My GP/cardiologist changed his practice to concierge. Should I have paid a substantial annual fee to stay with him? I did. He took his concierge into a giant practice. I didn’t. I didn’t like the contract. I didn’t like paying this company because I couldn’t figure out what they were doing for the money.
What they were doing, they were doing for him, not me. Making the concierge practice more manageable. What was I getting from the concierge practice? I could see the doctor right away if I wanted. I saw him more often. I had a lengthy, scheduled chat with him twice a year. And he earned enough extra so he felt free of the oppressive oversight by the insurance companies or was it the federal government or both.
My new GP is a bright young woman. I see her once a year. We don’t talk much. We certainly don’t chat. I am part of a big hospital medical practice that does a pretty good job of communicating by email.
Will Medicare for All or an improved ACA fix any of this? The purpose of any reform (at least if the Democrats gain control of the government) is to ensure that people who do not have health insurance now get health care. I’m for that. It is the most important thing.
I’m for doctors feeling like they are in control of their practice of medicine. I’m for doctors feeling happy about their work. Professionals find a way to focus – happy or not. We need to listen to the doctors. We need to find a way so doctors are in control of their work and accountable. People need both.