My wife couldn't shake a cough and woke up pretty bad this morning.
5 minutes to CVS - Minute Clinic. She signed in, 15 minutes later diagnosed with bronchitis - $59 flat as published right on the wall - got the Amoxicillin and Albuterol and out the door back home.
No calling the doctor and seeing if he could see her today. No showing up to the cattle call and waiting an hour and a half - no waiting for the "re-priced" bill to come in the mail 3 weeks later showing that I owed "$168."
Done, over. When it's this simple why does it have to be complicated.
------------------------------------ Health Insurance Agents: Training, Support, Discounts, E&O for $440 www.ihiaa.com
I went to a Redi Clinic (same setup) last Friday for a cough and what have you... Prescribed the wrong drug, still coughing, and now I need to see my regular doctor.
The nurse practitioner (not doctor) gave me Allegra for an upper respiratory infection.
I would say something bad - but my family doctor has prescribed me wrong in the past as well. It is really nothing more than a guessing game anyhow.
I do agree with the promptness of service, my doctor over books and I would have a 2 hour wait. No thanks.
Ironically these clinics have hardly any network contracts, most are cash and carry.
I went to a Redi Clinic (same setup) last Friday for a cough and what have you... Prescribed the wrong drug, still coughing, and now I need to see my regular doctor.
The nurse practitioner (not doctor) gave me Allegra for an upper respiratory infection.
I would say something bad - but my family doctor has prescribed me wrong in the past as well. It is really nothing more than a guessing game anyhow.
I do agree with the promptness of service, my doctor over books and I would have a 2 hour wait. No thanks.
Ironically these clinics have hardly any network contracts, most are cash and carry.
Around 8 years ago my face started to redden - had a HMO through work. She prescribed Metrogel which has a steroid. I applied it and it was like someone put a blow torch to my face.
Went back and got her to write a referral. Diagnosed with very mild acne rosacea. First thing she said is never use any meds that contains a steroid since it'll inflame the condition.
Interesting
It did not touch on if the mini clinic were filing claims with the insurance companies. I am sure it would be cheaper for them if they leave it up to the insured to file for a reinbursement.
While there are NO "minute clinics" in my area, I did have a similar (positive) experience with a local Urgent Care visit. While out cutting down some trees and clearing a fence row I came in contact with poison ivy. 48 hours later I am covered in the stuff; itching like the house is on fire.
Not one to hardly ever see a Dr., calling to get into a Dr's office isn't easy if you aren't a current patient. So I went to the UrgCare and within 20 mins I was seen, and out the door with a presciption for treatment in hand; (steroid). $ 35 co-pay with the ins plan that we have...
Couldn't have been better. The PI was under control within days.
The next fence row that needs clearing will be contracted out to the lowest bidder. (itch, itch).
What I'm a fan of is the pricing disclosure. Getting a condition treated is arguably the only time you owe without pricing disclosure.
I broke my arm and need to go to the ER. Ok...what is it - $200 or $3,000?
The UrgCare's posted pricing for a visit was $ 85.00. I did question the attendant and she said that any other services were extra. Not sure what that means... check weight, BP, bandaid, etc... or does that refer to lab work, et al...? I do think that they have it detailed and spec'd out, much like taking your auto in for flat-rate repair work... but I wasn't curious enough to find out.
In my case due to excellent group coverage by Anthem (thanks to my wife's employ), the co-pay for service was 35 bucks... No other services rendered, as the assistant or nurse and even the Doc wouldn't get near me (no touchy) due to the nature of illness; poison ivy. In fact it was the ten foot pole treatment for sure... all good by me... just give me the slip for the meds and I am good to go.
A lot of this is as simple as getting the script. When my son had an ear infection I didn't monkey around with his pediatrician. Heck, even I knew what it was.
Off to Nighttime Pediatrics - out and back in an hour with the meds.
When you talk about pricing and having a menu for it with the providers:
This is the next step that a few carriers are working on.
Its a menu to where you can go online and see what that provider charges after the network discount. The doctors are not really wanting this to be aviable to the consumer.
This menu is really being driven by the HSA plans.
Minute Clinic
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