South Portland doctor stops accepting insurance, posts prices online

[CuteOldGuy]

Maybe there’s a silver lining to Obamacare if more doctors follow the lead of this fellow in Maine. I pray that they do.

Dr. Michael Ciampi is able to charge half of what he used to charge for his services now that the red tape and general pain of dealing with deeply regulated insurance companies has been eliminated. He figures that the hassle is only going to get worse with Obamacare, so he has decided to go another route.

Let’s see how long it takes for the insurance companies and government to move against doctors choosing to do business this way. Here's the article:

Dr. Michael Ciampi took a step this spring that many of his fellow physicians would describe as radical.

The family physician stopped accepting all forms of health insurance. In early 2013, Ciampi sent a letter to his patients informing them that he would no longer accept any kind of health coverage, both private and government-sponsored. Given that he was now asking patients to pay for his services out of pocket, he posted his prices on the practice’s website.

The change took effect April 1.

“It’s been almost unanimous that patients have expressed understanding at why I’m doing what I’m doing, although I’ve had many people leave the practice because they want to be covered by insurance, which is understandable,” Ciampi said.

Before the switch, Ciampi had about 2,000 patients. He lost several hundred, he said. Some patients with health coverage, faced with having to seek reimbursement themselves rather than through his office, bristled at the paperwork burden.

But the decision to do away with insurance allows Ciampi to practice medicine the way he sees fit, he said. Insurance companies no longer dictate how much he charges. He can offer discounts to patients struggling with their medical bills. He can make house calls.

“I’m freed up to do what I think is right for the patients,” Ciampi said. “If I’m providing them a service that they value, they can pay me, and we cut the insurance out as the middleman and cut out a lot of the expense.”

Ciampi expects more doctors will follow suit. Some may choose to run “concierge practices” in which patients pay to keep a doctor on retainer, he said.

Gordon Smith, a spokesman for the Maine Medical Association, wasn’t so sure, saying most patients either want to use the insurance they pay for or need to rely on Medicare and Medicaid.

Even with the loss of some patients, Ciampi expects his practice to perform just as well financially, if not better, than before he ditched insurance. The new approach will likely attract new patients who are self-employed, lack insurance or have high-deductible plans, he said, because Ciampi has slashed his prices.

“I’ve been able to cut my prices in half because my overhead will be so much less,” he said.

Before, Ciampi charged $160 for an office visit with an existing patient facing one or more complicated health problems. Now, he charges $75.

Patients with an earache or strep throat can spend $300 at their local hospital emergency room, or promptly get an appointment at his office and pay $50, he said.

Ciampi collects payment at the end of the visit, freeing him of the time and costs associated with sending bills, he said.

That time is crucial to Ciampi. When his patients come to his office, they see him, not a physician’s assistant or a nurse practitioner, he said.

“If more doctors were able to do this, that would be real health care reform,” he said. “That’s when we’d see the cost of medicine truly go down.”

Now THIS is revolutionary!!

http://bangordailynews.com/2013/05/2...prices-online/

[Yssup Rider]

Nothing new.

[IIFFOFRDB]

This is what we need. Along with catastrophic insurance. REPEAL Obromancecare!!!

[CJ7]

Hey Doc, I have a bad cold, and two chickens ..



Be right over.

[Whirlaway]

Here is his rate sheet:

http://www.ciampifamilypractice.com/Our_Prices.html

[timpage]

Oh, I just bet families are flocking to his medical practice so they can pay cash for his services instead of using their health insurance. Doesn't that sound attractive to everyone on here? Instead of using the health insurance you pay for or that comes along with your job, you should not use that....go and pay cash instead. What a good idea!

[Whirlaway]

Typical liberal response............Timmyboy thinks consumers having more choices and options (such as paying directly for services) is a terrible idea that should be mocked............

His very response speaks to his own ignorance; of course people who have co-pays or other insurance plans wouldn't seek out this type of service,, but there are many others who have no insurance, want to pay cash,have very high deductibles, or many other reasons to use this type of provider.

Originally Posted by timpage

Oh, I just bet families are flocking to his medical practice so they can pay cash for his services instead of using their health insurance. Doesn't that sound attractive to everyone on here? Instead of using the health insurance you pay for or that comes along with your job, you should not use that....go and pay cash instead. What a good idea!

[CJ7]

he's been in business 17 years and has more than one office, chances are hes about ready to need a reason to retire

[Whirlaway]

Or driven out by Obamacare..................... ...the administrative paperwork alone will be a burden to small practitioners.

Contrary to Timmyboy's un-informed opinion, the doctor must be doing very well, and people are using his services.

Proof, lefties are ignorant on matters of the economy and economics.............no wonder Obama is such a disaster for America.

Originally Posted by CJ7

he's been in business 17 years and has more than one office, chances are hes about ready to need a reason to retire

[Yssup Rider]

dear asshole ... Obamacare doesn't kick in for another year.

the increase in paperwork began with managed care in the 1980s.

[CuteOldGuy]

His prices look pretty reasonable to me. If you've got insurance with a low deductible, and a doctor willing to take it, use it. If not, I'd go to this guy. He's able to concentrate on medicine, more than getting the codes right.

I like his style!

[timpage]

Originally Posted by Whirlaway

Or driven out by Obamacare..................... ...the administrative paperwork alone will be a burden to small practitioners.

Contrary to Timmyboy's un-informed opinion, the doctor must be doing very well, and people are using his services.

Proof, lefties are ignorant on matters of the economy and economics.............no wonder Obama is such a disaster for America.

As usual, you're a fucking idiot. Let me think....I can go to the doctor and let my health insurance pay for it. Or, I can go to my doctor and pay $300 cash for the visit. Which do you pick?

[Whirlaway]

Timmyboy shows his ignorance, again.....he thinks all of America has $20 copay coverage....fucking stupid...

1. Many people have no insurance; but can afford paying for minor office visits. Not everyone without insurance goes to emergency rooms.

2. Many people have a high deductible policy; so they pay out of pocket for routine visits before coverage kicks in. A cash for service provider makes it much affordable.

3. There is NOTHING stopping the consumer from visiting Dr. Ciampi's clinic, paying for cash, getting a receipt, then submit the expense to their insurance company for reimbursement. This is routinely done.

Little Timmyboy's comment reveals his basic ignorance of the issue.

Fucking idiot......FACT JACK !

Originally Posted by timpage

As usual, you're a fucking idiot. Let me think....I can go to the doctor and let my health insurance pay for it. Or, I can go to my doctor and pay $300 cash for the visit. Which do you pick?

[Guest040616]

Originally Posted by Whirlaway

FACT JACK !

Wisconsin and America are NOT Trending Romney. FACT JACK!

[Whirlaway]

Again BigKotex?

I was more accurate in saying what the polls were saying at the time; but you looked downright stupid when you said Romney couldn't win the GOP nomination...........how did that prediction work out for you ?