Direct specialty care, also known as direct pay or concierge medicine, is a healthcare model where patients pay directly for their medical services without the involvement of insurance. This approach eliminates the administrative burden associated with insurance billing and allows patients to have more control over their healthcare decisions. Smith Medical exemplifies this model by offering cash-pay surgery at a lower cost.
By focusing on direct specialty care, Smith Medical can provide patients with a more transparent and affordable surgical experience. This model allows them to streamline their operations, negotiate lower prices for medical supplies and equipment, and pass these savings on to their patients.
Instead of navigating complex insurance networks and waiting for approvals, patients can choose Smith Medical for their surgical needs and receive high-quality care at a competitive price point. When patients are looking for affordable surgery prices, they come to Smith Medical because rates are even lower that surgery with insurance.
This model empowers patients to take charge of their healthcare journey and access specialized surgical services without the financial constraints often associated with traditional insurance-based systems.
Frustrated Patients Want Better Quality Care
Constant frustration for patients makes it difficult to deal with medically necessary surgical procedures.
The exorbitant cost of surgery is a pressing issue that fuels frustration among patients and strains the healthcare system. The price tags attached to procedures often leave patients grappling with overwhelming financial burdens, forcing them to choose between their health and their financial stability. This financial pressure can lead to delays in necessary procedures, exacerbating health problems and potentially leading to more complex and expensive treatments down the line.
Furthermore, the high cost of surgery often translates to inadequate care, as hospitals and clinics prioritize profit over patient well-being. This can manifest in rushed consultations, limited time with medical professionals, and inadequate aftercare support. Patients frequently report feeling rushed, unheard, and dismissed, leaving them feeling anxious and distrustful of the system.
The result is a vicious cycle: escalating costs lead to poorer care, which in turn fuels patient dissatisfaction and drives up spending further. This unsustainable model demands a fundamental shift in healthcare policy, prioritizing affordability and prioritizing quality care over profit. Only then can we ensure that surgery remains a life-saving option for all, not a privilege reserved for the wealthy.
Lack of Transparency For Billing
Undergoing surgery places a large burden upon the patient as it is, but there is a long list of financial complications that are added to their plate. Billing is difficult to understand and patients have to make sense of their healthcare bills from their insurance companies. Oftentimes the bills roll in after their surgery, and it doesn’t always seem to line up with the insurance estimates they were provided with because they have facility fees, anesthesia fees, hospital charges, appointments and so much more.
Patients are stuck in a cycle of opaque pricing, wondering if they have already paid for a specific bill, how much follow-up appointments will cost, and how much their facility charges will be. Pricing should not be a mystery for patients.
High Deductibles and Little Health Insurance Coverage
Patient-to-patient health insurance coverage varies, and it truly depends on what availability you have through your employers and how well your coverage can stretch for specific surgeries and procedures.
Patients are often already paying into their health insurance and the cost may come directly out of their paycheck and day-to-day that cost is not utilized. But larger healthcare needs such as cataract surgery or a knee replacement may not be covered at all because you have a high deductible or your insurance just doesn’t provide enough support.
Some people find it frustrating that their health insurance doesn’t cover the services that they need as part of the healthcare system.
Why Direct Specialty Care Changes Surgery
In recent years, the high pricing of surgical procedures has become a major issue for many people in need of medical care. The cost of surgery can be exorbitant, leaving many individuals burdened with significant debt or unable to access the care they need. One potential solution to this problem is insurance-free surgery, which is a model where patients pay for their surgical procedures upfront and in full, without the need for insurance coverage.
Patients love working with Smith Medical because Our multispecialty facilities offer state-of-the-art treatments from top-of-the-line surgeons, elevating traditional surgical care for consumer access. Patients consider cost first when they are recommended for surgery, which is why Smith Medical focuses on up-front pricing.
Healthcare has been the only service you buy WITHOUT knowing the price upfront, but we are changing this. At Smith, we provide excellent care, from leading surgeons with fair, transparent pricing. Visit our website and try our pricing tool to learn about the cost of your surgery.
FAQs:
- Does the set price include or exclude consultations/ follow-up appointments? /¿El precio establecido incluye o excluye consultas/citas de seguimiento?
We include both pre-operative and post-operative appointments in the cost of surgery. If there are any specific exceptions for extended follow-up care our patients will be immediately notified of any additional cost or price point.
- Does Smith Medical offer diagnostic imaging?/ ¿Smith Medical ofrece diagnóstico por imágenes?
Diagnostic imaging including scans, ultrasounds, X-rays, MRIs, and more is included in the singular price point of your procedure. At Smith Medical preoperative appointments may include testing which is included in the total price that patients pay before they undergo surgery.
- Do I need a referral for treatment with Smith? / ¿Necesito una derivación para recibir tratamiento con Smith?
No, you do not. Typically patients are told that they need surgery and are referred to specific doctors, hospitals, or specialists that can perform that surgery. We do not require referrals and anyone can receive a surgery at our facility after proper testing or documents.
