While we are relatively unaffected by snow in our area, the same cannot be said of areas west and northwest of us. We are close to the NY state line, so a lot of the New York state weather is closer to us than Erie. These areas generally see 'lake effect' snow being on the eastern shore of Lake Erie. Once the lake freezes over, it won't be such a big issue.
There were a lot of news stories coming out of Erie today, what with two feet of snow on the ground and the snow is still falling with another foot possible on Sunday.
Here, however, it was quiet. Not a lot of snow, but enough to cover the ground.
Tim hunted today, and he wound up getting two doe, which was unexpected. It also meant that he needed help dragging them out. I received a text from him. His texts are succinct and often short on details. I got word that he needed help. I went down, expecting that we'd be working in the heated garage. I knew it wouldn't be hot, but I did expect that I wouldn't need to bundle up in layers because I wouldn't be outside. Silly me. I was outside. Tim needed help dragging. I nearly froze to death in the wind, but we got it done, two of them on the truck and back to the garage. By then it was dark, so we got done what we could, but we'll have to go back tomorrow morning to finish up.
Still. Two doe. And big ones, too. We're lucky for that.
We came home and it took me forever to warm up. I was bundled up in layers with a cat stretched across me. Tim stretched out on his couch, lounging in shorts and an open shirt, taking a well deserved break. I don't get it. I'm still cold.
Here's something that I will throw out for you to ponder.
What do you think of 'concierge medicine'?
There is a orthopedic surgeon who is part of a very successful practice. If you go to him, he will do you surgery. If you want special care and attention, you are offered the option of paying $5000 fee. This allows you to pick your surgery date. It gives you the ability to get in touch with his practice 24 hours a day. It provides you with an ice water pump to keep the joint cooled as it heals. He has a big party, renting out a tent during one of the summer events in Erie, which allows his patients to have a big picnic while listening to live music from the summer event. He also does podcasts, featuring videos from surgery and interviews with patients. It is called 'Hey, Saw-bones: My Story. My Passion'.
A woman who paid the $5000 says that it is no different from buying a car. You can have a vehicle that takes you from point A to point B, but if you want a car with all the bells and whistles, you're going to pay for it. She believes this is the wave of the future.
I'm curious what you think.
Congrats on the deer, it must feel good to know you will have meat for probably over a year. The deer here in Florida are very small, people go to Georgia or more north to hunt. My kids have a hunting camp in Ga.
ReplyDeleteYes. We've got our meat. That is a good feeling. That takes a lot of pressure off Tim.
DeleteRegarding the orthopedic surgery, in Australia you have the option of having private health cover as opposed to the government health service (Medicare) which covers emergency care. I broke .my shoulder earlier this year and had to have surgery which was done quickly (since it was urgent) but was in a private hospital. The main selling point is when.it comes to elective (non urgent) surgery in which case you can be on the waitimg list for years. Is it fair? No. But I have not that well off friends who will scrimp amd save for that cover to avoid that.
ReplyDeleteCan I ask how much it costs to get concierge care there?
DeleteDr Shonky! Is ice water really necessary for pain relief and healing? We've seen it all before, showmanship medicine that dies like a punctured balloon.
ReplyDeleteThe ice water machine is awesome, but I got mine through Medicare with no extra costs.
DeleteGood to know, Susanna. Keeping ice on a deep tissue injury does keep the swelling down and it also numbs pain, Andrew. The woman that I know just used ice packs. Her significant other kept them switched out for her.
DeleteAnd, by the way, your snow made the news here in Australia!
ReplyDeleteLOL. I'm not surprised, Barbara. We're under yet another snow warning until Tuesday morning. Nothing dramatic here, but they have closed the Lakewood Mall just over the state line. In Erie, 'Black Friday' shoppers were trapped in the Millcreek mall due to the amount of snow received. 37 to 43 inches in some places and the snow has been extended until Tuesday AM, the last I heard.
DeleteThere is something about those doctors/sùrgeons/physicians who crassly shout their services all over YouTube that makes something inside my head scream "Charlatan!".
ReplyDeleteIt is just so alien to those of us over here used to the quiet dignity of medical professionals.
It's good to know that my thoughts on it are not a one-off.
DeleteNow that's what you call Snow with a capital S.
