Posted on 03/21/2009 11:43:25 PM PDT by genghis
New York, NY - The state is trying to shut down a New York City doctor's ambitious plan to treat uninsured patients for around $1,000 a year.
Dr. John Muney offers his patients everything from mammograms to mole removal at his AMG Medical Group clinics, which operate in all five boroughs.
"I'm trying to help uninsured people here," he said.
His patients agree to pay $79 a month for a year in return for unlimited office visits with a $10 co-pay.
But his plan landed him in the crosshairs of the state Insurance Department, which ordered him to drop his fixed-rate plan - which it claims is equivalent to an insurance policy.
Muney insists it is not insurance because it doesn't cover anything that he can't do in his offices, like complicated surgery. He points out his offices do not operate 24/7 so they can't function like emergency rooms.
"I'm not doing an insurance business," he said. "I'm just providing my services at my place during certain hours."
He says he can afford to charge such a small amount because he doesn't have to process mountains of paperwork and spend hours on billing.
"If they leave me alone, I can serve thousands of patients," he said.
The state believes his plan runs afoul of the law because it promises to cover unplanned procedures - like treating a sudden ear infection - under a fixed rate. That's something only a licensed insurance company can do.
"The law is strict on how insurance is defined," said an Insurance Department spokesman.
A possible solution that Muney's lawyer crafted would force patients to pay more than $10 for unplanned procedures.
They are waiting to see if the state will accept the compromise. Still, Muney is unhappy because, he said, "I really don't want to charge more. They're forcing me."
One of his patients, Matthew Robinson, 52, was furious to learn the state was interfering with the plan.
"The whole point is, he [Muney] found a way of paying his rent, paying his workers, and getting to see patients for the price," said Robinson.
"How can the state dictate you've got to charge more?"
Exactly - they realize that such a plan would destroy their power and then the bureaucrats would be out of a job.
And such regulators are interfering with the free market and a businessman’s ability to set his own fees. This is exactly the kind of price competition American medicine needs desperately. How the hell did we get to this place in America?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Here is a man that is honestly trying to help and has a wonderful idea; and who else; but our crooked government doesn’t like it.
I would love that.
He’s right. This isn’t insurance. Not even close.
Government officials are becoming more unhinged by the minute. Obama Effect for sure.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
If they’re that worried about illegal insurance rackets, they should go after Big Mike, who offers pizzeria owners a great deal on fire insurance. A thousand a month guarantees that their businesses won’t burn down.
“That’s something only a licensed insurance company can do.”
Name one insurance company worker that ever graduated medical school.
Why is there a law that prevents this doctor from doing this? Who is it designed to protect? The doctors? Patients? Or the insurance companies?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. - Thomas Jefferson
Hero doctor versus sub-human democrat party power mad cockroachs.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Boy those are dumb bureaucrats. An insurance company is regulated because it promises to late pay for something for you that it does not have. This MD in fact is an MD, so he certainly can provide care.
It is the MD’s business how he prices his services. He can in fact deliver these services. Thus he is not insuring patients, he is merely selling his services using a two part pricing scheme.
Are you sure this wasn’t written by John Semmens....
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Right and again the key difference is an insurance company is not offering medical services, it is promising to pay for your use of them. This MD is in fact promising to deliver these services. That is what makes it not insurance.
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