Value…Do You Get What You Pay For?

I think more than ever folks are in-tune with “value.” But do they consider it with their health care? What is the most important part of a visit with your health care practitioner (HCP)? Are they on time? Do they spend time with you? Do they explain your treatment, give great treatment, and give you the tools to help yourself?

I’m fascinated at some of the things I hear from patients about their experiences. Some include, “I waited 2 hours.” “My back hurts, but they didn’t even look at my back!” “He spent two minutes with me and never answered my questions.”  “I was left in a corner in the clinic and had to do my own thing while I waited.”

I honestly feel folks are starting to expect these experiences. It’s like we have become “brainwashed” in a sense. These stories have become so common that we think, “Well, it’s probably the norm.”

Does it have to be though?

Those are loaded questions with many factors. Honestly,  I think most HCPs (including PTs, Chiropractors, MDs, PAs, and many others) genuinely want to take time. They care, and they want to do what is best for their patients; however, there is a disconnect. Visits are getting shorter, insurance premiums are higher, waiting times are growing, and HCPs are getting paid less for what they do. That is forcing HCPs to see more patients and keep costs down. The result: less value to you, the patient. Pay more and get less.

It’s the reason I created what I did. Don’t get me wrong, there are great HCPs doing great things in the insurance-based clinic, and this blog post is by no means negating what they do. However, when patients realize they can receive an hour of time with me each visit to address their musculoskeletal condition and/or receive wellness coaching, the perceived value in that is well understood. Better yet, more time per visit means less visits to the clinic. Can I get an AMEN! It’s hard to get great outcomes spending 10 minutes with a patient each visit…it really is. I’ve been there, done that.

My treatment model does not fit with the current insurance-model PT clinic where you are often seen with multiple patients and get minimal time with an actual PT, simple as that. Folks who put value on custom, complete, timely, effective care see it.

Really, at times you pay more and actually get less? For example: If I can spend an hour with a patient and get more accomplished, I typically need to see them 3-4 times…total. Compare this to being seen 2-3 times per week and paying a $30 co-pay each visit for 4-6 weeks, sometimes more. That adds up to $450-$500. Not to mention, your insurance may not cover all the treatment. If I see a patient 3-4 times at $95 per visit a patient pays $285-$380. Plus, the patient may get some reimbursement from his/her “out of network” benefits, lessening the cost even more.

Don’t be afraid to seek quality when getting professional, medical attention. You do the same for a mechanic, landscaper, or plumber right? It’s your body we are talking about

Until next time,

Charlie Boeyink PT, MPT, OCS