06/24/2013
Dearest patient,
Again, a long overdue update….
I have tried to call each and every one of you individually over the past 6 weeks to explain to you what my new practice will be like. If I haven’t managed to connect with you, please call me so we can discuss the below at 321-285-6363.
In the midst of the health reform discussions, I am sure you are aware of the fact that the costs of delivering medical care are increasing while reimbursement rates do not keep pace with increasing expenses. Over the years I have tried to provide a very personalized and comprehensive style of practice. I believe medicine can only be practiced by having enough time to listen to your patients and really know your patients. This is my goal. This is why I went into primary care. However, this is not sustainable due to the above mentioned poor reimbursement and increasing expenses. There are many expenses that arise from meeting administrative demands that are not actually part of the delivery of medical care to my patients. For this reason, I have decided to choose a model of medicine that will involve a yearly fee. While I deeply regret the need to impose this additional expense on you, unlike some other primary care practices, I am asking a smaller fee to defray the escalating costs and poor reimbursement. Without this charge it would prohibit me from continuing to deliver the kind of medicine I believe is important and hopefully, you feel you have received and is equally important to you. I actually will limit the size of my practice to sustain and enhance my style of medicine: more time with you each visit, same day, next day visits where necessary and expectations of less waiting time for you appointment.
Compared to other concierge practices that charge upwards of $5,000/year, I have decided to charge $1500/year for similar services. This can be paid up front or in 4 payments of $400 each every 3 months. If your spouse will also be a patient, then the cost is $2600/year for both of you. If your children are also patients, they will be $1300/year until the age of 21, after which they will be charged as independent adults. Although your insurance company will not reimburse you for your annual payment, you still may be able to write off a portion of your payment on your income taxes. In addition, if your company has a Flex (Section 125) Plan or a Medical IRA, you should be able to receive reimbursement for your annual payment with “before tax dollars.” I encourage you to talk with your tax advisor and employer about these options. Please understand that I realize $1500 is a LOT of money—many of you already pay a lot for health insurance and are on a fixed income. If this model won’t work for you, I have a few names of doctors as an alternative.
This yearly fee is for services not covered by any insurance plans:
1. After hours email/cell phone contact with Dr.Doshi
2. Same day or next day appointments
3. Patient educational materials prepared by the doctor
4. Dedicated support personnel
5. Expedited referrals with specialists
6. Secure internet patient portal for communication with staff/doctor
7. Unhurried office visits
8. Nutrition/Fitness Consultations
9. Same Day Prescription Renewals
10. Prompt telephone feedback for test results.
11. Phones answered by attentive staff who know you personally
12. Annual preventive physical exam if not covered by your insurance
With the above services as standard of care, I can provide each and every one of you with an individualized health care regimen that focuses on preventative care. The yearly fee will insulate you and I from future changes in the health-care system. Please peruse the below articles so you can better understand the benefits to you of such a system:
1. http://hni.com/blog/bid/71310/Concierge-Medicine-101-The-Facts-on-this-Innovative-Benefits-Strategy
2. http://www.forbes.com/sites/paulhsieh/2013/03/27/is-concierge-medicine-the-correct-choice-for-you/
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concierge_medicine
4. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/why-concierge-medicine-will-get-bigger-2013-01-17
5. http://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-01-2013/boutique-doctors.html
6. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-20/about-half-of-doctors-say-they-re-burned-out-by-workload.html
7.http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2013/01/30/1-in-10-doctor-practices-flee-medicare-to-concierge-medicine/
8.http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443768804578034172542214016.html
Please personally call me at 321-285-6363 if you have ANY questions I can answer. Again, please understand how hard it was for me to decide on this model with all that you have been through in the last 6 months. I am quickly learning that my situation was not a unique one and the future of primary care is quickly changing. With all of those changes forthcoming, I want the art of medicine to remain as it used to be, with the practice of medicine as it should be.....
If you have already requested your records be sent to me and are going to establish with another doctor, you will be able to pick up your chart after July 1st.
My new practice details are as follows:
Winter Park Primary Care**
Neha Doshi, MD
1341 Orange Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789
Ph (321) 285-6363
Fax (321) 282-6176
www.nehadoshi.com
**The office is at the corner of Orange Ave and 17/92 b/w Jewett Clinic and Einstein Brothers Bagels, in the same building as Dr.William House.
Warmest Regards,
Neha Doshi, MD
If you don’t choose, the choice will be made for you.
