While running an all-cash practice--or one that doesn't accept health insurance--allows doctors to charge what they're worth, physicians must balance that benefit against the harsh reality that they can't treat patients on Medicaid, writes Ashley Maltz, M.D., an integrative medicine physician, in a KevinMD.com blog post.
Working as a salaried physician was "comfortable," she writes, but running her own cash-only practice allows Maltz to be the "doctor [she's] always dreamed of being," according to her commentary.
Here are some of the benefits of running an all-cash practice, according to her blog post:
More time with patients. Maltz says one of the greatest benefits of running her own practice is she has more face-time with patients, which translates into having a greater impact on their lives.
Less time spent documenting care. Maltz relishes the fact that she doesn't have to write notes to satisfy the needs of insurance companies.
Price transparency. Passionate that running a cash-only practice brings transparency to medicine, Maltz says her patients always know what they'll be charged when they come to her practice.
Still, Maltz laments that she's unable to care for patients on federal assistance. Noting that doctors generally don't make the best business people, she's excited about the fact that patients are clamoring for a less stressful experience at their doctor's office and for more face-time with their providers.
To learn more:
- read the blog post