1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
In my experience of observing multiple doctors over the years, this overcharging you speak of happened at only one clinic I've ever seen. And if Medicare ever looks over their records with a critical eye, as they sometimes do, there will be much sadness. So, you see, everyone is not "fine" with it. You also seem to be implying that it is common among doctors, but I can tell you from personal experience that it is not. Insurance guidelines specify exactly what the documentation guidelines are to justify the level of billing.
If you were subjected to the same guidelines in auto repair, as are currently present in medicine, your report would go something like this:
1987 Saab 900S three-door 5 spd 162,000 miles brought in for customer complaint of poor acceleration, especially when cold. As engine warms up, car can be extremely sluggish and sometimes dangerously so. As coolant temp needle comes into the green, sometimes there is an abrupt improvement in power, as if a switch is thrown. The car was evaluated by such and such dealer on blank date, and all new fuel injectors were installed, but no improvement in the problem.
Past history of the car includes a front end collision with $2000 damage in 1995, new water pump at 95,000 miles, new tranny and clutch at 155K, blah blah blah
The owner routinely uses 89 octane Shell, Valvoline 10W30, changed every 3000 to 4000 miles.
There has been no fouling of the plugs, white or black smoke out the back, overheating, sounds of predetonation, blah blah blah
Systems checked:
1. Fuel injection pressure showed blank
2. Fuel pump showed blank
3. Intake manifold removed and inspected. Inside cleaned with blank after blank deposits found.
4. Test drive found 0-60 time of blank. Improved to blank after engine completely warmed up.
Other diagnostic tests:
x,y,z
Parts:
x,y,z
Results:
I'm getting tired of typing now.
Your billing at this point would include the parts, and for labor you could only bill according to how thorough your history is and how many of the car's systems you looked at. This history was good for only a mid-level of complexity. If you don't document it, you can't charge for it. If the car was very obese and you had a terrible time getting the intake manifold off, you could not charge a penny extra for your time. If the car smelled awful because of frequent gaseous emissions, you are obligated to breathe this, cannot make a comment for fear of appearing judgemental, and God help you if you suggest you will not take care of this car in the future. You have to refer them to another mechanic or provide them with a list of other mechanics, and then they can still sue you for abandonment.
Believe me, you do not want the regulatory environment that doctors put up with. Well, not all put up with it. A few cheat, although very few, and many are retiring early.
OK, so that went on too long. With Bill G's spark plugs, there was no diagnostic time. I can see if it was the only thing requested, then there might be a minimum labor charge. Kind of like the plumber charging you for a minimum of 1 hour.
posted by 205.213....
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