https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 28 May 2026 17:14:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618582 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:55:39 +0000 looch 1618582@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I kind of think it makes sense from a business perspective. Doctors only have a small amount of time to devote to patient care and they want to make sure they're serving the people that need them the most (in theory).</p> <p>What makes me uncomfortable about the practice is that it is only available to someone that can afford the yearly fee. If you are wealthy and sick, fine, but if you are poor and sick, then you're out of luck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618573 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:53:33 +0000 mrsjazz 1618573@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. I wouldn't. I like the idea of fewer patients, less wait times, but um, no. Maybe if I LOVED my doctor and s/he was the best in the field or something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618559 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:51:00 +0000 MrsSCB 1618559@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My mom's doctor is doing this. I don't think it's connected to the ACA for him, though. He's super popular and wanting to slow down a bit to devote more time to research and other projects. So he's taking on a smaller number of clients with a similar yearly fee. My mom isn't doing it. She likes one of the other doctors in the practice so she's just going to see her all the time now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618537 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:46:18 +0000 Bookish 1618537@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It wouldn't be worth it for us. Our pediatrician's office is great about giving us same-day appointments, has a 24 hour nurse line, and I never wait more than 15 mins (and that's rare) to be seen. To pay that much on top of premiums and copays would just not be feasible for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618516 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:40:50 +0000 MaryM 1618516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My PCP sent a similar letter a couple years ago. I did not choose to participate.</p> <p>But I also rarely go there. I go to my ENT a lot more often because I mostly get sick with sinus infections. On the rare occasion I go to my PCP, I've still been able to get in with no problem, so you might just wait and see how this "plan" is accepted at the practice and whether or not it impacts your coverage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618490 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:31:06 +0000 Cole 1618490@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it isn't worth it and while I didn't check her website it doesn't sound like she is offering enough to make it worthwhile. But, if I or a family member had a chronic issue, the doctor offered longer appointments and actually ran on time, email and phone consultations and home visits we would consider it. </p> <p>I nannied for a family who was looking for this type of doctor, they work crazy long hours and sitting in a doctor's office for two hours for every baby rash, eat infection etc. was difficult and meant they needed me to take the kids instead. They hated not being there but it wasn't feasible for them to waste so much time when the doctor is only in the room ten minutes max.</p> <p>If I had the money I might consider paying a large fee for a pediatrician who promises to have you seen by the doctor within ten minutes of arrival if you're on time. The wait times here are ludicrous. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618448 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:21:21 +0000 blackbird 1618448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This would not work for us, but I can see how it is important and valuable for others. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618410 Wed, 07 May 2014 09:12:08 +0000 spaniellove 1618410@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I don't see why I'd pay more for this...I get the same thing with my specialists. I can call anytime and a nurse will talk to the doctor right away and call me back or get me in ASAP if it's urgent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618331 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:53:38 +0000 oliviaoblivia 1618331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My dad uses a concierge physician. He has a number of complicated medical conditions and his doctor consults with all of his different specialists and develops a treatment plan that works. His doc will take calls 24 hours, texts results, arranges for special care if my dad gets sick out of town.</p> <p>It's actually a really valuable service for him. I wouldn't do it for myself because I don't have any health issues now but down the road I'd consider it if something came up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618228 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:18:35 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1618228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LemonLong: @Silva: maybe it's not. I'm drawing the changes she is making to ACA due to the timing of these changes and her first Q&amp;A of her a website FAQ. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618223 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:16:29 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 1618223@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would find another doctor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618217 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:15:19 +0000 mrbee 1618217@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: we do but the doctor's not always available. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618213 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:13:56 +0000 Silva 1618213@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just read about this in our state, because I hadn't heard of it before. It isn't something I'd do, but it was interesting to learn that here its mostly older patients who choose this kind of service. They have several health issues, and want lengthy sessions with their Doc to talk about preventative practices. Doctors in private practice typically get paid "fee for service" so they are going to make the same amount if they meet with you to chat about your diet for 15 minutes or if they meet with you for an hour. This, coupled with low reimbursement rates from medicaid, means they have to book more patients than is preferable in order to make ends meet. Its an unfortunate consequence of the structure of our healthcare system / insurance reimbursement. Its why specialists make so much more money than primary care physicians, and why there is a shortage of primary care physicians (they all have the same student loan debt, and PCP docs work longer hours!).<br /> The article I read talked with two doctors in our state who practice in this way, and offer home visits as part of the package, which is appealing to older patients (and parents of babies with health issues).