Does using OMM pay more?

[mtn0417]

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First of all, to say one is going into medicine for the money is stupid.

My question is, as an osteopathic physician one will have extensive training in OMM, something an M.D. really cannot offer. In this way in fields such as primary care (possibly others??) is the pay greater (or can it potentially be greater) for a D.O. who uses OMM on a patient vs. an M.D. who just provides the "normal" care. (Man that could be an advertisement for the AOA, certainly better than saying, "We care for the whole patient"). I think in an age where there are more and more drugs a helping, healing hand, could go a long way for patients.

 

[RockfordWF]

First of all, to say one is going into medicine for the money is stupid.

My question is, as an osteopathic physician one will have extensive training in OMM, something an M.D. really cannot offer. In this way in fields such as primary care (possibly others??) is the pay greater (or can it potentially be greater) for a D.O. who uses OMM on a patient vs. an M.D. who just provides the "normal" care. (Man that could be an advertisement for the AOA, certainly better than saying, "We care for the whole patient"). I think in an age where there are more and more drugs a helping, healing hand, could go a long way for patients.

Of course it can pay more. If you do all of the same things as an MD, and then add OMM and charge for it, you get more.

In addition, if the OMM treatment you do works, you will refer patients to specialists less and take care of them yourself, also providing more money.

 

[scpod]

...in fields such as primary care (possibly others??) is the pay greater (or can it potentially be greater) for a D.O. who uses OMM on a patient vs. an M.D....

The pay is always greater when you do "procedures". OMM is one of those procedures. Actually, if you get involved in ACOFP you'll find that they are constantly looking for ways to increase family practice pay. Its a lot easier in rural areas because FPs are doing colonoscopies, needle biopsies, OB, or dermatological stuff (even skin grafts) because there aren't enough specialists around to do them. (Note- training is obviously required before you do these things)

In big cities, where you don't do lots of procedures because you have lots of specialists, OMM can be a money maker. One of our local docs was part of an FP group and he was the only DO. He made lots more per year than any of the MDs because he used OMM in addition to everything the MDs did.

 

[JimT30]

Well another way to look at is, if you are basing your pay on volume, then you will make less money if you use OMM because it takes more time than a regular office visit.

Just some food for thought

(I'm not saying not to use, I think it is highly worthwhile and very beneficial to the patient)

 

[poly800rock]

i feel like every OMM procedure i've seen has been 15 minutes at most

 

[Unknown3234]

As time vs. pay, for what I've learned shadowing, it is worth it.

 

[scpod]

...if you are basing your pay on volume, then you will make less money if you use OMM because it takes more time than a regular office visit.

Not actually. People who are good at OMM can easily diagnose and treat in two to three minutes. (If it takes you longer than that to lumbar roll somebody, then you're doing it all wrong). You simply don't use treatments that take a lot of time. Some docs will limit OMM to one or two days/week. That way you can take a little longer and use a little soft tissue beforehand if you need to or inhibition that might take a while.

Keep in mind that level two COMLEX-PE requires you to do a history and physical in 14 minutes INCLUDING up to 5 minutes of OMM treatment where indicated. You get to do that 12 times in one day.

 

[ocwaveoc]

Many insurances do not cover OMM.

 

[scpod]

Many insurances do not cover OMM.

Many insurances do not cover dentistry. One of the reasons that dentists make a lot of money is that people pay a lot of cash out of pocket for those services-- not negotiated insurance rates. The same goes for chiropractic. There's a chinese herbal doctor around the corner from me that makes a killing in an all cash business. Insurance is one thing that drives physician pay way down.

 

[RockfordWF]

Many insurances do not cover OMM.

Many insurances do not cover doctor visits.

 

[ocwaveoc]

Many insurances do not cover doctor visits.

Most if not all insurances pay for most of your doctor's visit. You are responsible for your co-pay. So, it is covered. OMM is not covered at ALL by many insurances.

 

[RockfordWF]

Most if not all insurances pay for most of your doctor's visit. You are responsible for your co-pay. So, it is covered. OMM is not covered at ALL by many insurances.

It depends on how many visits, if they are in your network, etc. etc.

If you need OMM, then just get the right insurance.

In the OMM clinic I worked at, all of the various insurances people had covered it.

 

[scpod]

OMM is not covered at ALL by many insurances.

Yes, but docs know which insurance does or doesn't pay for it. That's the reason why a lot of docs will bill for a higher level office visit-- instead of using a 25 modifier and OMT code. It's also the reason why the amount of OMT performed by DOs is often understated. Studies using billing codes to determine which treatments were used by doctors during office vists have been filled with errors. The use of OMT is understated because the treatments weren't billed as OMT.

 

[Doctor]

Yes, but docs know which insurance does or doesn't pay for it. That's the reason why a lot of docs will bill for a higher level office visit-- instead of using a 25 modifier and OMT code. It's also the reason why the amount of OMT performed by DOs is often understated. Studies using billing codes to determine which treatments were used by doctors during office vists have been filled with errors. The use of OMT is understated because the treatments weren't billed as OMT.

Does anyone know which insurances do or don't reimburse for OMM? All I've found in some brief research is that Medicare does pay for OMM treatments.

 

[group_theory]

Does anyone know which insurances do or don't reimburse for OMM? All I've found in some brief research is that Medicare does pay for OMM treatments.

Depends on the local market and the demand for payment for OMM (from their customer base).

Patients who seek relief will often pay in cash ... and many OMM-only docs will be cash-only practices

there are a lot of benefits to this.

You have less overhead (with insurance, they have certain onerous rules that you must adhere or else you won't be an approved provider). Some also have lengthy paperwork requirements for billing, subject to random insurance audits. Your claims may be rejected by the insurance without reason (and often weeks after submitting) ... and payment for services can be delayed as long as 6-9 months (accounts receivable). You will also probably need a dedicated billing/coding person to file claims (or you can do it instead of seeing patients/finishing up your charts).

or you can just accept cash at time of service and treat your practice like a small business. If you offer a good or service that the patient wants, he/she will pay for it. If what you offer is not what the patient wants, he/she will go somewhere else.

 

[toothless rufus]

Keep in mind that level two COMLEX-PE requires you to do a history and physical in 14 minutes INCLUDING up to 5 minutes of OMM treatment where indicated. You get to do that 12 times in one day.

12 ties in one day! For the COMLEX-PE exam? Or do you mean if you do an OMM practice?

 

[scpod]

12 ties in one day! For the COMLEX-PE exam? Or do you mean if you do an OMM practice?

For COMLEX-PE you have 12 patients in one day. You have 14 minutes to do the H&P and treat, then 9 minutes to write a soap note. You do that 12 times, then you go home 🙂.

 

[toothless rufus]

For COMLEX-PE you have 12 patients in one day. You have 14 minutes to do the H&P and treat, then 9 minutes to write a soap note. You do that 12 times, then you go home 🙂.

Oh my...I thought (well, I never gave it much thought; just assumed, lol) that you did only one. Thanks for the heads up! Looong day! Yikes!