Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

[Guest guest]

This will be interesting to follow, you bring up some excellent questions but my

first response is: can it be any worse than what we currently deal with? I know

I can imaging a world without the OrthoNets, without the ACNs and without all of

the other middle men picking bits and pieces out of the pie until all that is

left for the people actually performing the services that make people healthier,

the providers, is the crumbs. What I will be watching for is how they decide to

limit what an individual can pay for out of pocket, will a PT be able to " opt

out " and charge cash for their services or at least certain services that are

not covered or are under covered. Thanks for the link!

E s, PT, DPT,

Orthopedic Clinical Specialist

Fellow American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists

www.douglasspt.com

>

> Article link:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

>

> Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and the

PT private practice owners?

>

> As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

now......Take it or leave it.

>

> If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

>

> Jon Mark Pleasant

> Methodist Medical Center

>

[Guest guest]

A Single payer health plan in Vermont will also affect Physical Therapists

working in facility based practices such as hospitals, SNFs, home health

agencies. All will be impacted. Vermont Medicaid reimbursement rates do not

meet costs now...we have significant concerns with a single payer model run by

the state government system, and wonder if it is truly possible. The

legislation which passed in Vermont does not address how this system will be

paid for; small and large businesses, private citizens,and hospital systems are

requesting more information and details so we can attempt to be proactive and

make somewhat informed choices...

You are correct , we as a profession have issues now...and they shall become

even more challenging in the very near future!

Now is the time to become active members of your professional organizations,

develop relationships with your state and national legislative representatives,

become informed, share knowledge and experience and BE INVOLVED!

Thanks

Kerry

Kerry R. Wood, PT, DPT

Therapy Manager

FAHC IP Rehab Therapies

Colchester, VT 05446

Fax:

www.fletcherallen.org

Life is Precious.....LIVE IT!!

Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and the PT

private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

now......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

Methodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

your location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

group.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to our

professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model practices. The

description of PTManager group includes the following:

" PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

Messages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join APTA,

AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

PTManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and the

PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

now......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

Methodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

your location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

group.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to our

professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model practices. The

description of PTManager group includes the following:

" PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

Messages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

APTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

PTManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and the

PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

now......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

Methodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

your location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

group.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to our

professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model practices. The

description of PTManager group includes the following:

" PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

Messages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

APTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

PTManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony

" In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics> economics, a monopsony (from

Ancient Greek (monos) " single " + (opsônia) " purchase " ) is a

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_form> market form in which only one

buyer faces many sellers. It is an example of

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperfect_competition> imperfect competition,

similar to a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly> monopoly, in which

only one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or

service, the " monopsonist " may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same

manner that a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolist> monopolist controls

the market for its buyers. "

and

" The lower employment and wage caused by monopsony power has two distinct

effects on the economic welfare of the people involved. First, it

redistributes welfare away from workers and to their employer(s). Secondly,

it reduces the aggregate (or social) welfare enjoyed by both groups taken

together, as the employers' net gain is smaller than the loss inflicted on

workers. "

Dick Hillyer,PT

Dr. Hillyer, PT,DPT,MBA,MSM

Hillyer Consulting

Cape Coral, FL 33914

_____

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of

Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:58 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and

the PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

now......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

Methodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

your location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

group.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to

our professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model

practices. The description of PTManager group includes the following:

" PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

Messages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

APTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

PTManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony

" In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics> economics, a monopsony (from

Ancient Greek (monos) " single " + (opsônia) " purchase " ) is a

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_form> market form in which only one

buyer faces many sellers. It is an example of

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperfect_competition> imperfect competition,

similar to a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly> monopoly, in which

only one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or

service, the " monopsonist " may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same

manner that a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolist> monopolist controls

the market for its buyers. "

and

" The lower employment and wage caused by monopsony power has two distinct

effects on the economic welfare of the people involved. First, it

redistributes welfare away from workers and to their employer(s). Secondly,

it reduces the aggregate (or social) welfare enjoyed by both groups taken

together, as the employers' net gain is smaller than the loss inflicted on

workers. "

