Dooley Noted: 1/31/15
I am a chiropractor who is out of network for insurances.
I do this because I don’t spend 10 minutes with you, which is the amount covered by most insurance.
I spend a minimum of 45 minutes with you.
I don’t charge a copay.
I’m completely committed to the few that decide to hire me for help as a catalyst to recovery.
But I’m deemed as expensive.
After all, I’m not in-network.
So, my patients tend to find me after other in-network avenues of failure.
I’ll provide a prototype.
Patient pays a $40 copay for a diagnosis from an orthopedist.
Patient receives a diagnosis based more upon imaging than an actual exam.
Patient visits an in-network manual therapist 3 times a week, for 8 weeks.
Each visit is a steal at $30 for each copay.
I’m not great at math, so it helps me to break it down on paper.
$30 X 3 times a week = $90
$90 x 8 weeks = $720
Add the initial diagnosis ($40)
Total = $760
That’s quite an expensive output, based largely on a radiographic finding.
With solid insurance benefits, that is $760 spent, with limited understanding of what’s happening.
And more times than not, the patient has the same level of pain as when he started.
For the amount he spent over those 8 weeks, he could have seen me four times.
He’d see me less, and he’d get more.
My perceived value is more expensive, I suppose. After all, I’m out of network!
Sometimes, the patient has endured something much more drastic.
Sometimes the patient experienced a smooth-talking, hot-shot surgeon with a new technique to try.
The surgeon seduces a patient into thinking these nuts and bolts will restore the function of the faulty anatomy.
So, in go the screws – and out go the dollars.
As the patient molds around his new bionic anatomy, all new aches and pains show up.
And more times than not, the original pain persists.
Many of these procedures are elective and cost patients tens of thousands of dollars.
One of my patients maxed her credit cards, putting $15,000 down for a surgery she was frightened into having.
I’m not blaming anyone for thinking they know what’s best for the patient.
But I’m telling you straight up that I certainly don’t.
The patient knows what is best for the patient. The patient is scared by pain. He can’t think for himself. So, he looks to his white-coated experts for guidance.
Instead of calming the patient’s fears, some doctors use fear to fill expensive agendas they may even believe.
But if you’re considering care like what I provide, please know this.
My care is absolutely the least expensive.
My care has you spending maximal time, with someone giving you undivided attention.
My care is the toughest to convince you that it works, because it highly relies on your own capabilities.
I have no fancy shots nor innovative surgical techniques.
I will not use incredible imaging devices to show you how your anatomy has changed.
I have no expensive lasers to magically heal you.
I know the power of your ability to heal yourself.
I’m your catalyst for hire.
And in the long run, I’ll save you a fortune.
As always, it’s your call.
– Dr. Kathy Dooley