients upset)4. the staff member didn't have good people skills and kept clashing with your mother's hearing loss inflamming the situationSorry to hear it was such an

ordeal! To: Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 3:33 PM Subject: Why won't doctors take cash?

The last post got a little messed up at the end.

Can anyone help me understand this?

My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.

On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the

front desk and says, "I'd like to pay my bill."

The receptionists look baffled.

"You want to pay your bill?" one asks.

Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,

"I'd like to pay my bill, please."

"You want to pay your bill?" asks the lead receptionist.

Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her

wallet and yells, "I want to pay now!" as she slams a

few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, "Cash!"

Nobody at the desk knows what to do.

Mom looks around at all the patients—with their canes,

walkers, and wheelchairs—packed into the waiting room

and then again at the receptionists and shouts,

"What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?

What do you guys make of this?

Pamela

Pamela Wible, MD

3575 St. #220

Eugene, OR 97405

www.idealmedicalcare.org

"(S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope."

~ Coleridge

[Guest guest]

We love cash, I am regular family doc not a fancy cardiologist.My staff ( my wife Ardiana and I ), my wife get ur money gives u a receipt and make sure ur payment is credited.I know what to do with cash,anyway my 1/2 cent( should I say my half mg?)Adolfo E. Teran,MD

1. some offices may not take cash as they've been burned by staff theft2. I always give a discount to my cash paying patients and I would have to sit and figure it out before taking any money at the end of a visit. (which I would ask them to come back on my billing day)3. It's harder to prove you paid if you pay in cash and lose the receipt and the back office messes up applying the money to the correct services. (like right now my NCBF has been misapplied to back bills by my volunteer biller instead of the NCBF making some patients upset)4. the staff member didn't have good people skills and kept clashing with your mother's hearing loss inflamming the situationSorry to hear it was such an

ordeal! To: Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 3:33 PM Subject: Why won't doctors take cash?

The last post got a little messed up at the end.

Can anyone help me understand this?

My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.

On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the

front desk and says, "I'd like to pay my bill."

The receptionists look baffled.

"You want to pay your bill?" one asks.

Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,

"I'd like to pay my bill, please."

"You want to pay your bill?" asks the lead receptionist.

Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her

wallet and yells, "I want to pay now!" as she slams a

few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, "Cash!"

Nobody at the desk knows what to do.

Mom looks around at all the patients—with their canes,

walkers, and wheelchairs—packed into the waiting room

and then again at the receptionists and shouts,

"What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?

What do you guys make of this?

Pamela

Pamela Wible, MD

3575 St. #220

Eugene, OR 97405

www.idealmedicalcare.org

"(S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope."

~ Coleridge

=

[Guest guest]

It is a matter of practice. (double entendre here) I serve a population that does not have bank accounts or credit cards (imagine that) so for me it’s 95% cash. I have to say it sucks when I occasionally forget to have enough change but works most of the time J Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhDExecutive Director & Co-founderCare for Your Health, IncPhone Fax www.care4yourhealth.org " Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged. " Help us make our community healthy -> http://www.care4yourhealth.org/wanttohelp.php From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of roxywibleSent: Monday, May 28, 2012 3:34 PMTo: Subject: Why won't doctors take cash? The last post got a little messed up at the end.Can anyone help me understand this?My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.On the way out of the clinic, she stops at thefront desk and says, " I'd like to pay my bill. " The receptionists look baffled. " You want to pay your bill? " one asks.Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice, " I'd like to pay my bill, please. " " You want to pay your bill? " asks the lead receptionist.Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out herwallet and yells, " I want to pay now! " as she slams afew hundreds on the counter. She shouts, " Cash! " Nobody at the desk knows what to do.Mom looks around at all the patients—with their canes,walkers, and wheelchairs—packed into the waiting roomand then again at the receptionists and shouts, " What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?What do you guys make of this?PamelaPamela Wible, MD3575 St. #220 Eugene, OR 97405www.idealmedicalcare.org " (S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope. " ~ ColeridgeNo virus found in this message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.comVersion: 2012.0.2176 / Virus Database: 2425/5028 - Release Date: 05/28/12

[Guest guest]

For a lot of Cardiology offices, where most patients are on Medicare, a cash paying patient must be some sort of oddity.As a matter of fact, most patient's don't pay their bills in the Cardiologist's office anymore. It's likely that Medicare and a supplement cover nearly everything beyond a modest deductible. I think the staff were just confused as to what to charge and were not well trained. I bet they didn't have enough information in front of them to make a decision. The yelling probably didn't help bring out their best.Confusion stems from the lack of pricing transparency and the logistical difficulty in coding out the bill before the patient gets to the checkout window.There are at least 3 prices for

the same service in most offices that take Medicare/Medicaid and insurance.The list price that's set somewhat above what you're best insurer will pay.The Medicare price that's dictated by the government.The reasonable price, which is what might be charged to a cash paying, uninsured patient if the doctor didn't want to stick them with the rate that's set above what insurance reimburses.They may have been worried that charging list price and not the Medicare allowable price for a Medicare aged patient would get them in trouble with the Medicare fraud police (OIG) or RAC audits or heaven knows what else. Ben To: Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 2:33 PM Subject: Why won't doctors take cash?

