Author: Foot Doc
Date: 10/17/2007 12:39 am PDT
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Unfortunately, economics often run counter to the application of best medical care. But if it is more cost- effective for you to go through a gatekeeper physician to obtain a referral, by all means do that. But you should be aware that some HMO/PPO programs either "capitate" their gatekeepers or give them financial incentives NOT to refer out, and to attempt treatment themselves, even when it might be in the best interests of the patient to obtain specialty care. Capitation means that the doctor contracts with the insurer to service patients on generally a yearly basis, and is paid a fixed fee for each patient underwritten by the insurer, whether the patient requires treatment or not. Therefore, there is clearly a financial incentive to NOT treat or to treat as minimally as possible. The fee structure offered by the insurers to the doctors often make old-time traditional care a money loser for the doctor and like it or not, doctors practice to make a living.
I made that inference as your being a minor as you mentioned that you played softball, and although I am quite aware that older women play the game, when I think of girls softball, I generally think of younger and often minor. girls. In just a few short years you will thank someone who thinks that you are younger than you are. |
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