I have had a few interesting experiences with my patients and bill paying over the past few weeks.The business aspect of my practice is usually routine and unremarkable, but these stood out:
1. Phone message from a wealthy law firm partner one hour before his initial consultation: "Dr. Bliss, I just found out that you are not on my insurance so I decided not to come in."
(I threw a fit.)
2. An email from a college student patient with no money who I have seen on a charity basis "Dr. Bliss, my Dad" (who is unemployed) "and I were talking, and decided that we need to pay you something for the phone time and emails to adjust my medicine while I'm away at school. Please calculate something and put it on my account."
(I explained that I do not charge for brief phone calls or emails.)
3. Patient in the office "Dr. Bliss, you made a mistake on last month's bill." "Oh I did. I'm sorry." "Yes, it's the second time in two years when you undercharged me. Please correct it."
(I was naturally pleased by her honesty.)
4. Patient in the office: "My husband nickels and dimes me about every expense for the kids, and last week he went out and paid cash for a new Escalade for himself." "Did he?" I replied, "That's funny, because he told me on the phone that you all had no cash and asked that I give you a discount for a while." "Oh yes," she said. "I'm not surprised. His rule is 'Only suckers pay retail.'"
(I told her that as of today, it will be the full original fee because I was not pleased being one of his suckers.)
5. Business guy: "Doctor, will you take a discount for cash?"
("No. I happen to be one of those people who reports all of my income.")
