Dr. Becky's Article

HEALTH CARE YOU CAN AFFORD

June 29, 2009, This article was written by John G. Gomez, M.D., FAAEM

The “healthcare crisis” that we face today is not one that happened overnight. One might be convinced otherwise when they turn on the news to see the mad scramble in both houses of Congress and President Obama persistently pushing for reform. The issue is quite a complex one, and no matter on what side of the aisle you lean toward, it is clear that we have some problems. The scope of the issue is far too large for me to discuss short of writing a textbook (coming soon to a Barnes & Nobles near you).

Cost containment in the late 1980s and early 1990s in the form of HMOs certainly was not popular with the majority of Americans (certainly not in Texas!). There have been some exceptions to the rule where HMO systems are liked and respected (such as Scott & White based in Temple, Texas). We Americans like seeing the doctor when we need to and rationed care by any name will likely never be a popular option.

The citizens of Highland Village, Flower Mound, Lantana, and close by exburbs from Double Oak to Argyle certainly have many options for their healthcare. Since we are an affluent community of good hard working people, most of us have employer sponsored insurance. Unfortunately, the cost of healthcare keeps rising and the premiums that our employers pay goes up. To make matters worse, the amounts the third party insurance pays when we visit the doctor keeps going down. For those of you who are self-employed you may have found anything short of catastrophic coverage completely unaffordable, if not outright outrageous.

If things were not bad enough already with our employer sponsored system, we have a national recession that has been causing hardship even in our local community. Although Texas has been spared the brunt, most of the clients I talk to feel its effects, some more than others. Many patients that had insurance are going without, and those that do have insurance have naturally chosen the least expensive option which leaves them “underinsured.”

Everyone at Rapid Med from the front staff to the providers have felt the difference in attitudes towards insurance mandated deductibles and co-pays since we opened in October 2006.  We have seen the depression and frustration that accompanies unemployment or fear of it. I certainly do not know how long the recession will last, or what the final construct of “health-care reform” will look like, but I do know that things will improve.  

In the meanwhile Rapid Med wants to ease the pain for those in between jobs or those who have been priced out of the insurance market. We have simplified our fee schedules for those patients without any insurance coverage. The prices are based on absolute “cost” without the artificial prices the past 40 years have induced. The fee schedule is transparent and is given to patients as they register so there will be no surprises during checkout. While we have bills to pay as well and we cannot offer services for “free,” prices are very reasonable. All the employees at Rapid Med hope that this bridge will offer an alternative for those of us in between a rock and a hard place while “the smart ones” in Congress iron something out. If you have any questions feel free to call us at anytime.

As a parting remark, I would like to instill hope in our incredible community. We have a collection of hard- working professionals that it has been our pleasure to serve for nearly three years. Your industriousness and fortitude will keep the community strong and vibrant, regardless what happens on the national stage. Please do yourself a favor and turn the news off and spend time with your family & friends. Have a safe summer!