How To Be Your Doctors Favorite Patient
First of all, let me explain something in case you don't already know. The more your doctor and his staff like you, the better service you will receive. It's just a plain fact and human nature. Most doctors are swamped with patients and have to make choices when appointing patients to their schedule. So how do you get the only appointment left on next Tuesday, you day off?
Asking for an appointment: Make or break the relationship.
Depending upon how large the practice is, there is probably one person designated to make appointments and is most likely a woman or young adult.
This position is one of the lowest paid in the practice, so keep that in mind when talking to them and boost their ego at every chance.
? Don't tell them you have to get in this week because you are going on a cruise or exotic trip next week and just have to be seen now. This will not induce sympathy with a person financially incapable of affording such luxury. Just say you're going out of town.
? Don't tell them it ?has to be next Tuesday between 2 and 4'. Ask nicely if ?that time' is available, but do not insist on it. If you consistently follow the suggestions laid out here, chances are the appointment coordinator will move patients around to accommodate your schedule just because you are the favorite.
But it is not a good idea to demand a specific time unless they ask you first. In case you don't know, the appointment coordinator is taught to run the schedule, and to not let the patients do it for them.
? Keep in mind it is the appointment coordinator's job to FILL the schedule for the doctor. Most doctors want to see a full schedule for tomorrow when they leave for the day. "Emergency time" is seldom available, unless the practice has a consistent need for it. I know of no doctor that likes to sit around with no patients and therefore no income.
Even the most caring of doctors still has their income in mind. After all, they have a staff and bills to pay.
? Which brings up the next point: do not ask the appointment coordinator for a discount or a payment plan. Trust me, they will not have the authority to grant one. In most practices, only the doctor can grant lower fees.
Sometimes the office manager can suggest payment plans. However, keep in mind, you will never be the doctor's favorite patient if you consistently ask for lower fees or special treatment in the payment department. If you truly need help with financing, do it with the greatest tact.
? And please, please if you remember nothing else I've said here, remember that your insurance is a contract between you and your insurance company. Your doctor files your insurance for you as a courtesy. It is not a requirement.
It is not their duty. It is not their fault if your insurance does not pay, (most times anyway.) You may be responsible for any balances left by your insurance. Just because your insurance does not pay all of your doctor's charges, does not mean your doctor charges too much. If there is a question about your insurance, offer to call the insurance company yourself. It is so time consuming for the office personnel to do this.
Sometimes they will need to, but you'll gain points with them if you do it yourself.
? And please know your insurance information. If you are going to a medical doctor, have your medical card with you for them to copy. If you are going to a dental office, know the difference between your medical and dental insurance and have the proper card available. Most dental policies are separate from the medical policy. Some vision policies are separate, also.
If you work for a large corporation or a large group, such as State or Federal employees, the office will probably know who is your insurance carrier, but have your card available for them for ID numbers, etc., from the card. If you do not know who handles your insurance, contact your Human Resources department for the information before your appointment. Or, if your doctor is referring you to a specialist, you can obtain your insurance information from your regular doctor to take to the specialist's office. They will love you for this.
? Which brings up the next point: reward any special favors. Bring goodies with you for the doctor and staff.
I've had patients bring the doctor a bottle of wine and a box of cookies for the staff. Most people are watching their weight, so fresh fruit is nice, too. One patient brought fresh strawberries, another fresh peaches in season. Bake them a cake. Bring a potted plant.
Trust me, they'll love you for it because it so rarely happens. If you do not have a chance to bring them anything, a written card to the doctor and staff with specific comments about how wonderful everyone was, is a great favorite, too. Praise the staff to the doctor if they do a good job and they'll be your friends forever.
? Do not wear strong perfume. I'm constantly amazed how often patients do this. Remember you are at a doctor's office.
People there are sick, hurting, or have some kind of malady. A vast majority of people gets headache from smelling strong perfume. You are never going to be a favorite patient nor are you going to get the most compassionate service if all the staff can think about is getting your smelly self out of their office as soon as humanly possible. Do you want to be a rush job? What if your doctor is allergic to your perfume? Mine is! And so are members of our staff. It will be noted in your chart because a nurse or assistant that can tolerate your smelly self will be assigned to you while those you make sick will avoid you.
