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Fee's and ethics???

Discussion in 'General Issues and Discussion Forum' started by Bennepod, Nov 23, 2012.

  1. Bennepod

    Bennepod Active Member


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    Greetings.

    An medical ethical question.

    As technology provides more and more equipment for diagnostics and treatment, we are faced with what (if any) technology to utilze and how to cover the costs its integration/use.

    For instance I anticipate little argument in charging a separate fee for shockwave, or ultrasound imaging based on the very high equipment cost. However, what about charging separately for automated Ankle Brachial Pressure Index assessment where there is a capital expenditure of several thousand for the gear. Or in office Nerve Conduction Velocity testing?

    Clearly this is not an issue to clinicians where fee codes dictate coverage, but to the rest of us, is the question a matter of the capital cost (plus time factors) and if so what is the figure where we charge extra?

    Brendan
     
  2. David Smith

    David Smith Well-Known Member

    Brendan

    Where's the ethical problem here? Have you been for an MRI, it costs loads more than an x ray or a visual examination and a prod by a clinician.
    Finger prod £40, xray £150, MRI £500, saving a life priceless;)

    Dave
     
  3. antipodean

    antipodean Active Member

    There is no ethical issue changing different or separate fees for different services, equipment or consumables. But the role of thumb is keep the process transparent and understandable for the patient.
    New patients in some practices with lets say "translucent" billing practices may be told the cost for an initial consultation is x but get charged y because at the consultation diagnostic services rather than "routine care" was provided. This unnecessary frustration can be avoided by simpler billing structures or new patient information sheets given to new patients prior to attending. But the subject of INFORMED FINANCIAL CONSENT is so 2008.
    I think the only ethical dimension is if services provided and billed for are unnecessary.
     
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