Low-cost doctor told to increase fees

[Sanslines]

Posted on Thu, Mar. 12, 2009



Low-cost doctor told to increase fees


ASSOCIATED PRESS


NEW YORK - A New York City doctor whose low-cost health care plan angered state officials has agreed to increase his fees.

The state Insurance Department told Dr. John Muney last month to end the $79-a-month medical service at his AMG Medical Group clinics in all five boroughs. Department spokesman Andy Mais said Muney was violating state law by basically operating as an insurance operator without a license.

The monthly fee buys unlimited office visits, including certain tests and in-office surgeries.

Muney will charge $33 per visit for all but preventive care, which Mais says brings him in compliance. Muney's spokesman says he'll challenge the restrictions through legislation.

Muney, a former surgeon, started offering the $79-a-month plan in 2008.

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news...l?text=reg&c=y


Score another win for the insurance industry that blocks providing low cost medical care -thereby protecting their sacred money making cash cow.

[Lord Drakkus]

So, in other words, his fees are now $79 a month plus a $33 copay for all but preventive care... Can somebody tell me how this is any less like running his own insurance company? Because it seems more like regular old insurance to me the new way.

[Bob S.]

No Drakkus. The $79 per month payment was determined to be illegal so he dropped it. He now charges $33 per visit excepting preventive care. Assuming the $33 covers the tests as well, the patients now have two visits per month until they lose money on the deal.

I personally don't see any problem with a doctor charging a monthly fee for unlimited care.

Bob S.

[Naturist Mark]

So does NY also prohibit legal service plans?

This really sounds like illegal restraint of trade, and I'd suggest that the New York State Attorney General Cuomo investigate ... ummm ... New York State ...

[blackrebel]

Another reason why businesses don't want to do business in NY state.

[Naturist Mark]

Originally Posted by blackrebel

Another reason why businesses don't want to do business in NY state.

Au contraire, this is NY state protecting business from competition. Not only are some businesses too big to be allowed to fail, some are too profitable to be allowed to have competition. Big businesses (like health care insurers) HATE free markets.

[Sanslines]

Originally Posted by Naturist Mark

Au contraire, this is NY state protecting business from competition. Not only are some businesses too big to be allowed to fail, some are too profitable to be allowed to have competition. Big businesses (like health care insurers) HATE free markets.

Now why on earth would New York State want to investigate a very profitable business whose profits can be heavily taxed? They will never do such a thing anymore then they will investigate corruption within the state lottery system.

[NudeTopher]

Originally Posted by blackrebel

Another reason why businesses don't want to do business in NY state.

Hmmmmm. I'd say that we have more of a business community here in NYS that in most other states. We have one of the weathiest and sophisticated markets in the nation. Businesses are always trying to come here to get a part of the pie.

With regard to this doctor operating a limited scale insurance company; it does not speak about the business climate one way or the other. Insurance companies are regulated here and that is to the benefit of the consumer.

[Sanslines]

Originally Posted by NudeTopher

Hmmmmm. I'd say that we have more of a business community here in NYS that in most other states. We have one of the weathiest and sophisticated markets in the nation. Businesses are always trying to come here to get a part of the pie.

What you are saying is specific to the downstate area. Upstate is the exact opposite as business continues to shed jobs, close, and young, skilled people leave the state. Been to Syracuse, Rochester, or Buffalo lately?

Downstaters are obviously able and willing to pay the highest combined state taxes in the nation. Upstaters are unable to do so.

[NudeTopher]

Originally Posted by Sanslines

What you are saying is specific to the downstate area. Upstate is the exact opposite as business continues to shed jobs, close, and young, skilled people leave the state. Been to Syracuse, Rochester, or Buffalo lately?

Downstaters are obviously able and willing to pay the highest combined state taxes in the nation. Upstaters are unable to do so.

Actually, I have been in Buffalo more then just a few times. My cousin got his MD at Buffalo and I'd visit him somewhat frequently. While the university is a huge employer, I wonder why the residents have not pushed for more business incubators to be affliliated with the schools. It's a pretty common practice elsewhere to enable the (business and geographic) communities to profit from the location of major educational centers.

What have Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse done to attract business? I really have no clue. I know the county that I live in (Suffolk) has become increasingly more agressive in offering tax abatements, and a host of other things in order to attract/retain business - just so there isn't that loss of which you speak. I wonder what the residents of Western New York have done to help themselves.

Because Western New York, and some other regions, require so much more in taxes then they are able to provide Nassau and Suffolk Counties send millions more to Albany every year then we get back. For just that reason, not getting our money's worth, that a Republican politician has once again suggested that Long Island suceeds from New York and forms our own state. Of course that will never happen. New York State would never give up it's cash cow.