working with ob/ped practice

[Guest guest]

,

I work for a birth center and billing is done under the physician practice that covers the midwives. I am paid for 2 hr, set amount, for initial visits and for 1 hr for follow-up visits. Patients pay their usual co-pay to the birth center. Insurance coverage varies from what I've seen or been told and therefore the center makes varying amounts on my visits but evidently enough as I'm still there. I almost always work longer than 2 hr or 1 hr and in addition have to chart and do follow-up calls, which I always, do are on my own. I still have a private practice but it is very erratic and the money I make from the center, while rather meager compared to PP pays some bills. I also run a new mom/baby group and teach monthly prenatal classes and nothing is taken from these fees which helps defray some of the time I spend above and beyond the paid hours. If you've other questions feel free to ask but I admit I'm a lousy businesswoman so may not have all the answers. I hope to refine things but the wheels turn slowly where I am due to the powers that be; it took almost 15 yrs of being there privately (doing classes, group and the occasional birth center patients I saw privately) to finally be hired officially. I may be retired if it's another 15 yrs before I get a private space to see clients and have a few other amenities I've asked for. I love my work though so carry on and the moms are so grateful to have an LC "on staff" just like the hospital across the street!

Barbara Latterner

Are you an employee? Or is this still your private practice? do you or the docs bill insurance? private pay? Thanks for any of your thoughts on this...