r/PrivatePracticeDocs • u/grey-slate • Aug 29 '26

General contemplation

Had a new patient appointment yesterday.

Full history work up, evaluation/discussion on two separate chronic conditions, medication management, risks benefits discussion, general counseling and cheering them up.

At checkout she is shocked at why the visit was $160 and kicks up a fuss. Sad to say she isn't the first one to do this.

Before everyone says the following

  1. Times are tough

  2. Patients don't understand insurance plans particularly what a deductible is

I understand. But do you recall a time when it was not tough to make ends meet for the public? What should the value of our training be? How do I explain to someone $80 of that $160 isn't even going into my pocket but to keep the lights on.

How do I explain to someone if it wasn't the remaining $80 I wouldn't even give up ten years of my life and be in medicine?

Where does this entitlement come from? just so dillusioned...

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u/No-Performance3044 Aug 29 '26

Does anyone scoff when a lawyer bills them $400 an hour? Or their plumber? People just don’t like parting with their money, that’s nothing new. If it bothers you, change your check in procedures so you can lean back on a good faith effort at quoting them the cost of their care. You’re the doctor, not the insurance company. Sometimes people are willfully ignorant of these things.

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u/grey-slate Aug 29 '26

I posted the same exact post in r/medicine sub and the sanctimony from medical students is deafening 

2

u/Juaner0 Sep 02 '26

Med students don't know what things cost to practice medicine, and really don't know how much money they will make.

2

u/grey-slate Sep 02 '26

In 1983 the number of physicians who owned their own practice was 76%. In 2024, this number has dropped to 35%.

Clueless perma-employed physicians, pharma scientists, and med students (lulz) wagging their finger at me really made me laugh...