AANP Conference

http://www.lvrj.com/news/sebelius-addresses-5-600-124408819.html

Awesome conference! The lecture where I presented our clinic model received a standing ovation; there are many NPs who are just getting the state authority to practice independently. As you can see from the link above, the federal government is very enthusiastic about NPs. Thanks for your patience while I was gone, and thanks to Lisa for taking over so I could go.

WORKLOAD!

I am so happy to report that the clinic is doing great! I am busier than ever though and trying figure out ways to get out of here on time for dinner.

You may not know this but many of the tasks I provide are not covered by your insurance. Phone calls and emails along with many other duties are considered non-covered benefits. Many providers have chosen to have a yearly non-covered benefits fee of between $100 to $300 per patient, and others have chosen to charge fees for certain services; for now, I fall into the latter category and will post fees for extra work on my website in the next few months.

If any of the next 3 items are completed during an office visit, the fee will be waived, otherwise the fee is $30.

• Referral letters and insurance pre-authorization for specialists visits
• Letters for school, work, jury duty, etc.
• Form completion, including medication pre-authorization, FMLA / short-term disability, DOT physical, sports physical, etc.

I will offer the following services on a fee-for-service basis:

• Virtual visits -- if any email request will take longer than 10 minutes or require a treatment plan / prescription, you will be sent a virtual visit form ($30)
• Phone consult -- this is if you want to speak to me on the phone for medical advice that normally would be discussed at a proper visit ($30 per 15 minutes)
• After-hours phone calls (anytime other than 9am to 5pm on Monday to Friday) -- calling after hours for medical advice and treatment, and keeping you out of Urgent Care or the ER ($40)

So why, you might ask, am I doing this? I know it is hard to believe but there are patients who consistently use the "free" services and don't come in for a visit, and that is not in my business plan. I do always reserve the right to waive the charge, but I just want the policy out there if I need to use it. Would love feedback from all of you! -- Kristina