The last post got a little messed up at the end.

Can anyone help me understand this?

My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.

On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the

front desk and says, "I'd like to pay my bill."

The receptionists look baffled.

"You want to pay your bill?" one asks.

Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,

"I'd like to pay my bill, please."

"You want to pay your bill?" asks the lead receptionist.

Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her

wallet and yells, "I want to pay now!" as she slams a

few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, "Cash!"

Nobody at the desk knows what to do.

Mom looks around at all the patients—with their canes,

walkers, and wheelchairs—packed into the waiting room

and then again at the receptionists and shouts,

"What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?

What do you guys make of this?

Pamela

Pamela Wible, MD

3575 St. #220

Eugene, OR 97405

www.idealmedicalcare.org

"(S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope."

~ Coleridge

[Guest guest]

Yes! I do understand all of this as I am a solo-solo

(non-cards) doc, but don't yall think it is just a little

bizarre that patients can't easily pay cash. . .

Yes, easy in my office, but geez! what a crazy system!

Pamela

>

> For a lot of Cardiology offices, where most patients are on Medicare, a cash

paying patient must be some sort of oddity.

>

> As a matter of fact, most patient's don't pay their bills in the

Cardiologist's office anymore.  It's likely that Medicare and a supplement

cover nearly everything beyond a modest deductible.  

>

> I think the staff were just confused as to what to charge and were not well

trained.  I bet they didn't have enough information in front of them to make a

decision.  The yelling probably didn't help bring out their best.

>

> Confusion stems from the lack of pricing transparency and the logistical

difficulty in coding out the bill before the patient gets to the checkout

window.

>

>

> There are at least 3 prices for the same service in most offices that take

Medicare/Medicaid and insurance.

> The list price that's set somewhat above what you're best insurer will pay.

> The Medicare price that's dictated by the government.

> The reasonable price, which is what might be charged to a cash paying,

uninsured patient if the doctor didn't  want to stick them with the rate that's

set above what insurance reimburses.

>

> They may have been worried that charging list price and not the Medicare

allowable price for a Medicare aged patient would get them in trouble with the

Medicare fraud police (OIG) or RAC audits or heaven knows what else.   

>

> Ben

>

> ________________________________

>

> To:

> Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 2:33 PM

> Subject: Why won't doctors take cash?

>

>

>  

> The last post got a little messed up at the end.

> Can anyone help me understand this?

>

> My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.

> On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the

> front desk and says, " I'd like to pay my bill. "

>

> The receptionists look baffled.

> " You want to pay your bill? " one asks.

>

> Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,

> " I'd like to pay my bill, please. "

> " You want to pay your bill? " asks the lead receptionist.

>

> Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her

> wallet and yells, " I want to pay now! " as she slams a

> few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, " Cash! "

> Nobody at the desk knows what to do.

>

> Mom looks around at all the patients†" with their canes,

> walkers, and wheelchairs†" packed into the waiting room

> and then again at the receptionists and shouts,

> " What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?

>

> What do you guys make of this?

>

> Pamela

>

> Pamela Wible, MD

> 3575 St. #220

> Eugene, OR 97405

>

> www.idealmedicalcare.org

>

> " (S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope. "

> ~ Coleridge

>

[Guest guest]

