Doctors dump health insurance plans, charge patients less

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WICHITA, Kan., June 14 (UPI) -- A Kansas physician says he makes the same income and offers better quality care to his patients after he dumped all health insurance companies. Thirty-two-year old family physician Doug Nunamaker of Wichita, Kan., said after five years of dealing with the red tape of health insurance companies and the high overhead for the staff he hired just to deal with paperwork, he switched to a system of charging his patients a monthly fee plus the price of an office visit or test, CNN/Money reported. For example, under Nunamaker's membership plan -- also known as "concierge" medicine or "direct primary care" practices -- each patient pays a flat monthly fee to have unlimited access to the doctors and any medical service they can provide in the practice, such as stitches or an EKG. For adults up to age 44, Nunamaker charges $50 a month, pediatric services are $10 a month, and for adults age 44 and older it costs $100 a month. Although Nunamaker calls the practice "cash-only," he accepts credit and debit cards for the fees and services.

There now look at how the Free-Market deals with our health care crisis. Isn't this much smarter than letting Washington dictate everything about your life and having the IRS hounding you for all of your financial details to ensure compliance with the mandated plan? I would absolutely prefer something like this over what is beinng forced upon us by the regime.

Nunamaker and his partner negotiated deals for services outside the office. A cholesterol test costs the patient for $3, versus the $90 or more billed to insurance companies; an MRI can cost $400, compared with $2,000 or more billed to insurance companies.

This shows you the effect of government and insurance corporations on our health care. They avoid all of the compliance costs and stupid govorporation rules and just provide needed services. This is what should be.

reply to post by DarthMuerte


My Dr has always charged me less if I pay cash/debt card, instead using my insurance.He says that way he saves by not having to pay someone to file and keep track of insurance payments and so one.At one point ,when my kids were younger and at home it was cheaper for me to pay cash rather than pay monthly premiums on a family plan.

insurance is and has always been a scam

on a side note:
my employer has bought a health care clinic fully staffed .
Now does not cost me or my wife a thing to go to, including meds
yes I still have to pay weekly insurance prems and yes I can still go to any Dr I wish ,but work clinic is free

It sounds like a new medical, regional provider co-op that manages most family health care. Problem is it can't handle catastrophic long care.

Originally posted by Skydancer
It sounds like a new medical, regional provider co-op that manages most family health care. Problem is it can't handle catastrophic long care.

True, and the article mentions that if you read it. However, catastrophic insurance plans are MUCH cheaper. So you definitely save money in the long and short runs.

It seems like a good idea; however, my health insurance pays for primary care physicians, specialists, diagnostics, ER visits, surgery, Rx, etc....

This "concierge" plan is only good for one doctor with limited expertise and ability.

No thanks, this isn't for me.

reply to post by deadcatsrule

I agree 100%. All insurances are a scam imo. Especially health and car insurance. I have been paying car insurance premiums for over 30 years. That money has just been flushed straight down the commode for all the good it has done me.