</p> <p>Honestly, its just another example of how broken our health care system is, and how desperately we need some changes.</p> <p>My husband is going into primary care (pediatrics) and we are often frustrated by his options- significantly less pay than specialists, for longer hours and more call. I heard an NPR story yesterday about places where "free surgery" clinics are being opened for under/un-insured people to help address issues before they end up in the ED. So doctors are being asked to volunteer their time on Sundays to perform free surgeries so that the hospitals don't have to take on the costs when people end up in the ED with issues that could have been more easily/cheaply addressed months ago. I would be seriously pissed if someone asked me to do my job for free. I mean, its wonderful that some people are willing to do it....but what a broken system!</p> <p>ETA: the article I read was pre- ACA. I'm not sure how the ACA impacts this? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618211 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:13:50 +0000 LemonLong 1618211@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How does this relate to the ACA? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618205 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:12:56 +0000 swurlygurl 1618205@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not - we hardly ever go to the Dr (yet... we'll see where more kids get us, and how they age... haha), and all the offices we use aren't too crowded as it is, I've never had a problem when/if I needed to get an appointment </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618202 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:12:35 +0000 Mae 1618202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. We have a ton of options for great doctors here. I've never had an issue getting an appointment for anything. </p> <p>And our new ped sounds awesome. 24/7 nurse line access and advice, you can email the docs, same day appointments available 6 days/week... &lt;3 them. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618193 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:07:00 +0000 Mamaof2 1618193@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Do you not get phone consults with your Ped? We have a nurses line that I call ALL THE TIME for free! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618190 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:05:51 +0000 looch 1618190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: That's interesting, I hadn't thought about a Skype consult...that could be useful for things like a skin rash!</p> <p>We have access to a portal at our ped's office, it costs an additional $40 per year, with email access to peds and online form filling. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618189 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:05:51 +0000 FliegepilzHut 1618189@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Absolutely not. I thought concierge/"boutique" practices usually operated without accepting insurance! It sounds like you would just be paying for a somewhat exclusive relationship with this provider and a "fast-track" to care, which under most circumstances, you wouldn't need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618187 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:05:07 +0000 yoursilverlining 1618187@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>See fewer patients and charge an additional fee to do so? Sounds more like a work/life balance and profit move than anything to do with the ACA. </p> <p>I would not pay extra to see my doctor, on top of what I pay for insurance, but there are tons of great doctors around here. If I lived somewhere with fewer quality doctors to pick from, I might entertain something like this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618184 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:04:08 +0000 mrbee 1618184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I figured that stuff like telephone appointments and Skype consults might also be covered? I'd be interested in paying a flat rate for more access. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618182 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:02:28 +0000 sunny 1618182@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. We already are able to get same day appointments at my doctors and pediatricians offices with another member of the same practice. I would love to get our regular doctor but I wouldn't pay an extra fee for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618181 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:02:17 +0000 Mamaof2 1618181@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: then no way! I would find a new doctor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618179 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:02:09 +0000 spaniellove 1618179@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Yeah I wouldn't be interested in a doctor who blatantly treats wealthier patients as a priority. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618177 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:00:32 +0000 LBee 1618177@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I would definitely not do it then. Going to the doc in the box every time I got sick would be cheaper! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618176 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:00:18 +0000 MamaMoose 1618176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope. We already get excellent care and timely appointments/services from our doctors and my child's pediatrician. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618175 Wed, 07 May 2014 08:00:14 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1618175@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: I just read her website again and looks like she will treat kids too. </p> <p>Insurance + annual fee+ fee for service care too $$$</p> <p>If anyone wants to take a look:<br /> <a href="http://www.signaturemd.com/morris/" rel="nofollow">http://www.signaturemd.com/morris/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618172 Wed, 07 May 2014 07:57:16 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1618172@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mediagirl: you still have insurance and physicals and labs will still be billed as usual. The fee is extra.</p> <p> @spaniellove: yep, next week she's hosting two info sessions at a posh hotel. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618169 Wed, 07 May 2014 07:54:13 +0000 Mamaof2 1618169@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No!</p> <p>Both me and my kids can usually get same day sick appts and when I have needed outpatient care it happens within 5 days - doesn't seem worth it to me!</p> <p>Is this in addition to your insurance or is this for people w/o insurance? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/aca-doctor-changes-practice#post-1618166 Wed, 07 May 2014 07:51:13 +0000 mediagirl 1618166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: so you don't have to have insurance and can pay your doctor $1650/year to see her whenever you need? </p>