Just as I have foreseen, the patient who was injected with steroids for scorpion bite developed facial edema and generalized mild bloating in the upper and lower extremities. The hand where incision and drainage was done drained out pus up to yesterday. But the hand has markedly diminished in size except the fingers. I have seen scorpion bites where the whole surrounding skin sloughed off. What remained was bare ligaments and tissues. This entailed skin grafting and more expenses to the patient. Good that this patient did not have that. They had difficulty in going home because they paid a lot for the hospitalization including medicines.
While managing this patient, I came up with the idea why not develop a RETAINERSHIP PROGRAM where at Php50 per employee per month, the employees of the company could have free consultation together with their first degree relatives. I would charge PHIC coverage only (medicare ion the States) and no extra in the professional fees including surgical procedures. Most health insurance in the Philippines charge each member hand and foot ( about 1/8 of their take home salaries). And they block any coverage on preexisting diseases which are most often the complain of these people. They seldom get sick and if ever, what they spend in the hospital for medicines and daily room rates do not consume the usual annual fees of these HMO'S. The Philippines Health Insurance Corp covers room and 1/3 of surgical procedures with a minimal fee to the physician/surgeon which is good enough if we don't change our cars yearly. PHIC covers a very minimal amount on medicines. That is why, this is the main problem of employees when they get admitted. I was thinking what if I facilitate credit account for them in accredited pharmacies where they can charge their medicines and pay for them in small amounts ( monthly salary deductions for instance). A pharmacy I know would readily agree with this arrangement because it is a captured market and they would be assured of payment because the companies where these employees work will see to that. What do you think?
While managing this patient, I came up with the idea why not develop a RETAINERSHIP PROGRAM where at Php50 per employee per month, the employees of the company could have free consultation together with their first degree relatives. I would charge PHIC coverage only (medicare ion the States) and no extra in the professional fees including surgical procedures. Most health insurance in the Philippines charge each member hand and foot ( about 1/8 of their take home salaries). And they block any coverage on preexisting diseases which are most often the complain of these people. They seldom get sick and if ever, what they spend in the hospital for medicines and daily room rates do not consume the usual annual fees of these HMO'S. The Philippines Health Insurance Corp covers room and 1/3 of surgical procedures with a minimal fee to the physician/surgeon which is good enough if we don't change our cars yearly. PHIC covers a very minimal amount on medicines. That is why, this is the main problem of employees when they get admitted. I was thinking what if I facilitate credit account for them in accredited pharmacies where they can charge their medicines and pay for them in small amounts ( monthly salary deductions for instance). A pharmacy I know would readily agree with this arrangement because it is a captured market and they would be assured of payment because the companies where these employees work will see to that. What do you think?
Good intensions Doc. This was how HMO's originally got started back in the late 1980 in the U.S. A group of physicians banned together to cover the basic medical needs for a large company such as SMC. Someone like yourself might be able to organize such a program here locally. You will need an out patient facility to do minor surgery procedures, and as you said a pharmacy setup to meet the drug needs of the participating employers.
ReplyDeletePersonally it sounds like a lot of work and a logistical nightmare. You are suppose to be thinking about slowing down, not taking on more projects.