Medicine Without the Mess (aka, no insurance or admin!)

The time is HERE! I am sooooooo excited as I begin welcoming patients and am ENJOYING and LOOKING FORWARD to the “work day” ahead!!

It’s hard to put into words how happy and liberating this experience has been as we worked behind the scenes to bring our concept to fruition!! Just yesterday, I answered the office line (yep, the doc answers the phone!) and was delighted to hear from Nancy, a prior patient. She was sadly left “hanging” when my health became acutely worse and I had to stop practicing. I understand that due to privacy concerns, my prior practice colleague erred on the side of caution and did not relay any information to patients; however, I would have gladly allowed for transparency and to give closure to my patients in light of my abrupt end to practice. Nonetheless, I was pleased that she got the healthcare she needed in my absence. Perhaps it wasn’t as personal, but she was able to move forward. Turns out, she was periodically googling me to find out when I would be in practice again!

And allas! I’m baaaack!

It was heartwarming to hear that Nancy had been to the website and read my story. She shared with me how she thought of me as family— that made me so happy, as I often think of my patients the same way! I’ve worried about them; I’ve prayed for them; I’ve been on vacation, soaking in sunlight among the Caribbean and wondered how they were holding up with with the stress of life. Before ending the phone call, Nancy and I reminisced about our visits together. Yes, I remember her love for a no-salt alternative, and I smiled as she updated me on her family.

… I look forward to seeing some of my prior patients again.

I also look forward to NOT being constrained by insurance-driven short appointment times; to the freedom to have random non-health related conversations and connect with patients; to sharing life moments; and to being a comforting face to patients, not JUST their “doctor.” While I previously attempted to do all these things under an insurance-based system or corporate healthcare employment, it was near impossible.

Now, I won’t carry home loads of paperwork that disrupts family time! And when a patient calls, I’ll easily recall our visit earlier in the week when my mind doesn’t need to sort through the other 100 people I saw!!

I’m looking forward to all that is different on the road ahead, and I hope my patients are excited as well!