Dick Hillyer,PT

Dr. Hillyer, PT,DPT,MBA,MSM

Hillyer Consulting

Cape Coral, FL 33914

_____

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of

Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:58 PM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and

the PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

now......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

Methodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

your location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

group.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to

our professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model

practices. The description of PTManager group includes the following:

" PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

Messages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

APTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

PTManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

I do not feel any of us would like to see a single payer health care system, nor

would we want to see a single provider health care system. But I do believe

that we would all like to see some consistency in the rules and regulations

involved in the payer system. Right now the legislature in all 50 states favors

the money trail and I believe that trail leads back to the insurers. Until the

provider side of the equation is willing to organize and finance an effort, I

cannot see positive change in the payer system, reimbursement process or the

medical policies that continue to be heaped upon the providers. While I have

mentioned before that I am not a therapist, practically everyone reading this

post has an opportunity to affect change through some professional organization.

Here's my 2c plugging the APTA, ASHA and AOTA. If you are not a member, now

would be a good time to consider it. While I do not know what the annual cost

is, I expect it is probably less than a meal out once a month at a chain

restaurant.

I was able to attend PPS in Washington DC last fall. One of the keynote

speakers was Patch . Not only was he inspirational, he really nailed it

when he discussed the reality of our current healthcare system. An employer can

have an aging employment base of workers and wind up easily paying $1,000 per

month per employee to cover healthcare costs. Consider your local area. If

everyone were to bypass their insurance companies and pay premiums to the local

healthcare system/hospital, $1,000 per month times 1,000 people equals $1

million a month. In a year, over $12 million would be injected into your local

community provider network. Could a new hospital be built and staffing be

provided? Could there be more than 1,000 covered lives in your backyard? And

that doesn't include what patients are charged for coinsurance or deductibles.

Interesting thought process that Patch has..., he is such a rebel!

No saying his idea is the answer, but it really causes me to stop and think

about our process and how it could be changed for the better.

Jim <///><

RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony

" In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics> economics, a monopsony (from

ncient Greek (monos) " single " + (opsônia) " purchase " ) is a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_form> market form in which only one

uyer faces many sellers. It is an example of

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperfect_competition> imperfect competition,

imilar to a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly> monopoly, in which

nly one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or

ervice, the " monopsonist " may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same

anner that a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolist> monopolist controls

he market for its buyers. "

and

The lower employment and wage caused by monopsony power has two distinct

ffects on the economic welfare of the people involved. First, it

edistributes welfare away from workers and to their employer(s). Secondly,

t reduces the aggregate (or social) welfare enjoyed by both groups taken

ogether, as the employers' net gain is smaller than the loss inflicted on

orkers. "

ick Hillyer,PT

r. Hillyer, PT,DPT,MBA,MSM

illyer Consulting

ape Coral, FL 33914

_____

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

f

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:58 PM

o: PTManager

ubject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

----- Original Message -----

rom: Wood, Kerry R.

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:21 AM

ubject: RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

A Single payer health plan in Vermont will also affect Physical Therapists

orking in facility based practices such as hospitals, SNFs, home health

gencies. All will be impacted. Vermont Medicaid reimbursement rates do not

eet costs now...we have significant concerns with a single payer model run

y the state government system, and wonder if it is truly possible. The

egislation which passed in Vermont does not address how this system will be

aid for; small and large businesses, private citizens,and hospital systems

re requesting more information and details so we can attempt to be

roactive and make somewhat informed choices...

ou are correct , we as a profession have issues now...and they shall

ecome even more challenging in the very near future!

ow is the time to become active members of your professional organizations,

evelop relationships with your state and national legislative

epresentatives, become informed, share knowledge and experience and BE

NVOLVED!

hanks

erry

Kerry R. Wood, PT, DPT

herapy Manager

AHC IP Rehab Therapies

olchester, VT 05446

02-847-3942 Fax:

ww.fletcherallen.org

Life is Precious.....LIVE IT!!

