tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post6102131044688437569..comments2024-03-22T17:05:55.267-04:00Comments on MD Whistleblower: Can Doctors Charge Late Fees? Michael Kirsch, M.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-26438259258331376122017-09-07T09:30:47.985-04:002017-09-07T09:30:47.985-04:00I agree that both patients and physicians can be t...I agree that both patients and physicians can be thoughtless and both need to be mindful of the value of the others' time. Establishing better physician-patient relationships and improving communicationsMehreenhttps://brightowl.pro/search/project/clinical-research-jobsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-41011640849364814552016-11-27T18:46:30.276-05:002016-11-27T18:46:30.276-05:00That reply is offensive and quite arrogant, as to ...That reply is offensive and quite arrogant, as to imply that Doctors are the only profession worth any time. I've have a similar situation as "anonymous".. I've notified the receptionist of my situation and as an executive advisor, multinational corporations and billions of dollars rely on my timeliness and diligence to deliver a service. Why is it that a doctor's office can't notify me of a delay, especially in your case where you know you have an extensive procedure / surgery, so I can make the necessary decision during my workday? It's enough that most doctors will only during patients during work hours- again, as if they are the only people with jobs that matter. <br /><br />If you expect me to be transparent and timely, I expect a doctor and/or their office to do the same for me. I'm always diligent and timeline and come early to insure no delays. If I can't receive the same then I certainly feel I have a right to send a bill for my excess time and I certainly shouldn't be charged for a missed "reservation". To be clear on that, it's an appointment.. not "like a reservation". Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-607665445250519882014-02-07T12:47:25.545-05:002014-02-07T12:47:25.545-05:00I certainly did not intend my comment to be an ind...I certainly did not intend my comment to be an indictment of dermatologists or their practices. My point is that consideration is the obligation of both the patient and the practice, and that patients should be advised of a delay in their scheduled appointment times, just as patients should timely notify the practice if they are unable to keep an appointment.<br /><br />An appointmnet is not a "reservation" to see a physician when he or she gets to the patient -- it is an agreement between the parties (patient and practice) to meet at a specified time. And as any good restaurant will tell you, even a reservation requires a specific time. <br /><br />Finally, there is nothing in the Affordable Care Act that requires providers to schedule or treat more patients than they want. People who are considerate will continue to be considerate and those who are not . . . well, there's nothing any law can do about that. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-77903407876198219262014-02-05T20:41:23.990-05:002014-02-05T20:41:23.990-05:00I hope that 'anonymous' is "thick ski...I hope that 'anonymous' is "thick skinned"!Michael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-36846746434249608292014-02-05T19:13:49.188-05:002014-02-05T19:13:49.188-05:00I am a dermatologist and do Mohs surgery. Let me e...I am a dermatologist and do Mohs surgery. Let me educate "anonymous" about the unpredictability of Mohs surgery. This procedure is where the dermatologic surgeon acts as the surgeon and pathologist but removing the skin cancer and then reading the slide (i.e. looking for residual skin cancer). It is a laborious process. I have started cases in the morning only to have them go 10+ stages and then require tissue rearrangement for closure. I have been in the office taking additional samples at 10 pm. Thus, your underhanded comment ("seems less likely for a dermatologist") and tone seem to degrade what a dermatologist does. I believe you should have been billed for leaving the appointment. Did the physician leave? He or she would have stayed well beyond working hours to service your medical need. An appointment is more like a reservation -- you will get to see a physician. Get used to this arrangement with Obamacare recepients flooding our schedules. HARDworkingDERMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-83976858107582880822014-02-05T11:11:38.420-05:002014-02-05T11:11:38.420-05:00I appreciate your thoughtful, albeit anonymous com...I appreciate your thoughtful, albeit anonymous comment. We don't want to fine anyone, but we are frustrated at how many folks simply do not show up, even when they are scheduled for a procedure, when we have nurses, a nurse anesthetist and me waiting for them. It's not only unfair to us, but deprives another patient of an appt slot that they could have used. Thanks again for commenting.Michael Kirsch, M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/07555280388086931097noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7323692122514281455.post-90207319928172016032014-02-04T11:45:12.829-05:002014-02-04T11:45:12.829-05:00I agree that both patients and physicians can be t...I agree that both patients and physicians can be thoughtless and both need to be mindful of the value of the others' time. Establishing better physician-patient relationships and improving communications can be far more effective than trying to assess reciprocal fines, which necessarily require allocations of fault -- another impediment to better relationships. <br /><br />I recently had an office appointment with a dermatologist. I arrived a few minutes early to fill out the requisite forms, then waited for nearly an hour, with no explanation from the front office. After advising the office manager that I couldn't wait any longer, I left. Two weeks later, I got a bill for a "missed appointment," to which I responded with a bill for my time at my current hourly rate. Of course, the relationship was irrevocably broken and I found another physician. <br /><br />Patients understand that physicians must sometimes respond to emergencies and may get behind in their schedules. (Although that seems less likely for a dermatologist.) That information should be communicated to patients either before immediately after they arrive at the office so they can decide whether to wait or to reschedule. Similarly, patients need to be educated about the consequences of their failure to keep appointments, including, for repeat offenders, dismissal from the practice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com