I am switching over from an insurance practice to a cash practice. Do you have a letter that can be used to announce this policy change to my patients?

My Response:

Dear Patient:

I've struggled over this for months. So, here goes.

Beginning February 2, 2004 I will no longer be taking insurance assignment. That is, I can no longer process your insurance as part of my practice. Instead, we will be rolling back the clock almost two decades and accepting fee for service: cash, check and credit card.

In the olden days, we handled the insurance paperwork for our patients as a "personal service." Patients appreciated the fact that we would take care of their health and all the paperwork. All they had to do was meet a deductible amount and come up with a modest co-payment. After a month or so, the insurance company paid us and all was well.

Then things changed.

Nowadays, when we submit insurance claims for our patients, the delays, foot dragging and stalling techniques pale in comparison to the "claims adjusting" that arbitrarily cut my paycheck by as much as 60%! But what can I do? Your insurance policy is an agreement between you and them. By doing you a favor, they cut my bill. Hmm. That's not how this is supposed to work.

So, beginning in February we'll being supplying you with the documents you'll need to receive reimbursement from your insurance company. And rather than months, you're likely to be paid in weeks! And instead of your $100 claim being arbitrarily reduced to $62.37, you're more likely to be reimbursed in full. So, you'll still benefit from the coverage of your policy (as limited as it is), you'll be the one dropping it in the mail, instead of me. After all, it's your policy, not mine.

This really isn't a big deal. But it is a major departure from the "way we've always done it." Most people are threatened by change. I'm energized by it.

We'll still be offering annual care plans ($000), along with an affordable fee for those who prefer to come in on a per-visit basis ($00) and everything in between. Obviously, we'll still accept Medicare, but our primary focus will be working with people who want to optimize their health, and know the value of it.

Whew! That wasn't so bad!

Please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.

Warmest regards,

Bill