-----Original Message-----

rom: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com> ] On

ehalf Of jonmarkpleasant

ent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 9:46 AM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

ttp://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and

he PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

ow......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

ethodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

our location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

roup.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to

ur professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model

ractices. The description of PTManager group includes the following:

PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

essages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

PTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

TManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

All recipients of third-party payments feel the pain Jim describes, and have

therefore wished, as he says, " ...to see some consistency in the rules and

regulations involved in the payer system. " But we must be careful what we wish

for. " Consistency " has a serious devil attached to it, and that is the loss of

individualized care. All systems narrow choices. All systems tend to slot

people. All systems make individuals subject to the big, and really, when you

think about it, that is the root of providers' (and patients') pain-interference

with judgment and desires by outsiders who do not, cannot, understand the

particulars of a situation.

I believe most therapists enjoy working with people far more than policy and

procedure manuals. Certainly individuals do not appreciate having their futures

dictated by any sort of bureaucracy. For that reason we ought to set our sights

higher than merely shaving the rougher edges from a rotten system, and instead

fight to give patients complete freedom to choose providers THEY want. Consumer

desires are always the best determinant of what the marketplace should look

like. Support real, honest, unfettered, Healthcare Savings Accounts.

Dave Milano, PT, Rehabilitation Director

Laurel Health System

________________________________

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

JHall49629@...

Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 11:06 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

I do not feel any of us would like to see a single payer health care system, nor

would we want to see a single provider health care system. But I do believe that

we would all like to see some consistency in the rules and regulations involved

in the payer system. Right now the legislature in all 50 states favors the money

trail and I believe that trail leads back to the insurers. Until the provider

side of the equation is willing to organize and finance an effort, I cannot see

positive change in the payer system, reimbursement process or the medical

policies that continue to be heaped upon the providers. While I have mentioned

before that I am not a therapist, practically everyone reading this post has an

opportunity to affect change through some professional organization. Here's my

2c plugging the APTA, ASHA and AOTA. If you are not a member, now would be a

good time to consider it. While I do not know what the annual cost is, I expect

it is probably less than a meal out once a month at a chain restaurant.

I was able to attend PPS in Washington DC last fall. One of the keynote speakers

was Patch . Not only was he inspirational, he really nailed it when he

discussed the reality of our current healthcare system. An employer can have an

aging employment base of workers and wind up easily paying $1,000 per month per

employee to cover healthcare costs. Consider your local area. If everyone were

to bypass their insurance companies and pay premiums to the local healthcare

system/hospital, $1,000 per month times 1,000 people equals $1 million a month.

In a year, over $12 million would be injected into your local community provider

network. Could a new hospital be built and staffing be provided? Could there be

more than 1,000 covered lives in your backyard? And that doesn't include what

patients are charged for coinsurance or deductibles.

Interesting thought process that Patch has..., he is such a rebel!

No saying his idea is the answer, but it really causes me to stop and think

about our process and how it could be changed for the better.

Jim <///><

RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony

" In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics> economics, a monopsony (from

ncient Greek (monos) " single " + (opsônia) " purchase " ) is a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_form> market form in which only one

uyer faces many sellers. It is an example of

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperfect_competition> imperfect competition,

imilar to a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly> monopoly, in which

nly one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or

ervice, the " monopsonist " may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same

anner that a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolist> monopolist controls

he market for its buyers. "

and

The lower employment and wage caused by monopsony power has two distinct

ffects on the economic welfare of the people involved. First, it

edistributes welfare away from workers and to their employer(s). Secondly,

t reduces the aggregate (or social) welfare enjoyed by both groups taken

ogether, as the employers' net gain is smaller than the loss inflicted on

orkers. "

ick Hillyer,PT

r. Hillyer, PT,DPT,MBA,MSM

illyer Consulting

ape Coral, FL 33914

_____

From: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf

f

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:58 PM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

----- Original Message -----

rom: Wood, Kerry R.

