Posted by: AtlasMD

November 12, 2013

Sean Hannity Demands More Atlas MD

Dr. Josh was invited to speak with Sean Hannity (again) just a few days ago. We don’t want to humblebrag since it’s poor online form, so we’ll be direct–we’re honored to be brought onto the popular show. And we’re blessed to have the chance to tell America, there are alternatives to overpriced health insurance. Thank you, Sean Hannity.

Hannity asked if we’ll go into the insurance exchange. Our answer is no. It’s another form of red tape. It’s not adding anything. It’s actually slowing our nation down. However, if it can make catastrophic insurance more affordable, that’s a fantastic side effect.

Hannity also asked if fee for service docs are accepting insurance from the exchange. All we’ve heard is a resounding no. After 6 national conferences, everyone is worried about participating. Docs are looking for a way around these plans that might short them more than existing ones.

Think about this. Isn’t it a sick irony when our administration spends a billion some-odd dollars to “help” people in need, when the problem was all kinds of red tape making the product more expensive than it needs to be.

Posted by: AtlasMD

November 8, 2013

There’s More Than One Way To Cut The Red Tape

Have you heard of Palmetto Proactive Healthcare?

They are an urgent care-type of cash-only practice. They charge cash for individual services but also offer an inclusive package for $60/month.

They’ve taken the red tape cutting to a new level. They’re offering a “Pay Penalty Promotion” for the next 30 people who sign up for a membership. What that means is that they will pay the $95 tax penalty assigned to people who ignore the ACA mandate.

Not bad, Palmetto. Not bad.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THEIR PROMOTION HERE

Posted by: AtlasMD

November 7, 2013

The Latest Way Insurance Companies Are Trying To Pay Practices Less

The Latest Way Insurance Companies Are Trying To Pay Practices Less

Okay, so this is a departure from our red tape world. It looks like fee-for-service practices are noticing a new trend in payments from insurance companies and payers – they are actually paying for services rendered with credit cards or virtual credit cards.

A virtual credit card? Is that a real thing?
Yes it is. According to wiseGeek.com, “A virtual credit card, also known as a throwaway or temporary credit card, is a disposable payment card used for one-time purchases. It consists of a single-use credit card number generated by the credit card issuer. In most cases, virtual credit card numbers can only be used once, and will expire after about a month if not used.”

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

November 6, 2013

Feds Modify FSA Use-It-or-Lose-It-Rule

Health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are about get a bit more flexible. New federal guidance is to permit employers to let workers carry over unused amounts of up to $500 for expenses in the next year while still contributing up to $2,500 a year.

As you know, FSAs are voluntary account-based plans that help millions of Americans use pretax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses like prescription drugs, co-pays, and vision and dental costs. Unfortunately, you can’t yet use these pre-tax dollars at a “cash-only” clinic. That said, this is still positive health care news and definitely worth sharing.

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Posted by: AtlasMD

November 6, 2013

ACA Hysteria: Don’t Believe All The Hype (But Worry Nonetheless)

ACA Hysteria: Don’t Believe All The Hype (But Worry Nonetheless)

Michael Hiltzik from The Los Angeles Times wrote last week, “Obamacare’s critics are going to town on the cancellation letters millions of Americans are receiving from their health insurers…” This of course because of “healthcare reform” mandating that insurance plans meet certain requirements or be dissolved come Jan. 1.

Being as the President himself assured everyone that if they liked their insurance they’d be able to keep it, there’s obvious cause for alarm. Evidently, some people are especially bummed that they won’t get to keep their health plans that cost as little as $50 a month. Great price, right?

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Posted by: AtlasMD

November 5, 2013

NEW UPDATE: Atlas.md EMR Improves Search Features And More

Great news for those docs trying out Atlas.md beta. We’ve rolled out another software update. The best part about browser-based software is that you actually don’t have to update anything. Just open up Atlas.md as usual and enjoy these improvements:

Patient-Only Searches
Now you can search for what you need within a patient’s record. Find prescribed drugs, diagnoses, etc. without leaving the file. Look for new options at the bottom of the search bar: one lets you search globally and the other restricts search to the current patient record.

