concierge medicine | Atlas.md | EMR Software for Concierge Medicine

Posted by: AtlasMD

July 19, 2013

Congress’ Actions Speak Louder Than Words

So we came across some share-worthy news today. Here’s a quote from CMT, referencing Congressional healthcare benefits:

“One of the most unusual perks may come from the Office of the Attending Physician of the United States Congress. For an annual fee of $503, House and Senate members can designate the official congressional physician to be their primary care doctor — meaning they never have to leave Capitol Hill, deal with crowded doctor’s offices or be subject to the same type of care from a doctor as the rest of us.”

This sounds kind of like their own personal doctor, that’s available 24/7, for a fixed yearly price (that’s about a third of what we charge hard working Americans), who provides primary care, same day, with no waits, who fields calls directly… which sounds a lot like what we offer at Atlas MD.

Posted by: AtlasMD

July 12, 2013

Now Chicago Tribune Is Praising Direct Primary Care

Chicago Tribune writer Christopher Gearon opened his recent piece about direct primary care with a question? “Ever need to wait a week or more to see your primary care doctor?” He then recommends that you take a cue from Debra Sallee, 58, a Seattle hair salon owner. She pays a flat fee of $79 a month and can see her family physician unlimited times — with no co-payments or health insurance forms.

“It’s just so convenient. They are at my beck and call,” she says.

Posted by: AtlasMD

July 11, 2013

Can Doctors Meet Growing Patient Demand For Insurance-Free Medicine?

Dr. Doug and Dr. Josh have been spreading the gospel of direct care on Fox News, late night podcasts and CNN. But Concierge Medicine Today (CMT) has some data showing the downside in concierge medicine. They’re finding that the number of patients seeking concierge medical care exceeds the actual number of primary care and family practice doctors on the market.

“Despite what we hear in the media about the increase in concierge and private-pay physicians growing across America, there are simply not enough of these [concierge-style, direct care or membership medicine-style] physicians in the U.S. to meet the current demand,” says Michael Tetreault, Editor-In-Chief of Concierge Medicine Today “At the end of the day, the marketplace is still falling short.”

Posted by: AtlasMD

July 11, 2013

New Numbers Show Income and Satisfaction Increase After Doctors Ditch Insurance

Concierge Medicine Today has released new data summarizing concierge medicine physician salaries. The data is based on surveys, polling analysis and verbal responses received from concierge doctors across the U.S. from 2009-2012. We’ve included the highlights: Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

July 9, 2013

Physicians Explore Their Decision To Practice Concierge Medicine

Back in May, Forbes reported that there were now approximately 4,400 physicians who were practicing concierge-style medicine. They define the term as “a form of primary care characterized by a retainer-style fee in return for enhanced access to physician care.” In an MD News article, Jennifer Webster questions what makes physicians decide to become concierge doctors, pondering if the trade-offs are worth it — for instance, things like handing out one’s personal cell phone number.

Posted by: AtlasMD

June 29, 2013

Why Do 30% of Concierge Medicine Patients Want To Switch Practices?

Our industry’s trusty watchdog, Michael Tetreault over at CMT, conducted some helpful surveys to get to the bottom of patient dissatisfaction. He says, “… Most concierge medical practices maintain a very high patient retention average of approximately 92%-94%*…” But adds that patients are writing in weekly looking for new doctors in their area. So what’s the deal?

He then analyzed over 1,000 prospective concierge medicine patient search requests that were submitted to CMT’s website and he found that nearly 30% of patients are leaving one concierge doctor and seeking another. Something’s obviously wrong here. Patients are sticking with concierge medicine, but what’s forcing patients to leave one for another? It looks like it all comes down to the “front desk” so to speak.

Posted by: AtlasMD

June 28, 2013

Kake.com Covers Atlas MD and Shows The “Crazy” Truth of Direct Care Success

Empty waiting rooms might seem like an ominous forecast for a business. But not here at Atlas MD. We’re grateful that Kake.com came by to talk to us, and see us on a busy day, seeing about 4-5 patients. Along with our waiting room that had practically no one sitting in it all day, since they could come right in to see us upon arrival.

We’re compelled by Kake.com’s angle, communicating that we aren’t THE answer, but an option that is on the market. Again, it’s always nice to hear sensible journalism. It’s incredible how much it feels like you have to yell to get media attention these days. And generally it comes along with immediate opponents who make us sound like we’re the bane of patients seeing doctors, that we’re cursing people automatically to some lower tier where there won’t be any doctors left for them to see.

Posted by: AtlasMD

June 28, 2013

Dr. Doug Nunamaker On Huckabee

We’ve got the direct care ball rolling and the movement’s definitely gaining momentum. Yes, it’s considered an alternative within our insurance-based, government-controlled healthcare system. But it’s getting attention from mainstream national media, and that’s great news! Here’s Dr. Doug on a segment of Fox’s Huckabee, hosted by Governor Mike Huckabee.

Featured alongside Dr. Doug are Drs. Marcy Zwelling and Michael Ciampi. Together they discuss the reality of privacy invasion caused by billing codes, Meaningful Use (or fail, depending on how you look at it) where doctors work for the machine instead of the patient in order to get paid, and the fact that doctors can still make a healthy salary without charging patients hundreds of dollars for each visit. Check out the second segment below.

Posted by: AtlasMD

June 25, 2013

GOOD NEWS: Hatch-Rubio Bill Would Modify HSA, FSA Rules

“A new Republican Senate bill seeks to facilitate the use of tax-advantaged health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending arrangements by loosening the rules that govern them,” says a recent post from The Hill. On Thursday, Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced legislation to get rid of what they have labeled, “onerous” restrictions on HSAs. This would include the current ban that disallows the spending of HSA dollars on over-the-counter drugs tax-free.

This looks like great news for us as we’re trying to help people out of the insurance trap. As the host of Night Talker Radio Network said during a podcast with Dr. Doug, he doesn’t want to be 50 years old, paying $1,200 a month in case he gets a sore throat. A bill like this is one less shackle tying us to an entrenched, greedy system. It’s sure to cause a stir with opponents. We’re curious to see how they attack it, and are keeping an eye out for what other legislation is proposed within the bill. Obviously, based on the issues presented, we’re entirely on board.

Posted by: AtlasMD

June 24, 2013

Running List Of The Best ICD-10 Codes

And if you needed any more reasons to be concerned with the future of health care as it pertains to insurance billing, look no further. We’ve compiled some of our favorite ICD-10 billing gaffs.

Here are some straight-up laugh-worthy ICD-10 codes:
R46.1, “bizarre personal appearance”
R46.0, “very low level of personal hygiene”
W22.02XA, “walked into lamppost, initial encounter”
W22.02XD, “walked into lamppost, subsequent encounter”
V91.07XA, “burn due to water-skis on fire”

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