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:21 AM

ubject: RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

A Single payer health plan in Vermont will also affect Physical Therapists

orking in facility based practices such as hospitals, SNFs, home health

gencies. All will be impacted. Vermont Medicaid reimbursement rates do not

eet costs now...we have significant concerns with a single payer model run

y the state government system, and wonder if it is truly possible. The

egislation which passed in Vermont does not address how this system will be

aid for; small and large businesses, private citizens,and hospital systems

re requesting more information and details so we can attempt to be

roactive and make somewhat informed choices...

ou are correct , we as a profession have issues now...and they shall

ecome even more challenging in the very near future!

ow is the time to become active members of your professional organizations,

evelop relationships with your state and national legislative

epresentatives, become informed, share knowledge and experience and BE

NVOLVED!

hanks

erry

Kerry R. Wood, PT, DPT

herapy Manager

AHC IP Rehab Therapies

olchester, VT 05446

02-847-3942 Fax:

ww.fletcherallen.org

Life is Precious.....LIVE IT!!

-----Original Message-----

rom: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com> ] On

ehalf Of jonmarkpleasant

ent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 9:46 AM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

ttp://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and

he PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

ow......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

ethodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

our location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

roup.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to

ur professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model

ractices. The description of PTManager group includes the following:

PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

essages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

PTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

TManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

All recipients of third-party payments feel the pain Jim describes, and have

therefore wished, as he says, " ...to see some consistency in the rules and

regulations involved in the payer system. " But we must be careful what we wish

for. " Consistency " has a serious devil attached to it, and that is the loss of

individualized care. All systems narrow choices. All systems tend to slot

people. All systems make individuals subject to the big, and really, when you

think about it, that is the root of providers' (and patients') pain-interference

with judgment and desires by outsiders who do not, cannot, understand the

particulars of a situation.

I believe most therapists enjoy working with people far more than policy and

procedure manuals. Certainly individuals do not appreciate having their futures

dictated by any sort of bureaucracy. For that reason we ought to set our sights

higher than merely shaving the rougher edges from a rotten system, and instead

fight to give patients complete freedom to choose providers THEY want. Consumer

desires are always the best determinant of what the marketplace should look

like. Support real, honest, unfettered, Healthcare Savings Accounts.

Dave Milano, PT, Rehabilitation Director

Laurel Health System

________________________________

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

JHall49629@...

Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 11:06 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

I do not feel any of us would like to see a single payer health care system, nor

would we want to see a single provider health care system. But I do believe that

we would all like to see some consistency in the rules and regulations involved

in the payer system. Right now the legislature in all 50 states favors the money

trail and I believe that trail leads back to the insurers. Until the provider

side of the equation is willing to organize and finance an effort, I cannot see

positive change in the payer system, reimbursement process or the medical

policies that continue to be heaped upon the providers. While I have mentioned

before that I am not a therapist, practically everyone reading this post has an

opportunity to affect change through some professional organization. Here's my

2c plugging the APTA, ASHA and AOTA. If you are not a member, now would be a

good time to consider it. While I do not know what the annual cost is, I expect

it is probably less than a meal out once a month at a chain restaurant.

I was able to attend PPS in Washington DC last fall. One of the keynote speakers

was Patch . Not only was he inspirational, he really nailed it when he

discussed the reality of our current healthcare system. An employer can have an

aging employment base of workers and wind up easily paying $1,000 per month per

employee to cover healthcare costs. Consider your local area. If everyone were

to bypass their insurance companies and pay premiums to the local healthcare

system/hospital, $1,000 per month times 1,000 people equals $1 million a month.

In a year, over $12 million would be injected into your local community provider

network. Could a new hospital be built and staffing be provided? Could there be

more than 1,000 covered lives in your backyard? And that doesn't include what

patients are charged for coinsurance or deductibles.

Interesting thought process that Patch has..., he is such a rebel!

No saying his idea is the answer, but it really causes me to stop and think

about our process and how it could be changed for the better.