I don't usually post my own stories here, but, in light of the topic, I thought you might find this interesting: Why some practices stopped accepting patients' cashhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/20/bica0220.htm Best, ------ Stagg ElliottSenior ReporterAmerican Medical Newsvictoria.elliott@...Tel: 1-Fax: 1-www.amednews.com Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/VSElliottFollow American Medical News: http://twitter.com/amednewsBecome a fan of American Medical News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amednewsCentral time zone CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This email and any attached files contain material for the exclusive use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential information that is protected from use or disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete the original message and attachments without making any copies.Internet communications are not secure. You should scan this message and any attachments for viruses. Under no circumstances does the American Medical Association accept liability for any loss or damage that may result from your receipt of this message or any attachments. From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of roxywibleSent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 12:03 AMTo: Subject: Re: Why won't doctors take cash? Yes! I do understand all of this as I am a solo-solo(non-cards) doc, but don't yall think it is just a littlebizarre that patients can't easily pay cash. . .Yes, easy in my office, but geez! what a crazy system!Pamela>> For a lot of Cardiology offices, where most patients are on Medicare, a cash paying patient must be some sort of oddity.> > As a matter of fact, most patient's don't pay their bills in the Cardiologist's office anymore.  It's likely that Medicare and a supplement cover nearly everything beyond a modest deductible.  > > I think the staff were just confused as to what to charge and were not well trained.  I bet they didn't have enough information in front of them to make a decision.  The yelling probably didn't help bring out their best.> > Confusion stems from the lack of pricing transparency and the logistical difficulty in coding out the bill before the patient gets to the checkout window.> > > There are at least 3 prices for the same service in most offices that take Medicare/Medicaid and insurance.> The list price that's set somewhat above what you're best insurer will pay.> The Medicare price that's dictated by the government.> The reasonable price, which is what might be charged to a cash paying, uninsured patient if the doctor didn't  want to stick them with the rate that's set above what insurance reimburses.> > They may have been worried that charging list price and not the Medicare allowable price for a Medicare aged patient would get them in trouble with the Medicare fraud police (OIG) or RAC audits or heaven knows what else.   > > Ben> > ________________________________> > To: > Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 2:33 PM> Subject: Why won't doctors take cash?> > >  > The last post got a little messed up at the end.> Can anyone help me understand this?> > My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.> On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the> front desk and says, " I'd like to pay my bill. " > > The receptionists look baffled.> " You want to pay your bill? " one asks.> > Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,> " I'd like to pay my bill, please. " > " You want to pay your bill? " asks the lead receptionist.> > Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her> wallet and yells, " I want to pay now! " as she slams a> few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, " Cash! " > Nobody at the desk knows what to do.> > Mom looks around at all the patients†" with their canes,> walkers, and wheelchairs†" packed into the waiting room> and then again at the receptionists and shouts,> " What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?> > What do you guys make of this?> > Pamela> > Pamela Wible, MD> 3575 St. #220 > Eugene, OR 97405> > www.idealmedicalcare.org> > " (S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope. " > ~ Coleridge>

[Guest guest]

It is interesting story. However I preferred to be paid in cash. Given the severely discounted rates I have for my low income patients, even the low %  square charges for a cc transaction hurts. Check are OK but if they pay me with cash I don’t need to deal with bounced checks and it saves me time dealing with that and posting payments. I guess to each their own Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhDExecutive Director & Co-founderCare for Your Health, IncPhone Fax www.care4yourhealth.org " Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged. " Help us make our community healthy -> http://www.care4yourhealth.org/wanttohelp.php From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of ElliottSent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 10:29 AMTo: Subject: RE: Re: Why won't doctors take cash? I don't usually post my own stories here, but, in light of the topic, I thought you might find this interesting: Why some practices stopped accepting patients' cashhttp://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/02/20/bica0220.htm Best, ------ Stagg ElliottSenior Reporter American Medical Newsvictoria.elliott@...Tel: 1-Fax: 1-www.amednews.com Follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/VSElliottFollow American Medical News: http://twitter.com/amednewsBecome a fan of American Medical News on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/amednewsCentral time zone CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE This email and any attached files contain material for the exclusive use of the intended recipient and may contain confidential information that is protected from use or disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender and delete the original message and attachments without making any copies.Internet communications are not secure. You should scan this message and any attachments for viruses. Under no circumstances does the American Medical Association accept liability for any loss or damage that may result from your receipt of this message or any attachments. From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of roxywibleSent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 12:03 AMTo: Subject: Re: Why won't doctors take cash? Yes! I do understand all of this as I am a solo-solo(non-cards) doc, but don't yall think it is just a littlebizarre that patients can't easily pay cash. . .Yes, easy in my office, but geez! what a crazy system!Pamela>> For a lot of Cardiology offices, where most patients are on Medicare, a cash paying patient must be some sort of oddity.> > As a matter of fact, most patient's don't pay their bills in the Cardiologist's office anymore.  It's likely that Medicare and a supplement cover nearly everything beyond a modest deductible.  > > I think the staff were just confused as to what to charge and were not well trained.  I bet they didn't have enough information in front of them to make a decision.  The yelling probably didn't help bring out their best.> > Confusion stems from the lack of pricing transparency and the logistical difficulty in coding out the bill before the patient gets to the checkout window.> > > There are at least 3 prices for the same service in most offices that take Medicare/Medicaid and insurance.> The list price that's set somewhat above what you're best insurer will pay.> The Medicare price that's dictated by the government.> The reasonable price, which is what might be charged to a cash paying, uninsured patient if the doctor didn't  want to stick them with the rate that's set above what insurance reimburses.> > They may have been worried that charging list price and not the Medicare allowable price for a Medicare aged patient would get them in trouble with the Medicare fraud police (OIG) or RAC audits or heaven knows what else.   > > Ben> > ________________________________> > To: > Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 2:33 PM> Subject: Why won't doctors take cash?> > >  > The last post got a little messed up at the end.> Can anyone help me understand this?> > My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.> On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the> front desk and says, " I'd like to pay my bill. " > > The receptionists look baffled.> " You want to pay your bill? " one asks.> > Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,> " I'd like to pay my bill, please. " > " You want to pay your bill? " asks the lead receptionist.> > Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her> wallet and yells, " I want to pay now! " as she slams a> few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, " Cash! " > Nobody at the desk knows what to do.> > Mom looks around at all the patients†" with their canes,> walkers, and wheelchairs†" packed into the waiting room> and then again at the receptionists and shouts,> " What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?> > What do you guys make of this?> > Pamela> > Pamela Wible, MD> 3575 St. #220 > Eugene, OR 97405> > www.idealmedicalcare.org> > " (S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope. " > ~ Coleridge>No virus found in this message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.comVersion: 2012.0.2178 / Virus Database: 2425/5030 - Release Date: 05/29/12No virus found in this message.Checked by AVG - www.avg.comVersion: 2012.0.2178 / Virus Database: 2425/5030 - Release Date: 05/29/12

