We NOW accept CA$H!!!!

I promised I was going to keep you posted about the OBGYN office that refused CA$H. (I am constantly surprised at how many doctor offices tell me this.) Yesterday I forwarded my blog to the office manager and something interesting happened. I got a call from the doctor, not the office manager. The doctor was irritated but cautious. I let her vent a bit and then she quizzed me about several issues. We actually seemed to have started a dialogue that was very healthy. It was obvious to me that she is very frustrated with the "system" and that she really does care about her patients and the current condition of healthcare, especially the climate for OBGYN's. I must admit however that she was "SHOCKED" to know that her staff, especially her office manager of 13 years would refuse cash; in fact she said her office manager did not recollect our conversation.(WOW… can you say CYA?) Warning to all: Do NOT EVER lie to Advocate Aaron. I immediately pulled the recording of our call converted it to a wave file and emailed it to the doctor. (Facts are a stubborn thing.) Bottom line: The mom I was assisting not only got a cash rate but the doctor took an additional $500 off for the "hassle factor" (I did NOT even ask).

This doctor is now accepting CA$H patients and has agreed to give them favorable terms so they can get the prenatal care and attention they need and deserve. (She even asked me how she could support our mission). Here's the point: Doctors typically got into medicine to HELP, but, because of fear of lawsuits, insurance, liability, and all the regulation and hoops they have to jump through, they become hardened and cynical. (And I do NOT blame them).

It is time to STOP the insanity and get back to the REAL issue: Helping moms get the care they need and deserve for the wellbeing of them and their unborn baby, PERIOD!

Moral of the story: If we continue to hold the "system" accountable and provide REAL transparency we can make a difference and have a REAL IMPACT.

Fighting for the uninsured and underinsured pregnant mom and their unborn baby,

Advocate Aaron

PS: Below is a testimonial from one of our moms...

When Denise contacted us she was frustrated after discovering that her very expensive individual health insurance did not include a basic maternity rider that paid for her maternity medical expenses. If you have maternity insurance, that is always the best option. But increasingly, agents don't offer it and individuals may elect not to pay for expensive maternity insurance as part of their plan. Even though Denise was already pregnant, we developed a Game Plan that helped her make her doctor, hospital, lab and sonogram bills affordable.

"When we found out I was pregnant and our health insurance did not cover maternity, we were surprised. We didn't think we had any options but I'm very happy that I found you. Thanks for making the whole process easier. Much easier. " - Denise F., NV