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The economy is in the dumps.
At Medtuity, we get paid on a turnstile basis-- per new patient encounter. We have lots of urgent cares. We've noted a decrease in their patient volume. A manager of one group just called me and his remark was, "If they have a co-pay, money is so tight, they don't want to pay it.", referring to his typical client. That group is very successful, but still has had to make staffing changes.
The good news for them is that they are also paying Medtuity less.
Anyone seen a similar phenomenon?
this happens when you charge per "visit" if money is tight, they simply wont create an encounter.
What do you mean? That they have their usual flow of patients and they are appending former visits rather than creating a new encounter? Or that the economy might be bad enough that fewer patients are seeking medical care?
A practice that previously used NextGen just called to buy more credits. I'll bet they are pleased they aren't paying 20% of their $105,000 price tag in maintenance fees.....but then again, maybe they aren't feeling the downturn......I should have asked.
From a personal stand point, I see less patients seeking medical care. Whether thats because they have lost their insurance, or are just saving the co-pay, I cant say. For example, I scheduled an appointmepy 4th nt with my PCP for a follow up. In the past, this was a 3-4 week wait. When I called on Monday, they asked me when I wanted to come in and what time!!
I have also noticed, in the Urgent Care setting, less patients seeking care. However, I have a friend who is an NP at at MinuteCLinic type place(in walgreens or cvs) and they have seen an increase patients. My guess is the set price of 50.00 per visit. Pretty reasonable if you dont have insurance or a lot of cash! Urgent Care visits are easily in the 100 dollar range.
Happy 4th!
In my building, there are a lot more parking spaces in the morning as compared to last year.
I've seen a drop in patients of about 25%, but mostly due to stricter billing rules that I"ve implimented 3 months ago. I'm now forcing patients to pay up front, to close a balance due within 6 weeks (else go to collections), as well as to pay for last-minute cancellations ($35), and I don't accept Medicaid. In these 3 months I may be seeing slightly less patients, but I've earned an extra $40000.00. Life is sweet!
Al
Al Borges, M.D.
$37,000 per person in the US --- tougher times ahead.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/MOUNTAIN-OF-DEBT-Rising-debt-apf-140105975.html?x=0&sec=topStories