The average cost of a gynecologist visit is usually covered for patients who are insured, but the addition of diagnostic testing can quickly drive up costs. This is a particular concern for patients who are worried about insurance coverage, high deductibles or co-payments, or those who choose self-pay options.
According to NPR, patients have been visiting their primary care physicians less frequently as out-of-pocket costs have risen. And as many gynecologists already know, an OB/GYN functions as a primary care provider for a substantial number of patients. How can gynecologists work to ensure their costs are low enough so those patients can stay in the healthcare system and maintain good health?
Knowing the Costs for Your Patients
Unexpected medical bills can cause financial havoc for individuals or families. As a provider, it is important to know how procedures might be priced differently according to where they are performed and to share this information with patients. For instance, an MRI at a stand-alone imaging center might cost $400 to $500, whereas at a hospital, the same procedure could cost several thousand dollars, according to New Choice Health.
In the same vein, patients can receive unexpected bills when laboratory charges are declined because a lab was out of their network.
Private practice owners should have regular conversations with their billing departments to see whether there are any charges being consistently declined; when these trends appear, it is important to look at alternatives and discuss those options with patients.
Using Ultrasound as an Alternative to MRI
As early as 2012, the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) began recommending "Ultrasound First," citing evidence that ultrasound is just as good, if not better, than MRI scans at imaging the pelvic area. AIUM also pointed out that CT or MRI scans of the pelvic structures were often followed by ultrasound, due to the shortcomings of the initial imaging technique. Ultrasound is rapidly becoming the gold standard for diagnosing conditions such as adenomyosis and endometriosis, especially deep infiltrating endometriosis.
That being said, diagnostic imaging is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Physicians should be prepared to discuss these costs with each patient, offering a lower-cost alternative when appropriate. It is also important to counsel patients that depending on the result, another test may be needed and they could end up paying for both an ultrasound and an MRI. But, if the ultrasound is able to rule out the need for more costly tests, the patient may be satisfied with this possibility.
Considering Other Cost-Saving Measures
When it comes to helping your patients save money, a healthy private practice is key. An efficient practice that focuses on quality improvement will have better outcomes and, ultimately, lower costs for patients. Other measures to reduce patients' costs include using telemedicine options when appropriate and ensuring that samples sent to outside laboratories are in-network for the patient.
Although there is not much any physician can do to reduce the basic, average cost of a gynecologist visit, performing tests as recommended and being prepared to consider alternatives are a few ways to help. Keeping an open dialogue with your patients about cost will assure them that you are concerned with their well-being, fostering both trust and patient satisfaction.
