Low Cost Health Care (San Antonio, Anton: low income, health insurance, calculation)

[CD's Only Mrs. X]

Hi SA CD Friends!

Its been awhile since I have posted. I have been very very busy but I came across something on Kens 5 that caught my interest. Occasional we get people asking about low cost health care, insurance and alternatives in SA and I thought this Kens 5 video would help out. I think it is great and I wish more doctors in the SA area and surrounding counties become proactive by providing such an alternative.

S.A. doctors offering health plans without the financial ouch | kens5.com San Antonio

All the best!

Mrs. X

Moderator cut: see comment

[jons_wifey]

the article lacks details smh

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by jons_wifey

the article lacks details smh

The video was fairly informative. If you listen carefully you can get the names of the two docs featured and try contacting them. I think it sounds pretty reasonable but you would have to make sure they can provide most of the services you think you would be needing....short of, as they said, major hospital visits, etc.

[CD's Only Mrs. X]

Originally Posted by jons_wifey

the article lacks details smh

Yes watch the video and pay no attention to the article (unfortunately the reporter got lazy). All the information is there and you can google it.

[CD's Only Mrs. X]

I have five minutes this morning. Here is a better article and the links to these doctors.

Sick of status quo, doctors test no-insurance models - San Antonio Express-News

Integrative Family Medicine | Holistic Healing for the Whole Family - Dr. Simone Norris

Business Healthcare Solutions

[jaybb]

That appears to be a "health care plan" that is for that one doctor. You pay $25 or $50 respectively for the individual doctor. He will provide all the services he does in his office. At $25 a month, that is $$300 a year. On average, I bet that his calculation for determining the appropriate cost is that the average patient will not visit him more than a few times a year and that $300 is sufficient to include a profit. But if you need to go outside of his practice to a specialist for a serious problem, that is not going to be covered. Likewise, if you are going outside his practice for a lab MRI--which typically cost over $1000--that is not covered. And no way that is going to cover hospitalization for 2 days or 10 days. Shame on the news station running this without recognizing what it is and how misleading it is to the average medical consumer.

[CD's Only Mrs. X]

Originally Posted by jaybb

That appears to be a "health care plan" that is for that one doctor. You pay $25 or $50 respectively for the individual doctor. He will provide all the services he does in his office. At $25 a month, that is $$300 a year. On average, I bet that his calculation for determining the appropriate cost is that the average patient will not visit him more than a few times a year and that $300 is sufficient to include a profit. But if you need to go outside of his practice to a specialist for a serious problem, that is not going to be covered. Likewise, if you are going outside his practice for a lab MRI--which typically cost over $1000--that is not covered. And no way that is going to cover hospitalization for 2 days or 10 days. Shame on the news station running this without recognizing what it is and how misleading it is to the average medical consumer.

I do not understand how you found it misleading when they state it clearly.

There are many people in SA who ask all the time just for a doctor to check up on them for low costs, these two doctors provide such an alternative. True if something is seriously wrong I am sure the doctors would have to recommend them to other services but when you have no insurance and have to pay out of pocket in cash most places slash the bill significantly in comparison to doing it through health insurance. I had an CT scan done when I first came to San Antonio for $360 dollars no insurance. On insurance I just received a bill for the same procedure for over $900.

My health insurance coverage has a $3000 deductible (individual each member of the family) that has to be met before they will pay out anything and give me a discount for using an in network doctor or facility. If I see a doctor every year for flu or some ailment my kids came down with or a weird pap smear result my bill with that doctor ranges from $60-360 dollars with an in network doctor. That is a lot of dosh to shell out between a family of four.

If doctors became proactive worked with hospitals and radiology services making healthcare plans instead of insurance it would be really great. People frequently come in the SA forum and tout Carelink as a low cost alternative, if doctors in SA and outlying counties embraced such a model and expanded it not just to low income families I think we would see a nice revolution in healthcare.

[L210]

This is great for people who have to regularly see the doctor. It's cheaper than Carelink if you have to see a doctor several times a year. As for me, I only go to the doctor once a year if at all, so I'd rather just pay out of pocket.

[nismospec]

I think it's great for the younger generation who are facing a difficult economy. If they don't have the privilege of being on their parent's insurance, then a common sinus infection that needs treatment could run you $80-$100 at a local med-clinic.

This option is cheaper and gives you a one to one relationship with a Dr. versus seeing a different one every time at a med-clinic.

Props to the Dr's who recognize there are those who are in need that don't have the money.

[sapphire]

As usual, people balk at paying monthly for something they may or may not use.

If I didn't have health insurance through my employer I would definitely appreciate this. Many dr's have labs and x-ray capabilities right in their clinics. $25 or $50 a month is not going to cover a hospital stay (and that was made crystal clear in the report) but I think what these docs are offering is a good plan. You don't like it? Don't sign up for it.

And shame on the doctor for expecting to make a living. (heavy heavy sarcasm)