If there was ever a great reason for the timid to start a concierge podiatry practice, this would be it.
A recent article in Forbes discussed reasons why so many docs are planning to go insurance-free in their practices. It is not just fed-up, frustrated and overwhelmed primary care doctors. The AMA says it is across the board. All medical specialities have doctors who now believe running a practice free of third-party insurance reimbursement hassles is the most profitable and best way to go.
An independent research firm claims 9.6% of all doctors plan to switch to direct-pay models of practice in the next 1 to 3 years.
If you are a podiatrist who has historically relied on a group of primary care providers to funnel patients into your waiting room, this is good news.
Birds of a feather...
If you are the only podiatrist in your area who accepts NO insurance, you are the obvious best referral option.
Concierge docs are often viewed as forward-thinking independent risk takers. However the reality is that they aren't really taking big risks eliminating slow-paying third-party payments. They get paid immediately and consistently. The accounting is much simpler. The profit is higher. Life is better.
All of the decreases in time spent on the business side translate into increases in time on the patient care side. There is more time to research new procedures and better techniques. There is more time to respond to patient questions and make podiatry house calls for patients in your practice.
When a podiatrist opts-out of Medicare and stops taking insurance, the primary care doctors all know you are going to provide a higher level of attention than someone who is worried about reimbursement issues based on low-paying insurance contracts. This alone would be reason enough for them to begin referring their clients to you for podiatric care.
So if you have been thinking about making the switch from a high hassle/low reimbursement model to a low-overhead/high satisfaction podiatry house calls practice, now would seem to be the time.
Dr. Christopher Segler used to take Medicare and insurance. But one day he woke up. After of years enjoying his podiatry house calls practice model in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has been approached by podiatrists all over the country asking one simple question, "Could a house calls based podiatry practice work for me in my area?" And the answer so far, in every case, has been YES! He now often helps other podiatrists set up and get their house calls practices started. If you have a question, you can reach him directly at 415-308-0833. You can view his practice websites at AnkleCenter.com DocOnTheRun.com and LaserToenailHouseCalls.com
House Podiatrist calls NJare very helpful specially for the homebound people.
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