ReplyDeleteIf it happened here nothing would be moving for weeks!
Snow, with a capital S. And a capital N and O and W. Throw on a few exclamation marks too. It's crazy that an hour from us in one direction and a half hour away in another, the weather is catastrophic...while we sit here relatively unscathed.
DeleteI find the stuff about the doctor really bizarre!
ReplyDeleteI immediately thought so. I mean, he might be an excellent doctor, but I wouldn't use him just because I think his main priority is money not patient care.
DeleteI agree with JayCee. There's something suspicious and off-key about medical professionals banging the drum about their special services.
ReplyDeleteIs it $5000 per condition or per annum? The 'big tent' would put me right off.
Everything grinds to a halt here with just a slight change in temperature. I exaggerate, but only a little.
I assumed it was for condition, but I don't know if once you're 'special', you stay special forever.
DeleteHmm, I have strong feelings about concierge health care. It feels as if it these kinds of doctors' Hippocratic Oath is, "I will do no harm, but it will cost you extra."
ReplyDeleteMy first thought is, "Why I would never..." followed by 'why would I use a doctor that will not prioritize my health care because I am a tightwad?
DeleteCongratulations on the two doe.
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty nice...but a lot of work!
DeleteTwo does! Nice. I much prefer that meat to a buck.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you weren't buried up in snow. Came to your blog this morning to see if you were okay. Whew. We have a little covering, pretty but no need for a shovel.
About that doctor: no way would I go to him. First, that $5000 is going to come from your pocket, no insurance will cover such foolishness. All those bells and whistles won't improve your healing process. I surely hope it is not the future for medicine because the have-nots will be left in the dust---again.
I should add, I got an ice water pump, compression sleeves for my legs, some ice packs, a walker and a cane. I can call my doctors office anytime and leave a message during after hours, and they are prompt about returning calls. I also picked my surgery date. It was February when I was to I needed the knee replaced, and I picked early October. So that $5000 wouldn't have got me any more special treatment than I already got, and that party/picnic? I wouldn't go anyway. It sounds like a real rip-off to me.
DeleteAdding one more thing, Debby. There are several knee replacement support groups on Facebook. I wish I had found them before my surgery. I have learned a lot, and it was so helpful to have a community of people who have been through this and have experienced what I did. Even most doctors haven't had a tkr, so they don't really know what it's like, lol. I got some great tips and advice from the group I am in.
DeleteI don't think that I would be using that practice, although one of the doctors is very good. He is a friend of my sister's and did the knee replacement for my brother in law. He also did the surgery on my friend and she is quite happy with the results.
DeleteI had to wait about 9 months to have both my knees replaced and they were both bone on bone at the beginning, so if I had had that option I would have gone for it just to get it over with, but hey I didn’t pay a cent because I am Canadian.. you will have pain for a little while but it was all worth it. Don't wait Debby if you need it done. All I can say is you must do the exercises afterward to get the best result. We have no snow yet it Toronto and are pretty much north of you. I think our weather is much like yours. Gigi
ReplyDeleteDid you have them done simultaneously??? That sounds awful. How did you get around?
DeleteIn our house, it is the female who is hot. It's not that I am particularly cold, but I need to layer up a bit in the house to accommodate the lady.
ReplyDeleteAt present that doctor's practice would not fly here, but who knows about the future as the Cons love to privatize things.
I got chilled to the bone thanks to a strong west wind and a long deer drag. I didn't warm up all night.
DeleteAny orthopedic doctor that would try something like that is, to me, just another greedy bastard!
ReplyDeleteYou're exactly right.
DeleteLOL. Marcia, I worry about you sometimes. Don't bury those emotions. Tell us how you really feel. All joking aside, though. Yep. I think you're right.
DeleteOh, Debby. If you come down with pneumonia and don't make it out alive, who will cook Tim's venison for him? Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI really do not know what to say about that doctor. I am sure that he has many patients who gladly pay for what he asks and revel in the special attention and perks of being able to afford that sort of care. He's not forcing anyone to buy the deluxe package but it is all rather sleazy sounding.
No. He's not forcing anyone. I don't begrudge anyone who wants to fork out big bucks to be special. Whatever floats their boat. My question is what if you were someone who didn't have (or didn't want to pay) the extra $5000? I can say personally, I would not. So...being the frugal soul I am, would I trust my care to this man? I just don't see that I would. He may be very good at what he does, but I can say for a fact that I don't want to be treated by a doctor who would not see my care as a priority.
