What happens when doctors have to game the system?

Guest blogger for Dr Val Jones' Better Health and family physician Alan Dappen MD has written a couple of insightful posts about how physicians have to contort their behavior in order to survive financially our US health-system-on-life-support environment:

The Huddle

The Funnel

While these observations address life in the trenches of a primary care physician (recognize yourself?), it's also an accurate portrayal of how our specialists have to function.

What games are you and your colleagues being forced to play?

Comments

[egordon]

In a specialist office similar plays are being run. Come in for a minor problem and it will be treated but you will have to come back for follou up. Want to come next Tuesday, oops that's still within your global period. Better come back next Friday. Or, how's this play. Having surgery this Friday and need a waliking boot to wear after surgery, no problem you can take it home with you from the surgery center. Oops, that's part of the surgical fee for that day. You need to come to the office the day before surgery to pick it up and bring it with you to the surgery center. Much better, no longer part of the surgery billing.

Just a few examples of plays being run by specialist office. This is so much fun!

[Philippa Kennealy]

Of course, that pesky global fee -- the bane of a surgeon or specialist's life! Thanks for reminding us Elayne. Next post needs to be The Games Surgeons Play.