DO DOCTORS NEED PERMISSION TO THRIVE?
Let's empower physicians on this Doctor's Day
Since 1933, March 30 has been set aside to honor doctors. This annual observance is aimed at appreciating the dedication and work done by physicians.
One of the most humbling experiences in medicine is when a person entrusts their care to you. It can seem daunting at times. However, something as simple as the kind words of a patient or their family can remind us of why we went into medicine.
SO THANK YOU TO MY PATIENTS WHO GIVE ME THIS PRIVILEGE!
So Doctors, let me ask you to think back —
WHY DID YOU GO INTO MEDICINE?
I gather for most of us, it’s a combination of things.
The Science. The Challenge. A Noble Profession With Financial Security.
BUT MOST OF ALL…
THE ABILITY TO HELP ANOTHER PERSON – YOUR PATIENT!
Back in the day, you could go to your doctor’s office…or sometimes they could come to you. They knew you by name, they would see you around town, and they would ask how you were doing.
That’s the kind of doctor many of us remember growing up with, and that’s the kind of doctor we all wanted to be.
We were well prepared for the clinical aspects of medicine.
There was a path, there was a pedagogy, there was a hierarchy.
It was SEE ONE, DO ONE, TEACH ONE,
Then, we were getting ready to practice.
DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT WE WERE TOLD?
-You have to get on insurance plans and networks otherwise patients can’t see you
-You have to sign the contract or else you won’t get paid
–Open your office and just concentrate on practicing medicine
-Don’t worry about the business, just hire someone and let them take care of that
We did our thing and continued to practice and focus on clinical medicine.
BUT the BUSINESS of medicine grew around us and changed.
Over time, these things caused the Doctor-Patient Relationship to look like THIS…
WHAT HAPPENED???
In short, when you sign insurance contracts, you allow other players to enter the exam room. Not only that, you grant them authority over how you run your business and practice medicine.
Want proof? Check out these articles:
Docs Say Prior Authorizations Negatively Impact Outcomes
Major Insurers Running Billions of Dollars Behind on Payments to Hospitals and Doctors
Medical Economics: What's ruining medicine for physicians
Doctors are innately problem solvers, and many of us looking for a way to fix things.
The best way? Treat the cause not just the symptom.
GET RID OF THE THIRD PARTY
Patients are treated by doctors, not insurance. Patients CAN go to Doctors directly and Doctors CAN treat patients directly.
When this happens, doctors can do their job and do it better without the interference. Patients get better care.
It becomes affordable, because there are no other players in the mix. It responds to the free market by being accessible, affordable and available.
And most importantly The Doctor-Patient relationship is respected and restored.
Let’s empower physicians and remind them they don’t need permission to practice medicine from a third party.
Now THAT would be a HAPPY National Doctor’s Day!
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