u/Alterdoc

Hi All,
I recently had my first patient insured by Cigna. Spent a good hour with them during the first visit. Billed level 4. Getting my reimbursement of $41 and $25 copayment! This is around 40-45% of Medicare rates!! First of all, what the heck! Is this normal? And if so, how are you mitigating this?
We’re definitely requesting a rate increase, but looking to get your thoughts.
I am also curious, in the day and age of lousy insurance reimbursement, what is your approach to primary care financial operations? Do you recommend just going to $xx per month in addition to billing the insurance?
Thanks!

I brought an awesome PA on board and look forward to growing the practice together. However I find that he doesn’t get much traction on Zocdoc despite stellar reviews from patients. Every time someone calls and we offer the PA, patients decline. I’m fairly confident his panel will grow, but looking to get your strategies on how to get him going. He only has 1-2 patients scheduled. I have been giving his cards out, he is on our website, I have spoken to other docs in the community.

Thanks!

Hi All,

I'm curious about your strategies on negotiating primary care rates. Being a new practice, I'm looking at rates around 85-95% of Medicare. Who do you reach out to in Horizon for example? What is your strategy? I've been open under a year - is this a good time to start negotiating?

Thanks!

Hi all,
I was contacted by this “Curative” insurance offering to put me on the panel. They pay PAs 75% of medicare and 90% or so for physicians. Seems to be negotiable. Has anyone had any experience with this company? Any recommendations?
Thanks!

Hi everyone,

I feel that SEO is an important part of marketing, especially for a startup practice. So far, I've had no success with google ads but doing pretty good with zocdoc site. However, I feel that we can do better in terms of being found. I've spoken with a few SEO agencies and the numbers are outrageous, at least for an early practice. Heck, I can use the$4500+ to get additional equipment for the office, or $750 per month can be spent elsewhere for the time being. Can you recommend a solid SEO company that doesn't see $$$ as soon as they hear "Doctor!" or perhaps suggest one of those AI SEO companies? What are your thoughts on the AI SEO?

Thanks.

Hi all!
I use eCW as our EMR. However I don’t use them as my billing company. Hence I am unable to generate “statement code” for patients to log enter it into Healow and make a payment. My CC processing company is what was recommended be eCW: global payments. Is there a way to embed global payments into my website and streamline the payments? Or perhaps use another company in addition to global payments to collect patient dues? What’s your solution if not using eCW billing services?
Thanks!

Hi all,
I’m using eCW as my EMR, but utilize outside billing company. For those who use the same strategy, do you have a way for patients to pay their statements via healow? Any other online payment methods? The way it’s done now in our practice: my billers mail a statement to the patient, patient then either sends a check or calls the billing company with a credit card number, billers send me an encrypted file with the card information and I process it. It would be much easier if patients can just go online, enter a “statement code” that healow has and pay. Obviously I don’t generate statement codes as eCW is not my billing company.
What’s your strategy? Any recommendations?

Looking to get an idea of an accountant cost. I have 2 llcs (practice and real estate), will be hiring 2 employees (so will need payroll). Accountant is giving me a ballpark of $500 for bookkeeping, their services of tax navigation between llcs, account management, etc. Is this reasonable? Or…run!?

Love the Welch Allyn connex Spot. But heck, I’m not about to drop $2900 for a machine when I need 4 patient tables! What do you guys suggest that’s a bit less cost prohibitive?

I have a few patients with a high deductible insurance. Often they get hit with $150-170 bill they are responsible for. Not a good business practice, but I feel bad. I understand some will say “it’s patient’s responsibility to know this and pay.” Still doesn’t change that I feel a big uneasy. So, make me feel better about sending them tgat bill (granted, it’s sent by my billing company) and let me know how you approach this? Fo you ask patients to pay a partial upfront payment?
Thanks!

Hi all,
I’m looking to offer primary care as a VA Community Care Network physician. Already part of optum. What do I need to do in order to make the VA aware we’re offering these services? Also, is there any specific training that has to be done?
Thanks!