Solution: Create a new class of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants who can practice independently from MDs.
intercst
5 Likes
Didn’t we just determine these people aren’t professionals?
JimA
1 Like
Yeah, I saw that. Defrocking them should make them cheaper.
I’d still be happy with a AI doctor for most things – as long as Private Equity isn’t billing me.
intercst
1 Like
This has been done already for decades. I went to a Nurse Practitioner for primary care from 2003 through 2023 when she retired.
Wendy
4 Likes
HA! Don’t you believe it. Along with independent, autonomous practice, comes higher liability insurance costs, higher overheads (if practising in an independent brick and mortar facility) so an expectation of higher income ….and ultimately higher costs. Surely you’d expect the same for yourself.
3 Likes
In most states, Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants have to work under the supervision of an MD. It’s the idea of letting them practice independently without the mark-up of the MD’s supervision that’s new.
Minimize the Skim.
intercst
4 Likes
Coverage Is an element of a financial transaction. It limits the insurance company’s liability.
The Captain
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As I mention in my previous post, to imagine that, having gained this level of full practice autonomy…..and corresponding accountability…..most PAs or NPs are likely to happily accept the lower rebursement they received when they enjoyed the security of the physician led practice team, is a foolish level of wishful thinking.
As much as some PAs (especially) and their professional organisations advocate quite strongly for this full autonomy situation …..and I’m sure AI overview will support this notion…..most of the mid levels that I know personally are fully aware that, outside of the lower overhead/lower risk areas (facial aesthetics (botox)/weight-loss (GLP-1 RAs etc)/anti-aging (‘roids etc) it’s a minefield out there. Both financially and ethically/medico-legally.
Colorado allows independent practice for dental hygienists…..with ability to own and operate their own practice. You’d think that every strip mall would be sporting these cleaning centers (especially since so many folk seem to believe that’s all they’re likely to need to ward of preventable disease). Has not happened. Like most other members of the workforce with any sortnof choice, healthcare workers don’t voluntarily pay more to allow themselves to earn/charge the same.
Minimize the foolish
2 Likes
I wonder if it’s because they aren’t permitted to label themselves as “dentist”? When people (the general public) are looking for someone to take care of their teeth, including mostly cleaning, they invariably search for “dentist”, and then go to a conveniently located one (or one recommended by family/friend/etc). They don’t search for “dental hygienist”, heck, 80% of them couldn’t spell hygienist correctly in the first place. 
4 Likes
In some rural parts of the country (e.g. Alaska, Washington State, Minnesota) they have “Dental Therapists” who can do cleanings as well as fillings.) They are often limited to “Tribal Lands” at the insistence of the American Dental Association. {{ LOL }}
Not everyone needs to see someone with the skills of a Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist. Routine dental care is priced out of the reach of 70 million Americans.
intercst
3 Likes
Nah! More to do with the difference between working for The Man (or Woman) with a gua-RON-teed paycheck, no worries about overheads, gaps in your appointment schedule etc and no after hours responsibility as opposed to all the above, minus the gua-RON-teed paycheck.
Concentrates the mind no end.
Assuming they’ll still need some level of education / training…defrocking them also limits their access to student loans.
In some areas they might be able to get by with Cletus just setting up shop in a shipping container stocked with cod liver oil, Vitamin A, and Ivermectin…