Thoughts on charging the same thing for a nurse practitioner as for a doctor... - The DIS Discussion Forums

OceanAnnie · 11-21-2009, 09:21 AM

Had an office visit recently. Couldn't get an appt. with a dr., got one with a nurse practitioner instead. The co-pay was the same as if I were seeing the doctor. I didn't care for that.

Nothing against a nurse practitioner, but it isn't the same level of care. I think there should be a tier for a co-pay. Thoughts?

ETA- I had a "specialist" co-pay. Fifty bucks.

crz4mm2 · 11-21-2009, 09:38 AM

Why do you think it is not the same "level" of care?

OceanAnnie · 11-21-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crz4mm2

Why do you think it is not the same "level" of care?

Well, the doctor specializes in a field and has a longer and wider experience base. The nurse practitioner is not a doctor.

crz4mm2 · 11-21-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanAnnie

Well, the doctor specializes in a field and has a longer and wider experience base. The nurse practitioner is not a doctor.

So you saw a nurse practitioner who did not specialize in that field?

Chesire · 11-21-2009, 09:43 AM

Your co-pay might be the same, but the amount charged to your insurance is probably different. Might check your EOB when it arrives

OceanAnnie · 11-21-2009, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crz4mm2

So you saw a nurse practitioner who did not specialize in that field?

Narrower. Why don't you just say, it wouldn't bother you?

OceanAnnie · 11-21-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chesire

Your co-pay might be the same, but the amount charged to your insurance is probably different. Might check your EOB when it arrives

See, I wonder if that is the case, why am I charged the same co-pay?

DVCLiz · 11-21-2009, 09:44 AM

No, I don't have a problem with that. The nurse practioner is trained well enough to provide the service I am seeking - if he or she weren't I would be seeing the doctor instead.

The co-pay is a small part of the cost of the visit. If I were charged the full rate I would expect to see a difference based on what doctors and nurse practioners charge for their time, but a copay doesn't begin to cover that so I would think it fair to pay the same amount.

crz4mm2 · 11-21-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanAnnie

Narrower. Why don't you just say, it wouldn't bother you?

Nope, not at all. If it would bother me, I would have asked for the doctor.
What didn't the nurse practitioner do that the doctor would have done?

OceanAnnie · 11-21-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crz4mm2

Nope, not at all. If it would bother me, I would have asked for the doctor.

I did! The doctor wasn't available for 2 months. I couldn't wait.

DVCLiz · 11-21-2009, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanAnnie

See, I wonder if that is the case, why am I charged the same co-pay?

Because a copay is not pro-rated based on the amount charged or the level of expertise of the medical professional - it's a flat fee for the service you receive. It doesn't matter who you saw.

OceanAnnie · 11-21-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVCLiz

No, I don't have a problem with that. The nurse practioner is trained well enough to provide the service I am seeking - if he or she weren't I would be seeing the doctor instead.

The co-pay is a small part of the cost of the visit. If I were charged the full rate I would expect to see a difference based on what doctors and nurse practioners charge for their time, but a copay doesn't begin to cover that so I would think it fair to pay the same amount.

There wasn't a triage.

She was offered to me because of the doctor's lack of availability.

MinnieMe87 · 11-21-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVCLiz

No, I don't have a problem with that. The nurse practioner is trained well enough to provide the service I am seeking - if he or she weren't I would be seeing the doctor instead.

The co-pay is a small part of the cost of the visit. If I were charged the full rate I would expect to see a difference based on what doctors and nurse practioners charge for their time, but a copay doesn't begin to cover that so I would think it fair to pay the same amount.

It would not have bothered me in the least to have seen and NP instead of the doctor. If for some reason I felt they weren't up to standards, I would have waited for the doctor, or made an appointment elsewhere.

crz4mm2 · 11-21-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OceanAnnie

I did! The doctor wasn't available for 2 months. I couldn't wait.

What didn't she do that the doctor would have done?

OceanAnnie · 11-21-2009, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DVCLiz

Because a copay is not pro-rated based on the amount charged or the level of expertise of the medical professional - it's a flat fee for the service you receive. It doesn't matter who you saw.

Maybe it should be.

11-21-2009, 09:21 AM	#1
OceanAnnie I guess I have a thing against maroon food If they are well behaved I'm okay Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9,920	Thoughts on charging the same thing for a nurse practitioner as for a doctor... Had an office visit recently. Couldn't get an appt. with a dr., got one with a nurse practitioner instead. The co-pay was the same as if I were seeing the doctor. I didn't care for that. Nothing against a nurse practitioner, but it isn't the same level of care. I think there should be a tier for a co-pay. Thoughts? ETA- I had a "specialist" co-pay. Fifty bucks. __________________ "We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are." -- Anais Nin "Some lived careful lives and some lived careless lives, and everything that happened could be explained by the differences between them." -- Anne Tyler

11-21-2009, 09:38 AM	#2
crz4mm2 Most of the time I just sit and scratch my head... Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 6,172	Why do you think it is not the same "level" of care? __________________

11-21-2009, 09:43 AM	#5
Chesire Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: South Lake Tahoe Posts: 127	Your co-pay might be the same, but the amount charged to your insurance is probably different. Might check your EOB when it arrives __________________ me DH DS4 DS2

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
*The Happy Thought Thread*	DisGirl23	Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies	46	11-23-2009 08:44 PM
Things that make you go "hmmm": Funerals	bicker	Community Board	24	11-23-2009 04:56 PM
Funny thing my DD4 said....	nutterbutter2010	Community Board	3	11-21-2009 01:30 PM
Things you overhear your kid say that make you cringe	hrh_disney_queen	Community Board	14	11-21-2009 08:35 AM
Two things i need help and advice on please help me!!!!	tinksgilrs251520	Creative DISigns	3	11-21-2009 07:53 AM

Sponsored Links
DIS ad Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000+	<div align="center">This information cannot be displayed because your browser does not support inline frames.<a href="http://www.wdwinfo.com">Click Here</a> </div>

11-21-2009, 09:44 AM	#8
DVCLiz That's me - proud defender of the Mega roll click here to use the trolldar We saw "I pooted" and thought it was a "New York" thing! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,842	No, I don't have a problem with that. The nurse practioner is trained well enough to provide the service I am seeking - if he or she weren't I would be seeing the doctor instead. The co-pay is a small part of the cost of the visit. If I were charged the full rate I would expect to see a difference based on what doctors and nurse practioners charge for their time, but a copay doesn't begin to cover that so I would think it fair to pay the same amount.