Same Doctor Visit, Double The Cost

On August 26, 2012, the Wall Street Journal published a story describing a situation whereby a patient who sees a physician employed by a hospital essentially pays double out-of-pocket what they would have paid for the same exact office visit with a physician NOT employed by the hospital. I actually wrote about this situation in January 21, 2012. Beyond what the Wall Street Journal reported, what's going on? Assuming all things equal whereby a private practice physician and a ho…

8/27/2012 0

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Hospital-Based Practice Versus Physician Private Practice

The other day, an astute patient of mine asked what the difference is between a physician who works for a hospital (hospital-based practice) versus a physician run private practice. After all, a patient still sees a physician in either case... Is there an actual difference from a patient's perspective??? Assuming all things equal whereby a private practice physician and a hospital-based physician are equally competent and the supporting staff for each are both equally good (such a…

1/21/2012 0

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United Kingdom Ends $17 Billion Electronic Medical Records Initiative

The Wall Street Journal on Sept 23, 2011 reported that the United Kingdom will scrap the entire electronic medical records (EMR) initiative that has been 9 years in the making with nearly 6.4 billion pounds already spent. That action was hinted at back in August 2011 after a scathing parliamentary report stating the initiative to be wasteful and incapable of delivery. I'm not surprised... It's hard enough to get a group of doctors in one hospital to agree with a treatment plan …

9/24/2011 1

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