There is a doctor practice in town that has been finding reasons to get rid of patients they don't want. It all came out in the paper. They don't like patients who are too complicated or timeconsuming, they get rid of anyone who changes insurance, they don't take Medicaid. I had one patient who told me that she was fired from this practice, the reason given was that she was rude to the receptionist. This patient was a very nice woman, I was really surprised about that. Other reasons being given is when patients live too far away, yet we live far away and I was encouraged to sign our family up there.
Meanwhile, the practice is recruiting new patients. In fact, I had approached the head of the practice about switching our family there because I was dissatisfied with the clinic where we were going which was bought by the hospital where I work and I didn't like the way they were doing things.
Ironically, this practice in known as an all Christian practice, that was one thing I liked about them since they pray for their patients. We haven't gone there yet, but we were accepted as patients. Now I'm worried that if any one of us ends up with chronic problems, we'll get fired as well.
If doctors wont take new patients or discharge them, then tell them to go see an NP. There are plenty of NPs around in every corner of the country to treat patients. I seriously doubt that anybody has to drive more than 30 miles or so to get to an NP clinic.
Why would anyone advocate dumping a yucky patient on an NP practice? If I were an NP I would run a completely CASH business. Caring is all well and good, but providers have to eat, too.
No one is suggesting that ALL Medicaid/Medicare *OR* private insurance patients are yucky. I am specifically referring to the ones that don't show, are disrespectful, argumentative and non-compliant. Hope that clarifies.
Okey Dokey, but I still ask others who say that doctors should not have to take at least a percentage of Medicare/Medicaid patients, just where SHOULD these patients seek care?
Okey Dokey, but I still ask others who say that doctors should not have to take at least a percentage of Medicare/Medicaid patients, just where SHOULD these patients seek care?
Probably the doctor's offices who dont have bills to pay.
All I can say is "wow". Didnt know there was so much resentment out there towards medicaid patients.
Believe me I have seen my share of them, since I worked in the clinical setting for 12 years. Yes there are those who abuse the system. It is not the fault of the patients who have medicaid that it takes medicaid so long to reimburse. If these patients could pay their bill up front, they would not be on medicaid.
So from what I am reading it is a catch 22. ----- if you do and ----- if you dont.
There definently needs to be change in the system and in attitudes.
All I can say is "wow". Didnt know there was so much resentment out there towards medicaid patients.
Believe me I have seen my share of them, since I worked in the clinical setting for 12 years. Yes there are those who abuse the system. It is not the fault of the patients who have medicaid that it takes medicaid so long to reimburse. If these patients could pay their bill up front, they would not be on medicaid.
So from what I am reading it is a catch 22. ----- if you do and ----- if you dont.
There definently needs to be change in the system and in attitudes.
I honestly dont think it is resentment of the patients. Difficult patients come from everywhere, rich, poor, etc. It is part of the job. The problem is the excessive paper work amd regulations that Medicaid often requires along with not compensating properly for procedures and delaying payment for months if not a year.
Unfortunately it is just an attitude of survival, staff and companies expect to be paid on time. If anyone does feel strongly about this issue, why not volunteer a day or two a week at a free clinic?
Probably the doctor's offices who dont have bills to pay.
So, where might those be ? I guess they should dumped - period. I do hope that when we do get universal health care we wont be having this type of a discussion any longer.
Okey Dokey, but I still ask others who say that doctors should not have to take at least a percentage of Medicare/Medicaid patients, just where SHOULD these patients seek care?
Typically, low-income patients get seen at local free clinics or federally-funded community health centers.
It's interesting, because the argument you seem to be making is not that there are no places for these patients to get seen, but rather that it is too far away, too inconvenient, etc. So not only do Medicaid patients deserve free care, but they also deserve that care to be within their specified limits of convenience and availability?
Next I suppose we'll advocate that Medicaid patients get courtesy home visits from a public health nurse on a regular basis to bring them med refills and make sure they're doing okay. Oh wait, my state already does that . . . and of course the health insurance I pay for doesn't.
So, where might those be ? I guess they should dumped - period. I do hope that when we do get universal health care we wont be having this type of a discussion any longer.
See that is the problem. We can talk about ethical decisions all day long but one thing is certain if you dont pay your electric bill the power goes goodbye. Same thing with your staff. I would love to see how many posters are willing to work half of their shift or 1 entire shift a week without getting paid who are insistent that medical care should be provided for free.
I think what is frustrating to many people including myself is that we pay so much in taxes that this shouldnt be an issue. But I also dont think it is right to force any business to "lose money." Our system is horribly broke. A single payer system would likely solve many problems but there also needs to be some degree of personal accountability.
I honestly dont think it is resentment of the patients. Difficult patients come from everywhere, rich, poor, etc. It is part of the job. The problem is the excessive paper work amd regulations that Medicaid often requires along with not compensating properly for procedures and delaying payment for months if not a year.
Unfortunately it is just an attitude of survival, staff and companies expect to be paid on time. If anyone does feel strongly about this issue, why not volunteer a day or two a week at a free clinic?
I've seen clients who had the attitude that a free clinic was where they should be because they didn't have health insurance.
Some of these folks had good income. But regrettably, we've come to have a portion of the population that just can't imagine paying cash for health care.
Because I've seen enough of that -- and the corresponding attitudes that seem to go along with that idea -- that I won't volunteer at a place that doesn't have a means test. I simply won't provide free care to someone who can afford it, but chooses to spend their money elsewhere.
I've seen clients who had the attitude that a free clinic was where they should be because they didn't have health insurance.
Some of these folks had good income. But regrettably, we've come to have a portion of the population that just can't imagine paying cash for health care.
Because I've seen enough of that -- and the corresponding attitudes that seem to go along with that idea -- that I won't volunteer at a place that doesn't have a means test. I simply won't provide free care to someone who can afford it, but chooses to spend their money elsewhere.
I didnt realize that someone who has the means to pay for their healthcare could get free healthcare. I thought it always went on income. Here in my neck of the woods there is a free clinic but only those with out insurance and little to no income can partake. Also the patients who are on medicaid and who do abuse the system are locked in with a primary doctor who decides when and where they can be seen. If they choose to see someone else then they are responsible for payment. This has seem to help the problem somewhat.
There are good people on medicaid, so to lump them all into one category is not right. Someday it could be anyone of us who have to depend on help from the system and I hope when that does happen we are treatly fairly and without prejudice.
IMustBeCrazy
439 Posts
Why would anyone advocate dumping a yucky patient on an NP practice? If I were an NP I would run a completely CASH business. Caring is all well and good, but providers have to eat, too.