$25 for uri/conjuct ? ... Re: Re: Will Medicare or other insurances accept lower charges for privates?

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I believe it's worth more if I'm doing the appt because I will actually consider the

whole patient and explain issues/treatments/comfort measures, prevention

possibilities, check on other issues like what happened with a prior problem, check

if other prescriptions needed, ask when's pt ready to quit smoking, etc, etc.If however the appt is like those done in some over-whelmed offices and the

doc is seeing the patient for less than 4 mins and only glancing at the patient

beyond the mild uri/conjuctivitis, sure, maybe that should be $25.Unfortunately, if we both put 99213 code on the bill, we both get the exact same

re-imbursement. (yes, Larry, I used that just for you!! ;-)Tim > On Tue, October 30, 2007 7:47 pm EDT,

rodger_hamer wrote:> > > I

believe many subspecialists that you might sublet space from would> object

to low income or indigent sitting in their waiting rooms even> if those are

the people who need attention. Nobody is discussing> catering to those at

the lower tiers or just those who have no> insurance. If I am charging some

visits at a nice affordable $25 say> for the quick conjunctivitis or uri,

(and does anybody believe that> visit is worth much more?) and another

visit $50 because it is more> complicated, or have a sliding scale to

account for economic need, the> people in my practice might not be

considered desirable in a waiting> room in a snobby practice.>

Rodger> > > > >> >

Rodger,> >> > Why would the specialist object to you seeing

people who need you?> You mean> > the type of clientele coming

into the office? I would hope not. I> guess he> > wouldn't be

looking for referrals.> >> >> >> >

The basic rule is you can't change insurance more than you charge anyone>

> else. So if you charge $20 for a 99213, that must be the fee you>

submit to> > insurance companies too and don't expect higher payment. If you> opt out,> > then it doesn't matter because everyone

will be paying you out of> pocket.> > The biggest problem I see

with trying to provide care to the> uninsured is> > they feel,

" No insurance=no medical care " . They just don't even come in>

> because they will have to pay. They don't bother to find out if> they

can> > afford it. Then there is also the challenge of finding

medications> they can> > afford, lab work that may be required

or other testing and what if> they need> > someone other than

you to manage a disease. Your prices are never> dictated> > by

anyone, just what you get paid.> >> >> >> >> >> > Kathy Saradarian, MD> >> > Branchville, NJ> >> >

www.qualityfamilypractice.com> >> > Solo 4/03, Practicing

since 9/90> >> > Practice Partner 5/03> >> > Low staffing> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> >> From:

> >

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of rodger_hamer>

> Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007 6:24 PM> > To:

> > Subject:

Will Medicare or other insurances accept> > lower charges for

privates?> >> >> >> > I want to

build a significant part of my practice catering to those> > without

insurance or underinsured. To encourage them to come I have to> > set

low prices (and take medicaid?) Will my prices be dictated by> > other

insurances? Do I need to opt out of them to accomplish my other> >

goals?> > If I am subletting a small space with a specialist, I would

think> > he may object to me seeing those who need me? Anybody have

any> > experience with these questions?> >> > > > > >