In my practice I probably take care of 10% of my patients who are unable to pay for my services. If I cannot donate my time to make someone’s life better, then I need to quit now.
I think it is appalling that this individual had to wait 6 months for a visit. We do not ask for billing information when the patients make the appointment. We see all patients without respect to insurance coverage. When they are in the office and we have determined their problem, if they cannot pay, they are not given a bill but they are given a return visit so that we can make sure they get good enough to go back to work.
It has been my feeling for the past 27 years of practice that if I can make someone’s arthritis better, I can frequently get them back to work. Then the individual can get a job, then he can pay my bill. I have made the patient better and have a paying patient in my practice. A little goodwill such as this goes a lot farther than turning away the nonpaying patients.
Just one ongoing, working, busy rheumatologist comment. Today is my long day and began working at 8 AM and I will be home by 9:30 PM.
Anne MacGuire, MD
Casper, WY