First of all, allow me to reintroduce myself:
I am not an insurance agent. I repeat, I am not an insurance agent. My wife and I do own an insurance agency. My wife is the licensed agent. I am in the medical field at prominent hospital in the state of Texas. My wife has a great enthusiasm for the field of insurance that it has spilled over on me. And because of this, I am able to relate her experience as an agent to my experience as a healthcare provider.
I notice something about everyday at the hospital and how it applies to the insurance profession. Sometimes, I dream of doing what my wife does. I don't feel I would be as good as she, but it is something that I think about from time to time. But back to my insight for today, "Is there really such a thing as a VIP patient?" Let me say that again, "Is there such a thing as a very important patient"? That still doesn't sound right. In the past two weeks, I have heard this phrase used from a doctor and also a hospital administrator. It's very alarming to me because I have been in the healthcare field for over 17 years (over 9 years in the Navy as a corpsman), and have never heard this mentioned before. Of course in the Navy, if a Captain is onboard for a procedure, everyone treats that patient different. This is mainly due to the great amount of respect for that officer's position.
I have recently witnessed a doctor gushing over a patient only because of that patient's financial position. I have a problem when there is a distinct variance in treatment because of the financial status of a patient. Is a wealthy person's life more valuable than that of a homeless person? I think not, but sadly that is what I am witnessing as of late. As stated in one of my earlier posts, I have seen doctors reluctantly and in some cases, even refuse to treat a patient because of that person's inability to pay.
It is wise to get health insurance. Most physicians are professional and do what is in the best interest of all patients. But you do have a few that see "stars" when they view one patient more important than another one. Some doctors know the billing codes better than the person doing the actual billing. Why is that? Because the sad reality is that is "all about the dollar".
Greetings:
I ran across an article today, even though I found it interesting, I feel it's quite sad. I can tell you first hand from my experience in the healthcare field, the medical sector has changed quite a bit. I knew when I first started in healthcare, that is was a business. But taking care of patients was still the first priority. Of course, we had to bill for services (we had to earn a living too, right?) But now, the hospitals are becoming pretty bold with its business-oriented style and leadership.
Unfortunately, this has trickled down into the patient care area. I have witnessed, doctors refusing or reluctance to treat patients that do not have "good insurance". This is pretty sad, in deed. But these are the times that we are in, now. I heard in years past (before my time) doctors would come to your home if you were ill (housecalls, I think was the term that it was referred as). That time has passed and is probably not coming back.
Some doctors now use the excuse that the patient is too big of a risk for his or her every rising malpractice insurance. I worked at a small urgent care clinic and I was told that the doctor refused to treat an elderly patient because he did not accept Medicare. With the recent EMTALA laws, I did not think that physician could do this (isn't there something called a hypocritical, I mean Hippocratic oath?). According to this law, a healthcare professional can refuse to provide medical services, but first must make sure that the patient is stabilized for transport to another medical facility.
I know it is very difficult for our senior community with limited income, but options are limited to: trying to locate a facility that will take medicare, refusing to seek medical care because of the inability to pay ( I have seen this many times), or trying to purchase a Medicare supplement policy. I realize it's difficult, but unfortunately the options are limited.
Oh, I almost forgot... here is the article that got me going.
http://www.gethealthyharlem.org/links/finding-doctor-who-accepts-medicare
Rico Henderson is the owner Henderson Insurance Agency, providing Medicare Supplement and Health Insurance and Affordable Texas Auto Insurance. To learn more, visit his site at All-AboutInsurance.net.
Henderson Insurance Agency
3960 Broadway Blvd., Ste 111
Garland, TX 75043
972-840-0700
spehenderson@HendersonInsuranceNow.com
I ran across an article today, even though I found it interesting, I feel it's quite sad. I can tell you first hand from my experience in the healthcare field, the medical sector has changed quite a bit. I knew when I first started in healthcare, that is was a business. But taking care of patients was still the first priority. Of course, we had to bill for services (we had to earn a living too, right?) But now, the hospitals are becoming pretty bold with its business-oriented style and leadership.
Unfortunately, this has trickled down into the patient care area. I have witnessed, doctors refusing or reluctance to treat patients that do not have "good insurance". This is pretty sad, in deed. But these are the times that we are in, now. I heard in years past (before my time) doctors would come to your home if you were ill (housecalls, I think was the term that it was referred as). That time has passed and is probably not coming back.
Some doctors now use the excuse that the patient is too big of a risk for his or her every rising malpractice insurance. I worked at a small urgent care clinic and I was told that the doctor refused to treat an elderly patient because he did not accept Medicare. With the recent EMTALA laws, I did not think that physician could do this (isn't there something called a hypocritical, I mean Hippocratic oath?). According to this law, a healthcare professional can refuse to provide medical services, but first must make sure that the patient is stabilized for transport to another medical facility.
I know it is very difficult for our senior community with limited income, but options are limited to: trying to locate a facility that will take medicare, refusing to seek medical care because of the inability to pay ( I have seen this many times), or trying to purchase a Medicare supplement policy. I realize it's difficult, but unfortunately the options are limited.
Oh, I almost forgot... here is the article that got me going.
http://www.gethealthyharlem.org/links/finding-doctor-who-accepts-medicare
Rico Henderson is the owner Henderson Insurance Agency, providing Medicare Supplement and Health Insurance and Affordable Texas Auto Insurance. To learn more, visit his site at All-AboutInsurance.net.
Henderson Insurance Agency
3960 Broadway Blvd., Ste 111
Garland, TX 75043
972-840-0700
spehenderson@HendersonInsuranceNow.com