So, you want a physical...

[Guest guest]

I have had so many people complaining they wanted to be charged for a physical after the fact, although they did not request a physical. Of course, I cannot charge it if it was not done. For new patients, I can just about always justify and charge for a physical due to an initial comprehensive evaluation. I typed this up to hang inside the exam room doors as an education campaign. I am coming to realize this space is a valuable advertising real estate! I am amazed how thoroughly anything posted there is reviewed and referenced by patients. Please provide feedback so I can tweak my final draft. (I think this came out fairly well due to the fact I wrote it with calm feelings. When I write these things during my reaction to specific events, I am so angry the venom is practically visible on the paper.)

Jacques Guillot, MD_________________________________

Physicals and Wellness Exams

Confusion can arise about

physicals. Some insurance contracts pay

for physicals so patients come out better (for example, an annual physical with

no out of pocket cost) and some do not pay for physicals.

My goal is to:

Give you what you want.

Maximize your insurance benefits for you.

Problems arise whenSomeone asks for a physical, but the service he is

really requesting is not a physical.

(For example, he really wants his hypertension or cough treated.)

Someone is not familiar with his insurance benefits and

wishes later something had been done differently.

Someone comes in for care that is not a physical, and

later wants the visit charged as a physical – but I cannot do this when a physical was not done.

Particularly, if you are seeking care for a specific

symptom or problem, I cannot bill it as a physical " just because the insurance

will pay for a physical. " Furthermore,

if we do a physical instead, there might not be the optimal amount of time to

deal with the problem which you really want to address.

What is a physical (also called a

wellness exam)?

There is no

exact definition. Generally a physical

is a periodic evaluation to assess someone's overall health with a special

emphasis on preventive care such as diet and exercise counseling,

immunizations, and screening for health conditions, especially cardiovascular

disease and certain cancers.

As there is a

finite amount of time and energy during a visit, all possible issues might not

be addressed during every physical.

Focus on diet might distract focus from vaccinations. Extensive discussion of controversial cancer

screenings might not leave time to talk about osteoporosis screening.

This is not a

comprehensive visit to address and treat all problems or concerns identified

during the evaluation. A return visit might well be necessary

to evaluate specific symptoms or issues found during the physical itself.

Bottom Line

I thank you for the opportunity to work as your

physician.I want to give you the service you want.If you want a physical or wellness exam, ask for

it by name.