New West Physicians
I enjoyed the 9/28 Speakout piece by Ruth Benton, CEO of New West Physicians, in which she wrote approvingly of her favored approach to containing health care costs, a method usually called “capitation".
Now I get it.
Now I know why I can’t get an appointment at my local New West provider when I need one.
I know why the appointment I do get is at their convenience, not mine, requiring an overnight fast for the sake of blood work to be extended through the day until late afternoon. After which I’m informed that part of the blood work will need to be repeated, since some elements of my blood won’t survive an overnight stay in the New West office.
Now I know why their best piece of health advice to a guy who spends all day on his feet is to “Walk more.”
Why?
It’s simple. I’m capitated.
That means insurance pays New West a set amount to keep me on their patient rolls, whether they see me or not.
Now, Benton says New West would rather keep me healthy, than treat “maladies". How will she keep me healthy? “Walk more". Or maybe she plans to starve and bleed me healthy, by way of the multiple visits to draw blood.
Well, this carpenter would rather get paid to fix houses that don’t need any work. Any jobs like that out there? Only for doctors, apparently.
Reason with me here. Isn’t New West getting incentives to not see patients? And to add more, as long as they can avoid seeing those new ones too? All this explains that message I wade through every time I call my doctor. “If this is an emergency, call 911. If it’s Monday or Friday, good luck getting in here. You still there? Please hold.”
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I love those automated messages when you try to get a Dr's appt. or talk to someone about test results etc...
I guess they think 20 mins on the phone trying to get a live person is good service.
What really cracks me up is the message if this is an emergency , please hang up and dial 911. DUH!
What cracks me up even more is when you fill out form after form verifying the same insurance information and the part where they asked you who should they contact in case of an emergency?
I always fill in the blank with , 911 ! DUH!
Posted by Can I get an AMEN! on October 7, 2007 10:04 AMIsn't this an example of private health care & private medical insurance at its finest? How could some form of nationalized health care or a single payer health insurance provide worse patient care than Steve Baur has reported?
Posted by Mary on October 7, 2007 11:57 AMAnd on the flip side. I called my doc last week and asked for an appt. They answered the phone, no answering system. The lady asked if I wanted to come in that day.... I said no, but how about Monday. No problem. I got in at 10:30 and saw the doc by 10:45 and was out the door at 11:10 after they drew blood for some tests.
So, My experience is great in the health care system.
Posted by Dravur on October 9, 2007 01:41 PM