September
25, 2003
Dear patient with Choice Care (Humana,
Employers, etc.) insurance:
On November
08, 2003
my contract with Choice Care will be terminated at my request. The reimbursement rate from this for-profit
insurer is not feasible. I can not afford
to provide you the time or the quality of care I believe you deserve with the
contractual discounts of this insurance company.
The influence that your insurance company has
on our visits is now affecting the way I am caring for you. I am in the uncomfortable position of
choosing to care enough to spend an adequate amount of time and resources to
help you versus cutting corners, limiting your care, or becoming worried about
financial realities and responsibilities.
Superficial, rushed, recurrent crisis-oriented appointments are not what
I am passionate about. My only concern,
for which I took an oath, has been and will continue is to use whatever
resources to provide what is best for you.
I know that we share the belief that you choose my office for health care. I am not going to compromise you or
myself.
This decision was not easy for us. We know it may place additional burdens on
you, but it has to be done in order for you to get the time and care it takes
to make a difference. Switching to a high
deductible policy may actually save money.
Some policies are only administered by Choice Care (called third party
administrators that simply write the checks on behalf of an insurance carrier)
and do not fall under Choice Care’s contract; these may not be impacted at
all. Most of you are seen only a few
times in a year and so the change will hopefully be minimal. Do respect that providing care whether it be
through e-mail, telephone, or in person takes time, economizing through
deferred office visits has limits.
For those of you who continue with Choice
Care, I am going to be upfront now about how we will operate. Without exception, the visits must be paid in
full at the time of service (a current fee schedule of common charges is listed
below). Once you have paid, we will give
you a superbill or HCFA insurance claim to submit to Choice Care for
re-imbursement. We will not justify to
Choice Care why I spent time with you, why I ordered what I thought you needed,
why nutrition and lifestyle choices were chosen over medications, etc. The information you want them to have will be
your responsibility. Too much time is
being used on paperwork that has nothing to do with your health.
It is not clear how much Choice Care will
cover when you are seen here in a non-participating provider’s office. I hope that they will make it feasible for
you. The whole insurance situation has
become a frustrating and disappointing experience for both the consumer and the
health care provider. Please do not ask
us to what insurance plan to switch, your insurance broker or human resources
personnel are better able to guide you in this regard. We continue to participate in Cigna, Blue
Shield, CCN, First Health, and PacifiCare as of this writing.
We value you as a patient and want you to stay
with our practice. Call if you have
questions.
Jeremy
E. Kaslow, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.A.A.I.
Initial Visit: $290.00
20” Follow-Up: $135.00
Metabolic Assessment
via urine $20.00
Nutritional ACG: $30.00
(see my web site for what this identifies…)
Body Composition
Assessment $30.00
(see my web site for what this identifies…)
Nervous System
Assessment (HRV) $30.00
(see my web site for what this identifies…)
Lab Review: $20.00
(get results without an in-office consultation)
Phone Consult: $60-135.00
Physical Therapy: $125.00/hour or
as allowed