Jim <///><

RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony

" In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics> economics, a monopsony (from

ncient Greek (monos) " single " + (opsônia) " purchase " ) is a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_form> market form in which only one

uyer faces many sellers. It is an example of

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperfect_competition> imperfect competition,

imilar to a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly> monopoly, in which

nly one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or

ervice, the " monopsonist " may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same

anner that a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolist> monopolist controls

he market for its buyers. "

and

The lower employment and wage caused by monopsony power has two distinct

ffects on the economic welfare of the people involved. First, it

edistributes welfare away from workers and to their employer(s). Secondly,

t reduces the aggregate (or social) welfare enjoyed by both groups taken

ogether, as the employers' net gain is smaller than the loss inflicted on

orkers. "

ick Hillyer,PT

r. Hillyer, PT,DPT,MBA,MSM

illyer Consulting

ape Coral, FL 33914

_____

From: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf

f

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:58 PM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

----- Original Message -----

rom: Wood, Kerry R.

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:21 AM

ubject: RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

A Single payer health plan in Vermont will also affect Physical Therapists

orking in facility based practices such as hospitals, SNFs, home health

gencies. All will be impacted. Vermont Medicaid reimbursement rates do not

eet costs now...we have significant concerns with a single payer model run

y the state government system, and wonder if it is truly possible. The

egislation which passed in Vermont does not address how this system will be

aid for; small and large businesses, private citizens,and hospital systems

re requesting more information and details so we can attempt to be

roactive and make somewhat informed choices...

ou are correct , we as a profession have issues now...and they shall

ecome even more challenging in the very near future!

ow is the time to become active members of your professional organizations,

evelop relationships with your state and national legislative

epresentatives, become informed, share knowledge and experience and BE

NVOLVED!

hanks

erry

Kerry R. Wood, PT, DPT

herapy Manager

AHC IP Rehab Therapies

olchester, VT 05446

02-847-3942 Fax:

ww.fletcherallen.org

Life is Precious.....LIVE IT!!

-----Original Message-----

rom: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com> ] On

ehalf Of jonmarkpleasant

ent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 9:46 AM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

ttp://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and

he PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

ow......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

ethodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

our location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

roup.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to

ur professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model

ractices. The description of PTManager group includes the following:

PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

essages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

PTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

TManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/

[Guest guest]

All recipients of third-party payments feel the pain Jim describes, and have

therefore wished, as he says, " ...to see some consistency in the rules and

regulations involved in the payer system. " But we must be careful what we wish

for. " Consistency " has a serious devil attached to it, and that is the loss of

individualized care. All systems narrow choices. All systems tend to slot

people. All systems make individuals subject to the big, and really, when you

think about it, that is the root of providers' (and patients') pain-interference

with judgment and desires by outsiders who do not, cannot, understand the

particulars of a situation.

I believe most therapists enjoy working with people far more than policy and

procedure manuals. Certainly individuals do not appreciate having their futures

dictated by any sort of bureaucracy. For that reason we ought to set our sights

higher than merely shaving the rougher edges from a rotten system, and instead

fight to give patients complete freedom to choose providers THEY want. Consumer

desires are always the best determinant of what the marketplace should look

like. Support real, honest, unfettered, Healthcare Savings Accounts.

Dave Milano, PT, Rehabilitation Director

Laurel Health System

________________________________

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

JHall49629@...

Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2011 11:06 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

I do not feel any of us would like to see a single payer health care system, nor

would we want to see a single provider health care system. But I do believe that

we would all like to see some consistency in the rules and regulations involved

in the payer system. Right now the legislature in all 50 states favors the money

trail and I believe that trail leads back to the insurers. Until the provider

side of the equation is willing to organize and finance an effort, I cannot see

positive change in the payer system, reimbursement process or the medical

policies that continue to be heaped upon the providers. While I have mentioned

before that I am not a therapist, practically everyone reading this post has an

opportunity to affect change through some professional organization. Here's my

2c plugging the APTA, ASHA and AOTA. If you are not a member, now would be a

good time to consider it. While I do not know what the annual cost is, I expect

it is probably less than a meal out once a month at a chain restaurant.

I was able to attend PPS in Washington DC last fall. One of the keynote speakers

was Patch . Not only was he inspirational, he really nailed it when he

discussed the reality of our current healthcare system. An employer can have an

aging employment base of workers and wind up easily paying $1,000 per month per

employee to cover healthcare costs. Consider your local area. If everyone were

to bypass their insurance companies and pay premiums to the local healthcare

system/hospital, $1,000 per month times 1,000 people equals $1 million a month.