DeleteAmen.
DeleteI suppose there have always been specialist doctors that people pay a lot extra for but I don't live in that realm so I have never really thought about it before. I've gotten good care through my Medicare plan so I can't complain. I'm not impressed with doctors who would offer all of those extras. Sounds like snake-oil salesmen...
ReplyDeleteMy bullshit alarms were going off big time. That $5000 is on top of any insurance you have. Straight out of pocket. The thing is there is another doctor in the practice who is older and by all accounts, very good at what he does. He does not treat his patients using this system. She was well pleased with her results.
DeleteIn a way, "concierge medicine" is what exists here in the UK for people who pay privately. While most people use the NHS (relatively long waiting times, crowded waiting rooms, and impersonal doctors) some pay directly for the privilege of being seen quickly. I'm not sure it's a GOOD thing, but it's not unprecedented. I've done it.
ReplyDeleteTwo does! That sounds like a whole lot of deer-cleaning. Glad you're escaping the worst of the snow.
Yes, it is a whole lot of work. We have made an agreement to stick to one at a time.
DeleteConcierge medicine sounds like an American thing. If the extras help healing, shouldn't all patients have that same treatment? Very Canadian of me, I know:)
ReplyDeleteHa, Pixie...I guess that's my problem. I must be Canadian.
DeleteWe considered concierge care when we moved to Spokane. Surprisingly, it's an underserved market, waits for a first appointment for a GP are measured in months. Then once you're in with a large practice (which is pretty much all there is), you "belong" to that doctor and no one else will see you. So, it you didn't like that doctor, you have to start the process over. However, the single concierge guy in the area is a an old guy and it would would entail a 30 mile round trip to see him.
ReplyDeleteThe other issue was cost, it's November and we still have not made our Medicare deductibles, we don't go to the doctor a lot; yet, anyway. That can always change.
We have kind of an underserved market here as well, and it just does not sit well with me that people would be charged extra to be a priority. It just seems that triage should be prioritizing care, not money.
DeleteThis is absolutely nuts as people who cannot afford the $5000.00 are left out. These practices take away physicians and there are fewer physicians to treat the rest of us. Social justice? These guys have never heard of it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be just the one doctor out of the practice that has this 'special' service. You've hit the nail square on the head for me. In my area, I know that for some specialties, the wait is weeks. Sometimes even months. So...you pay that doctor his $5000. What if you are one of his patients who did NOT opt for the $5000 special treatment. What if you have been waiting for a couple months for your surgery...and then suddenly, one of the special patients picks the day you were scheduled for. Does this mean that you are 'bumped' and waiting even longer for that surgery? How is that fair? And the whole podcast thing just seems icky to me. I know of one of his 'special' patients whose fondest desire is to be on one of his podcasts.
DeleteJust personally, I think that the doctor is more focused on his image than your health. My daughter was a traveling nurse about 20 years ago and worked for a few months at a very exclusive hospital in California. All upscale furniture including antiques and fresh flowers in all the rooms. Bodyguards for certain government officials and celebrities. Gourmet chefs and meals. The problem was when someone had an emergency situation. The nurses would have to move heavy dressers to get at the hidden plug ins and time was lost because equipment was not kept in the patients rooms. The patient meals were fabulous, medical care not so much.
ReplyDeleteThat's an eye opener, isn't it? Yes. All I could think of when I heard about this doctor was Doctor Oz.
DeleteI have not heard of that type of concierge medicine, where the doctor is a specialist such as an orthopedic surgeon. What I am familiar with is more of a primary care provider to whom you pay a yearly (hefty) fee. That doc does not take insurance for your primary care visits (it comes out of your fee, although I guess there are exceptions for drugs, tests, etc.), you get to see him/her pretty much as you need to, and he/she is on 24 hour call for you. Also, he/she will be your liaison with specialists' offices, e.g. an orthopedic, dermatologist, internist. etc. and will even go to those appointments with you. I guess I don't have a problem with this, although it's another way it seems our health care system gives the advantage to those with the most money. I don't love it, but I have no right to begrudge someone paying for what's important to them if they have the money. The guy you describe? That doesn't pass the smell test with me.
