Guest guest Posted November 22, 2002 Report Share Posted November 22, 2002 Bob Felt wrote " Prescription prices effect those who have at least temporarily committed to your services. Treatment prices are public (people ask about cost when they select a clinician). Prescription prices would be lest frequently questioned because fewer naive patients know that there are secondary costs " I think that in order to gain patient's trust it is important they know what all the costs are. I plan on putting the costs of the herbs for three categories of prescription on my web site and on my pamphlets. There are many practioners in this area, so I think aware consumers would want as much information as possible on each one, including any secondary costs. Public education, rather than legislation, might better address this issue. Regards, G Mail Plus – Powerful. Affordable. Sign up now. http://mailplus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2002 Report Share Posted November 22, 2002 , Gabrielle Mathieu <gabriellemathieu> wrote: > > I think that in order to gain patient's trust it is > important they know what all the costs are. I plan on > putting the costs of the herbs for three categories of > prescription on my web site and on my pamphlets. > bravo. if more did this, there would be no issue. I challenge everyone to do this. if your prices are fair, you should have no qualms about revealing upfront the average cost to your patients so they may make an informed decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2002 Report Share Posted November 22, 2002 , " " <@i...> wrote: > > I think that in order to gain patient's trust it is > > important they know what all the costs are. I plan on > > putting the costs of the herbs for three categories of > > prescription on my web site and on my pamphlets. > > > bravo. if more did this, there would be no issue. Please forgive me, but what is really the issue? Who is making an issue about pricing? > I challenge everyone to do this. Why? What or who puts you in the position to chanllenge anyone on how to run their business? >if your prices are fair, What or who determines fair pricing? I think this is really bordering on some form of holier than thou; self-righteousness type of attitude. Fernando Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2002 Report Share Posted November 22, 2002 , " fernando b. " <fbernall@a...> wrote: > > Please forgive me, but what is really the issue? Who is making an > issue about pricing? referring to the health field in general: patients who frequently report feeling ripped off by providers. professional organizations in other fields where medicines are being prescribed. medical ethicists. government regulators. consumer fraud organizations like the horrrible council against health fraud, etc. > > I challenge everyone to do this. Why? What or who puts you in the position to chanllenge anyone on how > to run their business? What or who determines fair pricing? I think this is really bordering > on some form of holier than thou; self-righteousness type of attitude. I am trying to provoke discussion on an important topic, not impose my will. Part of such a discussion does involve maing my current partially evolved position clear. Sorry this topic causes you discomfort; no one likes talking about ehtics, but a mature profession demands it. Challenging people to do something is meant to provoke a thoughtful response, not a personal one, but so be it. I know you do not think people should be feel free to basically pull bait and switch shemes on their patients where they advertise a low consult fee and then load a ton of products on the unsuspecting patients. Bait and switch is illegal in used car sales in some states. I would hope our ethics are a tad higher than the most despised of professions. I don't think we should criminalize anything; I think we should establish what we as profession believe are reasonable ethical standards. I have sugested several methods I perceive as a fair remedy to this situation. They range from not making pharmacy profit to fully disclosing costs to patients upfront as was suggested by Bob Felt. If someone believes these are bad ideas or has other ideas, please feel free. But I dispute that this is not an issue. It is an issue whose time is about to come and a little healthy debate in advance will prepare us to deal with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 22, 2002 Report Share Posted November 22, 2002 , " " <@i...> wrote: They range from > not making pharmacy profit to fully disclosing costs to patients upfront as was > suggested by Bob Felt. I prefer the full disclosure option myself. I usually have a talk with new patients on the phone before their first visit and I give them an estimate of their monthly and total costs. I do think we all should be free to earn money any legal way we please. As long as I believe my patients are not being tricked into spending more than they intended, I can live with myself. But it may be that this is not enough for the public. that is why I brought this up. we are outside the fold on this issue and that makes us vulnerable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 24, 2002 Report Share Posted November 24, 2002 Regarding pricing: Alot of the discussion on pricing is a response to laws that prevent MD's from profiting from pharmacy, diagnosis or PT services that they prescribe. A primary initiator in this situation is third party reimbursment, specifically Medicare. There are volumes of laws written specifically to the problem of MD's and large corps (read hospitals) raping medicare and private insurance. I have seen MD's get around this by creating " provider groups " ; very legal. Until practicionors of OM are regularly reimbursed by third parties for services, and more importantly herbs or home massage/exercise equiptment, I don't see a legal issue. I do not see us in the loop at all in the future of third party reimbursment considering current trends in; 1. increasing medical costs. 2. aging population. 3. stinking stock market(where do you think insurance cos make the real money with your premium?) 4.have you looked at your monthly premiums lately (double digit increased scheduled for the next few years.)...........but I digress or :/ Of course ethics are important, but with private people paying for services out of their own pocket, it is " buyer beware " , or " what the market will bear " . Sorry to be so cynical Mark Costello 11/22/02 11:59 PM Re: Digest Number 1205/Pricing , " " <@i...> wrote: They range from > not making pharmacy profit to fully disclosing costs to patients upfront as was > suggested by Bob Felt. I prefer the full disclosure option myself. I usually have a talk with new patients on the phone before their first visit and I give them an estimate of their monthly and total costs. I do think we all should be free to earn money any legal way we please. As long as I believe my patients are not being tricked into spending more than they intended, I can live with myself. But it may be that this is not enough for the public. that is why I brought this up. we are outside the fold on this issue and that makes us vulnerable. Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services, including board approved online continuing education. <http://www..org> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.