Now you can search inside a patient’s file or globally.

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

November 5, 2013

LISTEN: Atlas MD Podcast, Ep. 11

LISTEN: Atlas MD Podcast, Ep. 11

You can stream the next session of our Atlas MD podcast on iTunes. First off, congratulations to new members of the direct primary care community. Anne Riggs in Pratt City has opened her own direct primary care clinic. And Dr. Laurie in New Hampshire will be converting to a cash-only model come the first of the year.

We’ve been on what we’ve jokingly referred to as a “World Tour” and this Saturday we’ll be speaking at The Physicians’ Summit in Dallas. If it’s like any of our recent engagements, we’ll expect a “mob” of doctors and industry folks to bombard us with questions about our direct care model. But seriously, we’re equally amazed and blessed to have our take on healthcare reform met with such interest and enthusiasm. Thank you!

LISTEN TO EPISODE 11 OF THE ATLAS MD PODCAST HERE

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Posted by: AtlasMD

November 1, 2013

Where Did Our Accountability Go?

Where Did Our Accountability Go?

Obamacare has been “live” for a month now and it’s been grim. Visitors trying to log on to the Obamacare website early Thursday morning saw the same stubborn phrase that has roiled users for weeks: “The system is down at the moment.” It’s been almost a full month since the HealthCare.gov website launched. Technical problems have riddled it despite a series of advance warning signs. And sure, there’s been a chorus of apologies out of Washington, but it may be another month before everything’s running smoothly.

Here’s some “accountability” that’s been taken: Vice President Joe Biden became the highest-ranking administration official to apologize Wednesday for the botched rollout. “We assumed that it was up and ready to run,” he told CNN’s sister network HLN. “But the good news is although it’s not — and we apologize for that — we are confident by the end of November it’ll be, and there’ll still be plenty of time for people to register and get online.” This came after Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius apologized during a 3 1/2-hour congressional grilling. To the frustrated users who have had problems, she said: “You deserve better. I apologize. I’m accountable to you for fixing these problems.”

Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

October 30, 2013

LISTEN: Atlas MD Podcast, Ep. 10

LISTEN: Atlas MD Podcast, Ep. 10

Apologies for the delay, everyone. We’ve had a bit of construction in the office here, and we’ve been on the road, too. That said, the next installment of our podcast is live on iTunes.

Obamacare was unrolled and docs are wondering what that means for direct care. For the most part, we are safe. Patients’ insurance plans, not necessarily. If you want to get a better understanding of the direct care landscape, there’s a great source, though. Just visit dpcare.org and have a look. There are tons of informative articles about the law.

LISTEN TO EPISODE 10 OF THE ATLAS MD PODCAST HERE

In this episode, the team went to San Diego for an AAFP conference where they were bombarded with questions (arrived an hour early and stayed two hours late)! Then Dr. Doug shares a story of how the system prevents docs from practicing good medicine (and how he saw a patient immediately when her doc offered her an appointment 6 days later). Dr. Josh goes over more direct care math, and that’s just the beginning…

Oh, we’re heading out to a few different conferences where we’ll be talking to more docs about our model, including the Physicians Summit on Nov. 1. Maybe we’ll see you there, or elsewhere. As always, thanks for tuning in, and if you have any questions, please, send us an email: hello[at]atlas.md

Posted by: AtlasMD

October 30, 2013

Your Patients Want To Hear From You

Finally, some good news in the healthcare realm — this report from Mobi Health News outlines the extensive results of a survey related to digital communications. This section is most telling:

“Asked to list ‘most welcomed messages,’ respondents named three health-related messages. Sixty-nine percent welcomed a reminder about an upcoming appointment or vaccination, 57 percent mentioned a notice to reorder or pick up a prescription, and 39 percent would be happy with a message reminding them to schedule an appointment.”

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