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[Guest guest]

Here's the letter I've been handing out.

Dear Patients,

Unfortunately the economy with increasing costs and insurances with decreasing payments is putting this office at risk of closing. Other doctors in the area are working second jobs or selling their offices to big corporations forcing them to see thirty or more patients a day! I would like to continue giving the personal one-to-one care that everyone deserves. Therefore I am adding a non-covered benefits fess of 100 dollars/person per year or 300 dollars per family per year . This fee covers the extras that I give which is not covered by insurance such as home and cell phone access, same day appointments, forms completion, extended times obtaining prior authorizations, etc. Other offices are charging for forms and prior approvals. I would prefer to not nickel and dime

my patients in that manner. However, I do need to keep the office open in order to provide any care.

Thank you for your understanding,

Myria Emeny , MD

I can't tell you what a pleasure it is to be able to answer "come in right now" to folks with urgent matters that in other offices would be a least a day wait. I don't think that is covered by Medicare's expectations but am not sure where to look. Not calling and flagging myself to my carrier either! And yes there has to be call coverage but that generally doesn't have to be the direct access I provide. I think some doctors are just leaving message to go to Urgent Care when the office is closed. If other Medicare providers who do have NCBF think I should tweek the wording please let me know.

I'm certainly learning a lot from you all. So glad to have the group as a whole as my cheering section!

I have been SOOOOOOOOOO PLEASANTLY surprised wth my patients response. "no prob doc. Remember that time you called me between visits to see if I was getting better?" No, I didn't but they did! "I've had to call you at home. Sure takes the worry out of the weekend. No problem with this give me a couple months." or "It would cost me more in gas to go elsewhere so this is cheap and besides I like you." My poorest patients are the quickest to say it's fair. I find that my confidence in presenting the fee in a no nonsense manner makes people less likely to balk as well.

I really think it is very helpful that I'm handing the letters out rather than mailing them gives. I get to stress that I wouldn't do it if I didn't have to but if it comes to closing or not being available because I'm working somewhere else I'd rather do this first. Mostly the patients beat me to saying "This is less than my Dunkin Donuts coffee each month."

Thank you EVERYONE.

, loved your post.

, as always you are a gem with information.