WHY I DON’T JOIN HMO PLANS
Doctor Steven R. Goldstein MD is an obgyn in Manhattan in private practice for over 35 years. Often asked why he doesn’t join HMO plans offered by employers, Dr Goldstein states that patients would not like him on those plans.
He goes on to say “My patients need to realize I am a solo practitioner. I see patients one at a time. I take my histories by pen and by ink. I talk to every patient after every visit, no matter how trivial, dressed again in the consultation room. I do not have nurse clinicians and “Physician extenders” doing much of the work that I feel you come to see the doctor for.
We do not have a ten page history intake form that is simply scanned into a computer. We do not have an answering system with “Press 1 for appointments, Press 2 for insurance”. If you have a problem, I sit with you and explain for as long as I need to be sure that you understand the nuances of your particular diagnosis and treatment plan”
Dr Goldstein goes on to say “Managed care medicine (HMOs) in Ob/gyn is a commitment to VOLUME. Out of financial necessity, more people need to come through the door. The time spent with the physician him or herself is incredibly short, instead the patient sees nurse practitioners, physician assistants and any number of extenders on the visit to make the patient feel that the visit is worthwhile. I choose not to practice medicine that way. I urge you to attempt to maintain a Point of Service
option in any plan that you may be offered. With a point of service option, we can attempt to work with you and your insurance so that you can continue to see me “out of network”.
Avisit at Dr Goldstein’s office takes at least an hour. The care is individualized and focused on the patient. Patients do not have to wait long periods to see him because he sees a limited number of patients every day to make sure that each is afforded enough time to be thoroughly examined, have their questions answered, and a proper plan for their care. Unfortunately, this type of visit is not possible when the patient has an HMO.
Dr Goldstein, an obgyn in Manhattan is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at New York University School Of Medicine. He is also a Past Chairman of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York section, Past President American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine and a former Director of Gynecologic Ultrasound at NYU Langone Medical Center.
He is one of the world’s foremost experts on the science of Perimenopause.Apast president of the Menopause Society, past president of the International Menopause Society and a Certified Menopause Practitioner, Dr Goldstein is also co author of the books “The EstrogenAlternative” and “Could it be Perimenopause?”