[Guest guest]

The real issue is that patients are seen as strange

if they want to pay at tie of service.

Then when they pull out cash, everyone stares

at them like they just arrived from another planet.

Insurance-driven health care has turned paying patients

into medical anomalies.

Pamela

> >

> > For a lot of Cardiology offices, where most patients are on Medicare, a cash

paying patient must be some sort of oddity.

> >

> > As a matter of fact, most patient's don't pay their bills in the

Cardiologist's office anymore. Â It's likely that Medicare and a supplement

cover nearly everything beyond a modest deductible. Â

> >

> > I think the staff were just confused as to what to charge and were not well

trained. Â I bet they didn't have enough information in front of them to make a

decision. Â The yelling probably didn't help bring out their best.

> >

> > Confusion stems from the lack of pricing transparency and the logistical

difficulty in coding out the bill before the patient gets to the checkout

window.

> >

> >

> > There are at least 3 prices for the same service in most offices that take

Medicare/Medicaid and insurance.

> > The list price that's set somewhat above what you're best insurer will pay.

> > The Medicare price that's dictated by the government.

> > The reasonable price, which is what might be charged to a cash paying,

uninsured patient if the doctor didn't  want to stick them with the rate

that's set above what insurance reimburses.

> >

> > They may have been worried that charging list price and not the Medicare

allowable price for a Medicare aged patient would get them in trouble with the

Medicare fraud police (OIG) or RAC audits or heaven knows what else. Â Â

> >

> > Ben

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: roxywible <roxywible@>

> > To:

<mailto:%40yahoogroups.com>

> > Sent: Monday, May 28, 2012 2:33 PM

> > Subject: Why won't doctors take cash?

> >

> >

> > Â

> > The last post got a little messed up at the end.

> > Can anyone help me understand this?

> >

> > My mom and I are at her cardiologist's office.

> > On the way out of the clinic, she stops at the

> > front desk and says, " I'd like to pay my bill. "

> >

> > The receptionists look baffled.

> > " You want to pay your bill? " one asks.

> >

> > Mom's hard of hearing so she raises her voice,

> > " I'd like to pay my bill, please. "

> > " You want to pay your bill? " asks the lead receptionist.

> >

> > Mom's frustration has become visible. She pulls out her

> > wallet and yells, " I want to pay now! " as she slams a

> > few hundreds on the counter. She shouts, " Cash! "

> > Nobody at the desk knows what to do.

> >

> > Mom looks around at all the patients†" with their canes,

> > walkers, and wheelchairs†" packed into the waiting room

> > and then again at the receptionists and shouts,

> > " What's going on? Doesn't anyone pay their bills around here?

> >

> > What do you guys make of this?

> >

> > Pamela

> >

> > Pamela Wible, MD

> > 3575 St. #220

> > Eugene, OR 97405

> >

> > www.idealmedicalcare.org

> >

> > " (S)He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope. "

> > ~ Coleridge

> >

>

>

>

> _____

>

> No virus found in this message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 2012.0.2178 / Virus Database: 2425/5030 - Release Date: 05/29/12

>

> No virus found in this message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 2012.0.2178 / Virus Database: 2425/5030 - Release Date: 05/29/12

>