Quote:
Originally Posted by Tommy
True for doctors as well as other health care providers. Other than the waiting room time thing, I evaluate doctors the same way I evaluate auto mechanics. I can't always tell on the first visit, but over time it becomes obvious whether or not their skills match their fee schedule.
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The flaw with some of your logic is that the fee schedule is basically the same for all doctors, the fee schedule as set by medicare and followed by most insurance carriers. So unless you plan to see a doctor out of network, there really is no difference in the fee schedule between doctors. The difference lies in your insurance plan, your deductable and copays and number of in-network doctors. Few patients will pay for out of network doctors. The main exception being patients with only VA medical insurance.
The other issue concerns services provided by PA's and NP's. Your co-pay will be the same whether you see the doctor or his assistant all the time, most of the time. Patients can/often feel like they're getting ripped off having to pay their $40 co-pays only to seee the PA or NP. Often they feel they should get a discount on their co-pay accordingly. Unfortunately, that won't happen.