Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

Aneurysm Survivor — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:49:31 GMT

Several years ago, about 2005, at Johns Hopkins I spoke with a young neurosurgeon who was planning to set up practice in Maryland. He told me that he expected to pay $300,000+ for malpractice his first year. That's 300K up front before he earns dollar one. If congress wants to do something to lower medical costs they might consider reigning in the lawyers.

Mike

www.aneurysmsupport.com

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

hlthblog — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:31:44 GMT

Thanks for your comment NAS. Hang in there. Medicine will remain a nobel profession. And whatever the level of economic reward, at least you will have a profession that will always be in demand. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Bill Crounse, MD

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

nas — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 04:01:34 GMT

Great article finally someone who defends doctors rather than attacks them. Im a medical student everywhere i look doctors are getting persecuted by the media for one thing or another. It makes me wonder why do i bother, but then when im in the hospital with patients i understand the reason why i chose this proffesion

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

Phillip T. Terry — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:10:37 GMT

Are those spiralling costs not of our own making? How many more 'Super-Size Me' movies do we need to watch before we realise just how much our current diet has to do with the massive drain on medical resources. Those of us who watch our diet should be substantially rewarded in some way to make it attractive to those who don't. I mean something beyond the fact we'll live longer and happier lives. That benefit unfortunately just doesn't seem to make an impression on the 'bad diet' guys. Sorry about the rant but had to be said!

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

Mark Wyatt, Technologist — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:33:15 GMT

Let technology connect the Patient to Doctor without HMOs who only server the stockholder interests and that would be a real win! Direct P2D relationships worked before the 1970s, before Employer's started bearing a majority of Health costs. We can do it, but some big HMOs will need to trim heavily first...

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

Brian Baum — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:49:50 GMT

Bill - can't agree more! I've come to the defense of many PCPs when I hear the argument - well the docs are making all the money! A day in the life of a PCP - well, I don't have to explain. Unfortunately, the public perception is out of alignment. Even more unfortunate for the PCP - my experience has consistently been that people choose this path out of a geniune interest to help people. Technology does have the potential to restore this profession to the role and recognition, (and reward) that it should have in our society. At least it is starting to feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel.

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

hlthblog — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:55:28 GMT

Thanks for your comment, Eugene. Malpractice rates vary widely depending on specialty and region of the country. Ob-Gyns likely have the highest rates due to the high liability associated with childbirth. According to Medical Liability Monitor, in 2008:

"Dade County, Fla., reported the highest rates in the country with OB/Gyns and general surgeons paying as much as $238,728 for coverage, a decrease of 4 percent from last year. Internists in Dade County also pay the most, as much as $54,710, the same dollar amount as last year. Some internists in Minnesota have the lowest rates in the country, paying $3,375, a rate that did not increase from last year. Minnesota general surgeons also pay the least of their specialty, $11,306, the same as last year; obstetrician/gynecologists in the state pay as low as $17,166"

You can assume that neurosurgeons, espeically in places like Florida, pay through the nose for malpractice coverage. In fact, I recall a period of time not long ago when neurosurgeons in the Seattle-Tacoma area bascially stopped seeing patients because their malpractice premiums had gone up so much.

Bill Crounse, MD

re: Health Reform—neither brain surgery nor rocket science

Eugene Chi — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:17:33 GMT

Great article. You can also include how much malpractice insurance is for doctors as a percentage of a physician's income especially being a neurosurgeon. Yikes! I can't imagine.