In a year, over $12 million would be injected into your local community provider

network. Could a new hospital be built and staffing be provided? Could there be

more than 1,000 covered lives in your backyard? And that doesn't include what

patients are charged for coinsurance or deductibles.

Interesting thought process that Patch has..., he is such a rebel!

No saying his idea is the answer, but it really causes me to stop and think

about our process and how it could be changed for the better.

Jim <///><

RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopsony

" In <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economics> economics, a monopsony (from

ncient Greek (monos) " single " + (opsônia) " purchase " ) is a

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_form> market form in which only one

uyer faces many sellers. It is an example of

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperfect_competition> imperfect competition,

imilar to a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly> monopoly, in which

nly one seller faces many buyers. As the only purchaser of a good or

ervice, the " monopsonist " may dictate terms to its suppliers in the same

anner that a <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopolist> monopolist controls

he market for its buyers. "

and

The lower employment and wage caused by monopsony power has two distinct

ffects on the economic welfare of the people involved. First, it

edistributes welfare away from workers and to their employer(s). Secondly,

t reduces the aggregate (or social) welfare enjoyed by both groups taken

ogether, as the employers' net gain is smaller than the loss inflicted on

orkers. "

ick Hillyer,PT

r. Hillyer, PT,DPT,MBA,MSM

illyer Consulting

ape Coral, FL 33914

_____

From: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>] On Behalf

f

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:58 PM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Re: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

FWIW, here's an article related to the Vermont universal healthcare issue.

http://www.avaresearch.com/article_details-769.html

, PT, OCS

----- Original Message -----

rom: Wood, Kerry R.

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 9:21 AM

ubject: RE: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

A Single payer health plan in Vermont will also affect Physical Therapists

orking in facility based practices such as hospitals, SNFs, home health

gencies. All will be impacted. Vermont Medicaid reimbursement rates do not

eet costs now...we have significant concerns with a single payer model run

y the state government system, and wonder if it is truly possible. The

egislation which passed in Vermont does not address how this system will be

aid for; small and large businesses, private citizens,and hospital systems

re requesting more information and details so we can attempt to be

roactive and make somewhat informed choices...

ou are correct , we as a profession have issues now...and they shall

ecome even more challenging in the very near future!

ow is the time to become active members of your professional organizations,

evelop relationships with your state and national legislative

epresentatives, become informed, share knowledge and experience and BE

NVOLVED!

hanks

erry

Kerry R. Wood, PT, DPT

herapy Manager

AHC IP Rehab Therapies

olchester, VT 05446

02-847-3942 Fax:

ww.fletcherallen.org

Life is Precious.....LIVE IT!!

-----Original Message-----

rom: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

mailto:PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com> ] On

ehalf Of jonmarkpleasant

ent: Saturday, May 28, 2011 9:46 AM

o: PTManager <mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:PTManager%40yahoogroups.com>

ubject: Vermont: Single-payer health care provider.

Article link:

ttp://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/may/27/again-vermont-blazes-trail/

Any guesses as to how this will impact reimbursement rates, salaries, and

he PT private practice owners?

As it relates to reimbursement of our services, I can hear it right

ow......Take it or leave it.

If you think we as a profession have issues now........Just wait!

Jon Mark Pleasant

ethodist Medical Center

------------------------------------

In ALL messages to PTManager you must identify yourself, your discipline and

our location or else your message will not be approved to send to the full

roup.

Physician Self Referal/Referral for Profit {POPTS} is a serious threat to

ur professions. PTManager is not available to support POPTS-model

ractices. The description of PTManager group includes the following:

PTManager believes in and supports Therapist-owned Therapy Practices ONLY "

essages relating to " how to set up a POPTS " will not be approved

PTManager encourages participation in your professional association. Join

PTA, AOTA or ASHA and participate now!

Follow Kovacek, PT on Facebook or Twitter.

TManager blog: http://ptmanager.posterous.com/