Would you refer to a cash pay podiatrist?

[Creflo]

I am a podiatrist and have opted out of Medicare and file no insurance. I have a steady patient base after being in practice for 7 years, have hospital privileges, military podiatry experience, and a well equipped office. I charge medicare allowable rates, and give an invoice to commercial insurance patients to self file. If I were to come by and introduce myself and leave cards, saying I can see your patients quickly (same day), and on weekends, would you refer, or just blow me off because I don't take insurance? Appreciate any feedback.

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[RustedFox]

Methamphetamine county Florida here.
Answer: No.

 

[Janders]

Sure, but I would tell the patient your deal and I’m not sure how many would go?

 

[EctopicFetus]

Sure, but I would tell the patient your deal and I’m not sure how many would go?

Depends on options. A podiatrist is valuable. We have one at my main site. He is done helping with all the self pay types. I am sure i would refer patients to him in clinic though as ortho doesnt want to be helpful .

 

[JacobMcCandles]

Sure but I refer so few patients to podiatry and it’s not very often that I’d forget. But, most of the ER patients wouldn’t follow up. I can’t really think of a podiatry patient that would need to be seen same day. Also, I don’t think stopping by a busy ED would be the most fruitful. I’d smile and nod but would probably toss your stuff in the trash. There’s already too much clutter and unnecessary stuff sitting around the doc charting area.

 

[Emapp20177]

If you already have a steady clinic, why even bother?

The ED population typically cannot self pay.

Especially feet patients.

 

[valianteffort]

If you already have a steady clinic, why even bother?

The ED population typically cannot self pay.

Especially feet patients.

Agree. The probability of being able to self pay is highest with all 10 toe patients, then decreases exponentially in patients with less and less toes.

 

[thegenius]

If you already have a steady clinic, why even bother?

The ED population typically cannot self pay.

Especially feet patients.

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I wouldn't throw away your business cards. But the patients I give them to might. If your sheet of paper had actual rates you charged that would be interesting.

 

[Rendar5]

I would. I would also refer to on call ortho as a backup in case you were cost prohibitive

 

[WhatJobDoIPick]

I am a podiatrist and have opted out of Medicare and file no insurance. I have a steady patient base after being in practice for 7 years, have hospital privileges, military podiatry experience, and a well equipped office. I charge medicare allowable rates, and give an invoice to commercial insurance patients to self file. If I were to come by and introduce myself and leave cards, saying I can see your patients quickly (same day), and on weekends, would you refer, or just blow me off because I don't take insurance? Appreciate any feedback.

A patient asked me to clip his toenails the other day. So, yes, yes I would.

 

[Groove]

I don't think you would want our patients. The insured would definitely not be interested because they want to file it with their insurance and minimize costs. The uninsured don't want to pay anything. They would rather get whatever care they can get in the ER with no intention of paying the ER bill and definitely would not pay you something up front for podiatry services. That's the reality we live in. That being said, I would have no problem referring to you as an ER doc, I just don't think you'd get much business.

 

[ERMudPhud]

I have and would again. Even referred a friend with an ingrown toenail to one. She was very happy with the care and the bill. Cost her less than she spends at the hair salon. We used to keep a little stack of cards for the cash podiatrists in a drawer at the doc desk. I even went to one once for a steroid injection into my big toe. Many hospitals don't have a podiatrist on the call roster so you just have to tell the patient, "Find yourself a podiatrist". Both of my hospitals now have podiatrists on site so less of an issue. Plenty of working class patients( or ED docs for that matter) either have no insurance or deductibles of 15k. A cash podiatrist who doesn't charge crazy rates is just what they are looking for.

 

[Emapp20177]

Plenty of working class patients( or ED docs for that matter) either have no insurance or deductibles of 15k.

Hits close to home. Open market insurance is such garbage. I would gladly go to a self pay clinic. Insurance is basically only useful if some catastrophe occurs.

 

[RustedFox]

Hits close to home. Open market insurance is such garbage. I would gladly go to a self pay clinic. Insurance is basically only useful if some catastrophe occurs.

If the incoming administration wants a resounding, popular "win" - they MUST address this and related items.