Cost comparison

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So, I was chatting with a patient last evening about our Direct Care Plan, specifically the access to discount prices on lab testing.  To provide a better perspective on the cost savings, I mentioned to him that his *very* extensive lab testing from last year would cost about $325-350 total.  I was shocked when he told me that his local hospital charged him $1800 for the same panel of tests.  He then sent me a copy of his statement as proof.

Here's some math to consider:

Cost of lab testing at local hospital = $1800

Cost of an individual Direct Care Plan during the introductory period + monthly office visits ($35 copay per visit) + the same panel of lab tests =  $1770

 

 

Legislature's Doctor of the Day from Hampden Practice

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https://bangordailynews.com/community/legislatures-doctor-of-the-day-from-hampden-practice/

Excerpt:

AUGUSTA, Maine —  Doctor Jack Forbush served as Doctor of the Day on the opening day of the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.

Doctor Forbush practices at the Osteopathic Center for Family Medicine in Hampden and is also president of the Maine Osteopathic Association.

State Sen. Andre Cushing, R-Penobscot, said in a press release, “I am pleased that Dr. Forbush could join us by serving as Doctor of the Day for the opening day of the legislative session. He is a great public servant and a fine doctor.”

Deep freeze

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Hey, it's still shorts weather in Maine, right?  Well, for many parts of the country, that's not quite the case.  Although those of us with a certain "Maine-fortitue" still need to take steps to prevent frostbite, a condition which can cause significant damage to our bodies.  So, whether it's our children at the bus stop, hauling in some firewood, cleaning the roof off (BTW, always hire a professional for this) or just running out to do errands, it's crucially important that we follow our mother's advice...."put your coat and mittens on!"

A recent article by Business Insider references a helpful graph from the Personal Floatation Manufacturers Association which provides helpful information to those of us braving the winter weather

Personal Floatation Manufacturers Association:
 http://www.pfdma.org/choosing/hypothermia.aspx

Business Insider article:
http://www.businessinsider.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-frostbite-or-hypothermia-2014-1

First week of change

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Well, we are entering into the first full week of freedom.  We introduced out Direct Care Plan (DCP) on January 1st and thus far, it's become quite the buzz.  Not only have patients been chatting about it, but the professional community is as well.  Less than 24 hours after Day 1 (Day 0 was 01/01/2014, but we're not counting that day as we were all a bit preoccupied with trying to survive our first day of our New Year's Resolutions!), we received calls from the professional community about the "buzz" with our DCP.  What's this all about?  What do you mean you're not going to be taking insurance?  What a great idea...how come no one else is doing this?  Actually, there are several other physicians across the US doing the very same thing and it's about freedom!  Freedom to partner with our patients to provide high quality healthcare.  Freedom to truly "care" for out patients without the preoccupation and fear of what the next meaningless "quality measure" is going to be.  Freedom to sit and listen to our patients' stories.  Freedom to develop an individualized plan of care for their health and well-being.  Freedom to....well, be a doctor....and freedom...to be a patient.