ReplyDeleteDid you see his podcasts? Been thinking about you, Bobert. Good to see you here.
DeleteYou know Bob. I was washing dishes and thinking about everyone's comments and something popped into my mind: your statement that you do not have the right to begrudge anyone what is important to them if they have the money. What about the inverse of that? That no one should be less a priority to their medical practice because the don't.
DeleteYep that is a good question. And I guess it's why the doc you describe I find offensive, creating a tier system for his patients. The concierge model I describe in my reply is a fee-for-service contractual arrangement and all patients of that doc, I assume, receive the same service they pay for. As I said, I don't love it, but maybe easier to swallow. Honestly have never looked into it that closely, so I could be wrong about some of it.
DeleteSounds like you won't have to worry about a meat shortage anytime soon!
ReplyDeleteI have some first-hand experience with "concierge " medicine. Found a good internal medicine doctor back in 1990. He discovered a bleeding ulcer cause of anemia that had managed to delude two previous doctors. Prescribed appropriate meds and a long-time problem was alleviated. Great. I stayed with this wonderful doctor for 25+ years. He saw me through several major surgeries, directing me to appropriate surgeons. Now, we had a bit different relationship because our daughter worked at the major hospital in the area. She knew the doctors from working with them there. We knew about their families, etc. During the last few years of the 25, my doc changed the location of his office twice. Because, he said, high rent was hurting his bottom line badly.
Then, there came a letter in the mail. Because of his continually decreasing income, he had decided to go the concierge route. Patients who stayed with him would be expected to pay--I think about $375--quarterly in addition to whatever insurance they had. Otherwise, his practice would be closed to them. Needless to say, I was devastated! Met with him in his office. He told me that no way could he compete in the playing field the way things were going. What happened is big money came in and was buying up doctors' practices. Many of them. This allowed special bonds to be formed--- radiology, labwork, etc. were all lined up, with, of course, cheaper rates. Private practices could not compete. (Like Walmart vs. the "Mom & Pop" stores.) Doc said his wife. who worked for the public schools as a sports therapist, was making more money than his office! I cried. He gave me Kleenex.
He tried to extend special rates to me--- No way could I afford it, since both my husband and I would have to pay individual fees. But his lawyers said there could be no special deals. So I lost my wonderful doctor. He did have a big get-together and invited all of his patients. His wife and daughters were there. He explained to us that joining a group was not for him. He did not want, could not abide, being told what treatments and meds he was allowed to prescribe.
After some years with a less good one, I am now ok with my current doc. Who DOES NOT own his practice. He is an employee who works for a large group.
Daughter did go with the concierge plan and has remained with original doc. Her income much higher than mine! She has really enjoyed the perks of quick response, just call and ask for prescriptions, etc. His patients have his cell number!
Here again, money runs the show. Those who have it get the best, those who don't, nevermind................. By the way, I am in TX.
Ronald Reagan was the one who enacted legislation to allow hospitals to make profits. Before that, any money made needed to be turned back into the business. As soon as health care become a for profit entity, patient care no longer remained the focus. There you have it, Rose: One woman's opinion.
DeleteWow! I've never heard of concierge medicine. It kind of makes me nervous.
ReplyDeleteTwo large does to carve and store? Wow! That is a LOT of work! I kind of remember your taking it somewhere to have it butchered? And I was complaining of having to carve and pack up 1 turkey!
No. We process it ourselves. We bought a meat saw.
DeleteReading about how cold you continued to be after you got home and dressed warm, you didn't mention a hot cup of cocoa, a heating pad, or hot fabric bag of rice to get the warmth going. My last roommate in college was a diabetic, and she said that she couldn't get warm without such things, it was like insulating an ice cube if she just added more layers. Good Luck next time Tim texts you after hunting!
ReplyDeleteI think there is a place in this world for concierge medicine. Pre ACA, my mom was uninsurable according to big insurance companies and she paid for concierge primary care from a doctor who was doing a soft retirement. It was expensive and required cash up front but better than being uninsured.
ReplyDeleteMe personally though, I like to obtain medicine through normal channels. I'm not into gimmicks and I'm rarely someone who needs or even wants the extra "bells and whistles".