Opinion

A break for cash-paying patients, but she had her own "unbelievable" OB bill

LETTER — Posted March 28, 2005

Print  |   Email  |   Respond  |   Reprints  |   Like Facebook  |   Share Twitter  |   Tweet Linkedin

Regarding "Why full price for cash payers but then a break for managed care?" (Letters, March 7): I completely agree with letter writer Michael R. Cavenee, MD, of Plano, Texas, that cash patients should not pay full price.

When I began practice with my husband in 2000, I suggested he join my intended policy of giving cash patients "a break." After understanding my logic of no papers to file for the 65% to 85% return on your total bill, no denials or hassles, and sincere appreciation from your patients, he agreed to join me in the discount policy for cash patients.

The policy is as follows: If the patient is paying or charging to their credit card the total due on the day of service, a 30% discount is applied. If the patient can't pay the total due but agrees to set up a monthly payment plan, a 20% discount is given. More than 85% of our cash patients pay their bill in full at each visit. They are most appreciative of our policy.

After having this policy in place for over two years, we found ourselves on the other side of the fence -- no OB insurance, a high-risk pregnancy necessitating a perinatologist, numerous screening tests and ultimately a cesarean delivery at 31 weeks in a tertiary-level hospital. The price tag was unbelievable. It made us very happy to know we were already sensitive to the needs of patients in our situation.

I realize that some physicians are "employed" and might not have the option of making their own policy. For those who are "owner operators" and do have this option, please consider a policy for your cash patients.

Michelle J. Banning, MD, Danville, Ark.

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/03/28/edlt0328.htm.

Back to top


ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISE HERE


Featured
Read story

Confronting bias against obese patients

Medical educators are starting to raise awareness about how weight-related stigma can impair patient-physician communication and the treatment of obesity. Read story


Read story

Goodbye

American Medical News is ceasing publication after 55 years of serving physicians by keeping them informed of their rapidly changing profession. Read story


Read story

Policing medical practice employees after work

Doctors can try to regulate staff actions outside the office, but they must watch what they try to stamp out and how they do it. Read story


Read story

Diabetes prevention: Set on a course for lifestyle change

The YMCA's evidence-based program is helping prediabetic patients eat right, get active and lose weight. Read story


Read story

Medicaid's muddled preventive care picture

The health system reform law promises no-cost coverage of a lengthy list of screenings and other prevention services, but some beneficiaries still might miss out. Read story


Read story

How to get tax breaks for your medical practice

Federal, state and local governments offer doctors incentives because practices are recognized as economic engines. But physicians must know how and where to find them. Read story


Read story

Advance pay ACOs: A down payment on Medicare's future

Accountable care organizations that pay doctors up-front bring practice improvements, but it's unclear yet if program actuaries will see a return on investment. Read story


Read story

Physician liability: Your team, your legal risk

When health care team members drop the ball, it's often doctors who end up in court. How can physicians improve such care and avoid risks? Read story

  • Stay informed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • LinkedIn