When a doctor accepts insurance, he or she has to pay for staff to interact with insurance companies, to make sure they pay claims and to fill out the myriad forms required by insurers. By not accepting insurance, I can simplify the practice of medicine, reduce my overhead significantly, and charge less for a visit than other offices.
Many people have high deductibles and have to pay for the first $750-$4,000 of their health cares costs. I can save them money because my office visits cost less than at another doctor’s office. In fact, most patients can save a lot of money by buying a less expensive “catastrophic coverage” plan and then coming to see me when they need a doctor for a well or sick visit.
Some people don’t have insurance at all, even in the great state of Massachusetts where it is mandated. I can definitely save them money on doctor’s visits.
And finally, some people realize that I’m an excellent doctor with years of experience, and that they will get great care here, in a beautiful setting, with unprecedented access to their physician, and that it is more than worth the small fee they pay to see me! Many people pay more to get their hair done than I charge to see a patient, so I think it’s a bargain.
Every insurance company is different as regards their attitude towards so-called “out-of-network” providers. Insurers that allow “out-of-network” doctors should accept my receipts. My receipts are electronically generated from a widely accepted electronic medical record system, with all of the appropriate medical coding, but a patient should call their insurer first to make sure.
You can submit it, but check with your insurer first. An insurer can refuse to pay an out-of-network doctor’s fees. Unfortunately, since I do not have staff to deal with insurance companies, I cannot deal with this issue for patients. I can give a patient a chart note (if needed) and receipt from their visit, and they are free to pursue repayment, but it is not within the scope of my practice to do this for you, or fight with your insurance company if they refuse (that’s why I stopped dealing with insurance companies to begin with!)
I do everything you expect a doctor to do: I treat coughs, colds, sore throats, stomach pain, headaches, urinary tract infections, STDs, high blood pressure, diabetes, and every sort of body pain. I provide birth control, PAP smears, women’s healthcare, and pregnancy tests. I do minor office surgeries such as removal of infected toenails and fingernails, draining abcesses (boils), and sewing lacerations. Dermatology is a special interest of mine, and I can treat warts, biopsy lesions, remove skin tags or moles, and treat acne.
Yes.
I have a contract with U. Mass Memorial Healthcare to get blood tests done by their lab. They have multiple draw stations in the area (I do not draw blood in the office, though this could change in the future). Most blood tests, especially the commonly needed ones, are surprisingly affordable. The patient pays me for the test in advance, and I pay the hospital.
If you have insurance that will cover your blood tests, you can use your insurance card at the hospital to get your tests done. Your insurer will only pay for this if they accept “out-of-network” referrals. It is the patient’s responsibility to make sure their insurer will pay prior to getting the lab test done. If the insurer does not pay, the hospital will bill the patient, and that bill will be larger than if I ordered the test and you paid for it here, so you always need to check with insurer first.
I routinely send patients to the Mass General Imaging Facility on Grove Street for their X-rays, ultrasounds, mammograms and CT scans. They have free, easy parking, excellent customer service, and no waiting. They give discounts to patients who pay in cash/credit. I have a price list for X-rays should you need one. As for billing insurance, the same holds true as with labs above: check with your insurer. If they accept an out-of-network referral they should cover your X-rays. If they only cover imagaing at UMassMemorial or some other hospital, I am happy to send you to any acceptable facility.
Some small labs can be done in my office (strep testing, urinalysis) for a minimal fee.
I can refer you to specialists just like any other primary care doctor. I have longstanding relationships with many of the specialists in Worcester because I have worked in this area for 20 years. If you do not have insurance, we will call first and establish how much it would cost you to see a specialist. If you have insurance, check to be sure they will accept my out-of network referral (if you have a high deductible, you may end up paying for your specialist visit too).
I am a solo doctor, and I have a family and three dogs, so I can’t honestly promise to be available 24 hours a day, but I always have my phone with me, and I am just a phone call away, except in rare instances. If you have an emergency, and I do not answer my phone, you should go immediately to the nearest Emergency Room. Otherwise, I will get back to you as soon as possible. I am physically in the office 8:30-4:30 every weekday, but I am happy to arrange an after-hour, weekend or holiday visit if someone calls and needs to be seen. In short: if you need me, call the office, and I will find a way to help you.
I LOVE Botox! I am a very satisfied Botox customer, and I have many friends and patients who are thrilled with it too. People want to look good, and I believe that can make them feel better too. If you have frown lines and look angry even when you’re not, it can affect how people interact with you. Botox works to reduce frown lines, and it works incredibly well. People are almost invariably thrilled with the results of Botox. The only down side to Botox is the price: it is very expensive. However, I offer the best prices in Worcester, and if you consider what some make-up and beauty products cost in the span of a year, I don’t think Botox is an excessive expense. There is another product coming to market in the spring (called Xeomin) that is supposed to be less expensive, so stay tuned.
Varicose Vein sclerotherapy is also a very low-risk procedure that makes a huge difference in how a person’s legs look, and how a person feels about him or herself. I also offer the lowest prices in town on this procedure, and have had rave reviews from customers.
Yes! Please call us to schedule a free consultation.