The doctor may deliberately anger you just to get rid of you. You will not be treated well and may never know why because it is hard to tell a patient that they stink!
Enough said.
? Do not cry. Yeah you're hurting, or deathly sick, but please try not to cry. Doctors and staff will feel helpless and sad for you, but they'll also be relieved when you leave. Raw emotion is hard for any human to deal with and doctors and staff are no different.
? Do not whine, or complain about another doctor you've already seen. It could be the doctor's best friend. Or a staff member's friend. If you've been ?doctor shopping' and have seen several doctors in a short period of time, don't tell the new doctor that you've seen ?5 different doctors and can't find a good one'. You'll be pegged as a ?problem patient' in a heartbeat and won't be taken as seriously.
Be professional when talking about other doctors, not complaining.
? Keep religion and politics out of your conversations in the doctor's office. Period. Unless you know the affiliation of your doctor and/or staff matches yours from something they've said. I've seen a Baptist patient bring our Catholic doctor literature that conflicted with his beliefs. It created an uncomfortable situation.
And don't think just because you and everyone you know is fed up with your country's leaders, your doctor is also. He may be in a different financial situation than you are and has differing opinions.
With a little forethought and tact and lots of kindness, you can be one of your doctor's favorite patients. Now, to find that perfect doctor?.
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WorldSki Releases Early Booking Offers for 2006/07 Season
(ContentDesk) April 30, 2006 -- Leading independent Ski and Snowboard operator WorldSki have this week added some superb value early booking offers for the 2006/07 season.North America features heavily with some great accommodation only prices. Ski the Heavenly slopes around Lake Tahoe, California, enjoy the sunshine and make the most of prices as low as ?168 per person for a 7 night stay at the Lakeshore Lodge & Spa overlooking Americas most beautiful lake. Or head further north to the Canadian Rockies, and for ?198 per person, revel in the delights of Banff National Park whilst staying at Brewsters Mountain Lodge in downtown Banff. Closer to home they are offering a New Years break in Courchevel.
And not just Courchevel but Courchevel 1850, Europes place to be during the ski season, with fine restaurants, lively bars and the unrivalled skiing of the Trois Vallees ski area.
All this can be bought at the bargain price of ?211 per person for 7 nights, departing 30...
WorldSki Releases Early Booking Offers for 2006/07 Season
Life insurance > WorldSki Releases Early Booking Offers for 2006/07 Season
Foreign Dentists on New Portal
(ContentDesk) August 15, 2005 -- Since 2001, an increasing number of Danes have travelled abroad to have their teeth done. They find the dentist on a Danish website which is now available in English. OuchMyTooth have visited and approved dentists in several countries. Several clinics are visited, but only the best are selected to the site. Cheap and still qualityThough OuchMyTooth focuses on cheap dentistry, a low price is not the only parameter.
The clinics must fulfil certain criteria concerning sterilisation of equipment, guarantee, insurance and personal service. The prices are low due to lower wages and running costs in the countries. Moreover, regular visits at the clinics and patients' feedback ensure that OuchMyTooth can keep an eye on the dentists and their performance.Further information can be retrieved at e-mail protected from spam bots or (0045) 98 15 22 10.
Foreign Dentists on New Portal
Life insurance > Foreign Dentists on New Portal
Self Responsibility Drives Dahn Yoga Member to Healthy Living
(ContentDesk) November 10, 2005 -- With Dahn Yoga, Im convinced Ill live to be 150 and my kids are worried sick.
Thats the humor of Bea Sheridan of Albuquerque, New Mexico whose new passion is yoga.
A registered nurse for 48 years, Bea also holds a doctorate degree in Counseling and Health Education.Having a strong belief in self responsibility and naturopathic medicine, this 68 year old mother of three grown children has never carried health care insurance. Instead, she has always sought natural means of healing.It was at a Deepak Chopra seminar where she spotted a booth for Dahn Yoga. Chopra is widely acknowledged as one of the world's greatest leaders in the field of mind body medicine. The Dahn Yoga booth there offered aura readings -
the electromagnetic field surrounding objects.
Some people refer to this field as a bio-energy field. My aura reading was right on in terms of who I am and it compelled me to look into Dahn Yoga class offerings...
