Making Healthcare Even More Expensive

Our family makes many trips to the doctor.  Mainly these appointments are for the kids.  Every three months we see the endocrinologist.  The allergy/asthma doctor is another favorite and all 3 kids now see him too.  Then we visit the pediatrician at least yearly and others including the ophthalmologist and gastroenterologist.  Having children with chronic illnesses and pre-existing conditions causes us to make decisions differently than if they didn't.  For example, before ever seriously considering taking a job my husband has to find out all the details of what the healthcare insurance would be.  We must know co-pays not only for office visits and prescriptions but for pump supplies and test strips.  All of this is very expensive.

Yesterday I got a letter in the mail from my primary care doctor, an internal medicine specialist.  It said that he is partnering with a company called MDVIP.  This will allow him to spend more time with each patient by reducing his practice size.  Also, they appear to be emphasizing disease prevention and a wellness program using advanced technology.  Sound good?  Great!  The annual fee for this wonderful program is $1650.  $1650 above and beyond what we pay into our health insurance.  $137.50/month!!  Don't forget that's per person, so for my husband and I both to be exclusive members that would be $275/month.

Is this where medicine is going?  Doctors now aren't making enough from our health insurance so now they want to charge us a membership fee to have the privilege of going to see him?  It definitely will cut down the size of his practice.  Only the most well-off people could even begin to afford this.  That will assure him that no bill should go late and he can buy that bigger house or fancier car.

Yesterday I was shocked.  Last night I was offended.  Today I am just plain mad.  This guy is a fine doctor.  Fine, not excellent or even great.I wouldn't do this even if we had a slight chance of being able to afford it.  It sickens me to think that there are some people who will sign up for this pleasure.  If you are interested in finding out more about this, click here.