Well it has happened again! – But this time to the richest of all provinces. The Axe has fallen on provincial chiropractic insurance and without much warning. Don’t stop reading if you think this doesn’t apply to you! This week the Alberta government released their 2009 budget and it stated that they have chosen to de-list chiropractors in Alberta, Canada to the tune of 53 million dollars. Although this number doesn’t sound like much it affects 800,000 users of chiropractic per year. The Government paid $200.00 per year or $14.00 per visit – no questions asked! This was a huge thing in the eyes of the public – because to them the money that they received each fiscal year was a big deal! The mentality is such that Canadians feel someone else should pay for their healthcare ........so if the government isn’t going to do it then WHO WILL? Guess what decision they make? They choose to seek other forms of health care that are covered by their governments. This is not new to Canada - in 2004 when Ontario Chiropractors were de-listed - 26 million dollars was taken from the budget and spent on a vaccine for chicken pox and some other life threatening illness. Chiropractic visits were on a decline; patients altered their own schedules; and the number of new patients entering into the offices definitely decreased. Unfortunately there is no way of tracking these numbers exactly but just ask the chiropractors! But after the dust settled and you can ask anyone – it all got BETTER! Personally I like not having to wait two months for the Government to pay for these services. In Canada there are only 2 provinces left to go!
Wake Up – Your financial independence depends on YOU!
How Can I Bullet Proof My Practice? First - just BE Aware of your situation and ask - How dependent is my practice on insurance? Second - you don’t need to buy in to the doom and gloom of the economy – remember it is during these times that many of the rich get richer! (People need somewhere to go) Third - Pick a fair fee for service and charge THAT fee! Fourth and most importantly SERVE THE PEOPLE with the passion and fervour that they deserve. That is Patient Centered Care!
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4 comments:
As an Alberta chiro, I am not worried in the least. We have seen this comming and were emotionally prepared. Alot of our patients are asking us how this affects our business and not really worrying how it affects them! The majority of patients in our office are happy with the change. What it means to them is that their insurance will now pick up the tab immediately instead of waiting for their healthcare money to runout first.
Since the announcement, our visits and NP's (from referals) are up. My thoughts are that when money is tight, people will always have enough to buy/do the things that mean the most to them ... including healthcare. The question then is, are you giving your patients value for money?
I received notice through my state association in Virginia that North Carolina has or is about to make copays for chiro $70 per visit for state employees. It makes the $40 I charge sound like a bargain. Just an example of how chiropractic may be included but obviously not really.
I also was amused when I went cash over a year ago at how many patients were concerned for me and the "other" patients but not for themselves. Well, I just set a new record for one day's visits two days ago. Yes, things are going well without insurance.
For some of you that listened me over the POD´s when I described how some docs here in Mexico wanted to change the title to "medical chiropractors" so that the insurance companies looked at them better (Medical= went to medical school) and therefore pay for their services. I argued with them against that, and turned even bitter. Right after that, the economic turmoil hit the USA, and when the U.S. has a cold we get Pneumonia!. What happened next was no surprise. The insurance companies tightened their copayments and stopped paying for alternative treatments, including chiropractic. Their practices took a nose dive and they do not know who to blame. I am writting this in a record visit´s day too. Cash only and having lots of fun.
During the CPS I heard many of you and the other docs stating it seems like the patients take greater responsibility for their care when they have to "pay" for their care.
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