Primary Care Payment Struggles

Primary Care Blog

The way doctors bill and get paid is a byzantine process and it is no wonder the "private practice" doctor is an endangered species.  It takes a keen sense of business, a love of medicine-not money, and a sense of humor to survive.  Here is my latest story.  You can't make this stuff up....

I saw a patient in September 2001  (note the date...11 years ago).  I billed her insurance company, Employers Mutual, LLC for $185.00.  I never got paid.

Now fast forward to September 2012.  I received a document from an attorney who informs me that he is a receiver in a class action suit and $48 million in unpaid claims is being claimed.   It appears I am a Category B creditor and will receive a pro-rata share.  He recovered $16, 559, 576.88 and took $4,831,214.40 in attorney fees.

It looks like in the future (?) I may receive a check for $37.00.  No promises are given.

I remember my practice back in 2001.  I worked about 80 hours a week and never even had enough money to fund a retirement plan for myself.  Getting paid a fraction of my charges was common and getting stiffed by insurers completely was also par for the day.

 I am happy for the windfall of $37.00 for the work I did 11 years ago.  I still see patients in a private practice but my main income now comes from my employed administrative position.  Waiting 11 years for a fraction of payment is not a sustainable business model.

This blog was originally posted on EverythingHealth