Self Responsibility Drives Dahn Yoga Member to Healthy Living
Life insurance > Self Responsibility Drives Dahn Yoga Member to Healthy Living
L.A Judge Rules Neuropsychologist Qualified for Expert Testimony in $6M Landmark Toxic Mold Case
Judge Warren Ettinger, Los Angeles Superior Court, ruled that Dr. Juan Manuel Gutierrez, Ph.D., Board Certified neuropsychologist may offer his expert opinion that exposure to toxic mold was the cause of a Plaintiff's permanent brain injury.In the case of Dee v PCS (case # No.LC057263), Plaintiff Darcee Dee, a former resident of Mammoth Park Towers in Sherman Oaks, California -- billed as "Luxury Apartment Homes, Completely Renovated" -- has filed for damages in a suit in Los Angeles Superior Court.
The defendants PCS Property Management LLP and 8611 Venice Blvd. Corp are either owned directly or indirectly by another LLP, whose principle is local PCS Telecommunication's magnate, Joe Fryzer.
The defendants own and manage 40 other high end luxury apartment buildings in Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, promoted with the motto: "We don't just say it, we mean it.
Better Living. Better Life".Attorney for Ms. Dee, Scott B. Whitenack, Esq. (AKA Scott B.
Stubblefield)...
L.A Judge Rules Neuropsychologist Qualified for Expert Testimony in $6M Landmark Toxic Mold Case
Life insurance > L.A Judge Rules Neuropsychologist Qualified for Expert Testimony in $6M Landmark Toxic Mold Case
Please Don't Put Adsense by Google on Your WebSite!
I haven't seen much buzz about Google's new Adsense (and Firefox)
referral program on the affiliate marketing forums have you? And I can tell you why. Those publishers who are getting nice Adsense checks don't want more publishers accessing Google's ad inventory. And you know what?
I am tempted to join them in saying:
Please Don't Put Adsense by Google on Your WebSite!
After all, why would you want to get a
a google adsense account? If you are like me, you certainly don't want
to get one.
Why take advantage of
google's leadership
in a whole new type of advertising.
And please, please do not under any circumstances become a Google Adsense publisher and
if someone becomes an Adsense publisher from your site, do not get paid $100 when they reach $100 in adsense earnings! You can send the check to me if you like!
Not bad eh?
You can implement...
Life insurance > Please Don't Put Adsense by Google on Your WebSite!
Good dog care is vital
Good dog care is vitalDog careAccepting responsibility of your new pet friend is truly serious business. Caring for your new best pet friend is rewarding with that I feel good feeling. Love and care is what we all want and our pet friends aren't any different. Teaching our pets tricks, buying toys, supplies, training, collars, crates, clothes is all part of loving kind dog care.The happiness and joy in watching our Charlie dog responding to new obedience house training seems to make us want to do much more for our lovable and charming friend. We've learned a lot about health problems and symptoms, the how to's of medication, dog nutrition and keeping him healthy.
Along with that we've also gotten a tooth brush for dental care. I mean it's no less than bringing up a little child. After all isn't that what puppies are? Little kids as well? You'll want to investigate training collars and crates to help you in the training issues and you'll find plenty of help on line. Tips and tricks...
Good dog care is vital
Life insurance > Good dog care is vital
Felten & Associates Insurance Agency, Located in Vero Beach, Florida, Announces their Hurricane Wilma planning
(ContentDesk) October 23, 2005 -- Felten & Associates insurance agency, located in Vero Beach, Florida, announces their Hurricane Wilma planning.Office Location:Felten & Associates is headquartered on Vero's barrier island at 2911 Cardinal Drive in Vero Beach, Florida. Depending on the final track and damage caused by Hurricane Wilma, it is possible that the Felten & Associates team will need to relocate their office temporarily. Felten & Associates expects to be open for business as soon as possible following the storm to process claims.
If they are unable to access their office on the barrier island for a short period of time after the storm, they will have a mobile claims unit in place in the parking lot at the McDonald's restaurant located at 1925 S. US Hwy 1, Vero Beach (across from Blockbuster).
Contact Information:Felten & Associates may normally be reached at (772) 231-2828.
If their normal telephone lines are unavailable, claims may be processed by...
Life insurance > Felten & Associates Insurance Agency, Located in Vero Beach, Florida, Announces their Hurricane Wilma planning
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