Billing Patients Twice

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This has nothing to do with Direct Primary Care….or does it? The media is starting to notice that many primary care offices are billing patients twice if they dare to mention another symptom during a wellness check. You can read about it here but also see the image above (Source: Kimberly Chapman MD)

Here is a quote from our “friends” at the AAFP:

“Primary care offices may post signs about separate billing to alert patients that bringing up additional symptoms or issues during a visit may result in more cost-sharing, which the patient may not be anticipating,” the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) said in a statement provided to MedPage Today in an email. “This is not a new practice for physician offices.”

“For example, when a patient has an annual wellness visit or physical, and the physician addresses something else, the physician would bill for an office visit in addition to the physical,” AAFP added. “Cost-sharing is waived for the preventive service, but the patient may have a charge for the office visit.”

Maybe the AAFP should have added this to their quote:

Patients can have a better experience by joining a Direct Primary Care practice. They would know the exact cost each month, can ask as many questions as they want, get 90% off their labs, get any labs their doctor deem necessary, spend more time with their doctor, be seen as often as needed, have free procedures in the office, and truly be happy with their care.

Obviously, that will never happen. We all know how hard it is for some organizations to dislodge themselves from the teet of the government or the insurance companies or Big Pharma.

This does not mean you cannot use this article to promote your practice. Put it on social media and discuss it. Send it to your local paper or call a journalist and tell them how you are different. Strike while the iron is hot!

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About Douglas Farrago, MD

Dr. Farrago is a retired family physician based in Forest, Virginia. Since 2021, he has run DPCnews.com, a leading resource for the Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement. He is the author of three best-selling books on Direct Primary Care: The Official Guide to Starting Your Own Direct Primary Care Practice The Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Daily Motivational Journal Slowing the Churn in Direct Primary Care (While Also Keeping Your Sanity) In 2016, Dr. Farrago conceived the idea for the Direct Primary Care Alliance and co-founded the organization alongside other pioneering DPC physicians. He is widely recognized as a leading expert in the DPC model and frequently lectures to medical students, residents, and practicing physicians on how to successfully start and run their own DPC practices.Dr. Farrago sold his Direct Primary Care practice in October 2020 but continues to receive care there as a patient.